b'CELEBRATING CULTURE IN ALL ITS DIVERSITYThe legacy of Zena and Leon KossarZena and Leon Kossar had a vision. They believed that Canadas strength lay in its diverse ethnocultural communities and their lifes work was devoted to strengthening and celebrating our cultural mosaic. Both Zena and Leon were born into Ukrainian immigrant families in Arran and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, respectively. They met, however, in Toronto, Ontario, where they embarked on a journey that would forever change the face of the city, making it a global role model for multiculturalism. As a reporter, Leon wrote about the many cultural communities that formed with the influx of European immigrants after the world wars. Noticing the isolation of these communities, Zena came up with a creative solution to build bridges with a celebration of cultures. This solution in 1969 became the annual Metro International Caravan, a popular week-long festival that showcased the food, music, and cultural traditions of Torontos immigrant population. The festival had a 35-year run with Leon and Zena at the helm until Leons death in 2001. At its peak it featured more than 50 pavilions and attracted close to two million visitors each year. By the mid-1970s, Caravan had become Torontos calling card and garnered international media attention with coverage in Time magazine, National Geographic, Washington Post and New York Times. An elegant, sharp-witted, determined woman, Zena loved music, food, and conversation. She never complained about hardship and embraced every day as a blessing. Her energy and excitement inspired many of the tremendous achievements of this inseparable couple including a Canadian National Exhibition cultural extravaganza over 12 seasons titled Nationbuilders and the organization of special performing groups that represented Canada at the Mexico and Montreal Summer Olympic Games. Zena maintained her positive outlook and intense curiosity about life until her death in 2019.Zena and Leon Kossar shared a love for music, particularly choral and Ukrainian liturgical music. Leon studied music and became a proficient musician. He sang, arranged music and was one of several conductors of the Ukrainian National Federations Winnipeg community choir which subsequently evolved into the famed Olexander Koshetz Choir. The Leon and Zena Kossar Music Fund established with a bequest from the late Zena Kossar will honour the shared passion of its benefactors in perpetuity by supporting projects that help future generations experience their heritage and celebrate their identity through the power of music. May their legacy continue to inspire the values of inclusivity and cultural pride among future generations of Ukrainian Canadians. There was a tremendous curiosity. People did not know how to reach out, or how to talk to their neighbours. Caravan made it easy for them to cross boundaries. -DAVID CROMBIE,Mayor of Toronto 1972-197842SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT / SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT /43'