“Although this project is one of cultural preservation, it is also an invitation to participate in telling the story. With today’s global community this project helps to bring us closer together by creating a sense of belonging.” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn
The rich and diverse history of Ukrainians in Canada is the focus of a creative art installation titled Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic, which is currently on display at the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) in Edmonton. The inaugural exhibit was officially unveiled on April 27, 2025, with a community celebration.
The afternoon was filled with joyful Ukrainian dance and music performed by the talented Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir, bringing together friends, family, and generations in celebration of Ukrainian Canadian heritage.
The Shevchenko Foundation (TSF) has been a proud major funding partner in this project since its inception. Addressing guests at the unveiling, TSF Director Roman Soltykevych stated, “TSF is thrilled to have played a part in this success story that will resonate with many generations of Canadians, evoking pride in a creative, diverse, and resilient Ukrainian Canadian community.”
Roman Soltykevych also thanked the RAM for hosting the inaugural exhibit. “The history of Ukrainians in Canada is integral to the history, development, and future of this province. As the community is still reeling from last week’s devastating fire at the Ukrainian Cultural Village, we are heartened by your recognition of the Ukrainian community’s contribution to Alberta and Canada.”
Six years in the making, the installation features 2,674 printing blocks that have been masterfully woven into a display that spans 8 feet in height and 40 feet in width. The blocks were selected from over 5,000 that were once used by the newspaper Ukraiinskyi Holos (The Ukrainian Voice), Promin, and other Ukrainian Canadian publications to illustrate a newspaper or magazine article, or a chapter in a book. The blocks illuminate over a century of cultural, religious, and political events, and recognize the people who made it all possible.
Slated for the dumpster when the Winnipeg-based Trident Press closed its doors in 2018, they were rescued by artist Drs. Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn and Roman Yereniuk. With the help of a creative team including Theodora Harasymiw, Sylvie Ellis, Royden Mills, Mich Cheladyn, Sarah Thomson, Eric Fincham, and many community volunteers, over 4,000 blocks, the oldest dating back to 1919, were cleaned, researched, catalogued, and categorized.
The content has also been digitized enabling visitors to identify people in the photos by scanning the block using a mobile device.
This invaluable historical collection pays tribute to the history of Ukrainian print culture and photojournalism in Canada. Trident Press (1910-2018) was one of Canada’s first and longest-lasting Ukrainian/English publishers in Canada. Its weekly publication, “The Ukrainian Voice,” was distributed across Canada.
Reflecting on the work, artist Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn commented, “Although this project is one of cultural preservation, it is also an invitation to participate in telling the story. With today’s global community this project helps to bring us closer together by creating a sense of belonging.”
TSF congratulates Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn on the realization of this unique exhibit. Larisa has a long history with TSF that had previously funded her exhibit “Embroidered Memories.” Larisa has also been involved with one of TSF’s artist engagement projects since inception over 20 years ago – the Taras Shevchenko Commemorative Bookmark, serving as an advisor and adjudicator.
Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic is on exhibit at the Royal Alberta Museum until June 22. The modular installation will then travel across the country with stops in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax, and Ottawa.
Visit the website of the University of Alberta Kule Folklore Centre for a history of the exhibit and a photo timeline documenting its creation.