AUUC Vancouver's 2024 Malanka Celebration

It was another sold-out Ukrainian New Year’s celebration for AUUC Vancouver’s annual Malanka celebration. With last minute seating upgrades to accommodate the high demand for tickets, over 150 people across the greater Vancouver area congregated at the Ukrainian Cultural Center to enjoy a night filled with captivating performances, delicious Ukrainian food, and a live band (The Silver Stars) to dance attendees into the New Year. The night started with The Vancouver Ukrainian Folk Orchestra playing the cocktail hour, inviting guests into a warm atmosphere that buzzed with excitement for the show to follow. After a traditional singing of “Dobriy Vechir” from the Barvinok Choir, the Dovbush Dancers took the stage to perform “Ukrainochka”, and welcome guests with a traditional offering of bread and salt. The concert continued and featured all cultural groups including the senior dancers apart of the Dovbush School of Ukrainian Dance. After guests indulged in their dinner, the night was off! Various fundraising activities occurred such as a key cabinet where guests paid for a key in hopes to win the prize basket that featured items such as Malanka 2025 tickets, spicy chili vodka, and our famous home-made pyrohys. A toonie toss for a bottle of vodka and specialty drinks at the bar also rung in money for charity, of which over $3,500 was raised and donated toward humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The Dovbush Dancers ran another successful silent auction thanks to generous donors (listed below). The most anticipated event of the night is always the kolomeyka where not one person could be seen sitting – everyone danced and clapped for the brave souls who would enter the kolomeyka circle to show off their very best dance moves. As the New Year rang in, guests left with bellies full, prizes in hand, and hearts happy.

It was another incredibly successful Malanka that was received with the utmost praise and anticipation toward next year’s celebration.

Sponsor:

Lakes, Whyte LLP - Thank you for your generous donation!

https://lakeswhyte.com/

Donors:

The Great Tea Wall // https://www.greatwalltea.com/

Canadians Baseball // https://www.milb.com/vancouver

Zazou Hair Salon // https://www.zazou.ca/

Forest Fairy Books and Toys // https://shoplynnvalley.com/stores/forest-fairy-books-and-toys/

Stanley Park Brewing // https://www.stanleyparkbrewing.com/

The Sandbar // https://www.vancouverdine.com/sandbar/

Dometic // https://www.dometic.com/en/outdoor

Daniel Fung – Life Coaching // https://www.whatareyouafearof.com/

BC Liquor store // https://www.bcliquorstores.com/?utm_campaign=&adgroup=&utm_content=689654379514&utm_term=bc%20liquor&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1K-zBhBIEiwAWeCOF6mhlU6t5mympYfMvzVVvkTa18JedEo7wuH8D3PCFOd62GwnBLFqqRoCtZQQAvD_BwE

Coast Coal Harbour Hotel by APA // https://www.coasthotels.com/coast-coal-harbour-vancouver-hotel-by-apa?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1K-zBhBIEiwAWeCOF2IRMRtdVKrOyjfabzOXU7SlRkfqVTh3te-XghTgA9WS5mpO60EwqhoCajQQAvD_BwE

Cineplex // https://www.cineplex.com/

Thank you to all our donors who helped us fundraise money for Ukraine!