About Us
Our Youth Ambassadors for 2026
Meet Mariana and Mykola. As Youth Ambassadors for the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion, they proudly represent the next generation of Manitoba’s Ukrainian community. Through their involvement in dance, youth organizations, volunteer service, and cultural activities, they celebrate and share Ukrainian traditions while encouraging others to become active participants in community life. Together, they embody the enthusiasm, dedication, and cultural pride that will carry these traditions forward for generations to come.
Mariana Marchenko
2026 Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion Youth Ambassador
For Mariana Marchenko, Ukrainian culture is more than a tradition—it is a community, a source of pride, and an important part of everyday life.
A student at River East Collegiate, Mariana is actively involved both at school and within Winnipeg’s vibrant Ukrainian community. Through her participation in CYMK and the Plast Ukrainian Youth Association, she has developed lasting friendships, leadership skills, and a deeper appreciation for the traditions and values that connect generations of Ukrainian Canadians.
One of Mariana’s greatest passions is Ukrainian dance. As a member of Junior Rusalka UNF, she enjoys the opportunity to perform at cultural events and festivals while sharing Ukrainian traditions with audiences throughout the community. Dance has taught her the importance of dedication, teamwork, and self-expression, while allowing her to celebrate her heritage in a meaningful and creative way.
Giving back to the community is equally important to Mariana. Throughout the year, she volunteers at a variety of Ukrainian community events and festivals, including Folklorama, where she enjoys meeting new people and helping create memorable experiences for visitors. She appreciates being part of events that bring communities together and showcase the rich traditions, culture, and hospitality of Ukraine.
When she is not dancing or volunteering, Mariana enjoys spending time with friends and family and staying involved in school and community activities. She values opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute wherever she can.
As a 2026 Youth Ambassador for the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion, Mariana is honoured to represent the community that has played such an important role in her life. She looks forward to welcoming visitors to the pavilion and sharing the music, dance, traditions, and rich cultural pride that continue to connect generations of Ukrainians. She hopes every guest leaves with a greater appreciation for Ukraine’s heritage and a few wonderful memories of their own.
Mykola Yereniuk
2026 Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion Youth Ambassador
Whether he is teaching dance, volunteering in the community, serving at church, or competing in sports, Mykola Yereniuk brings enthusiasm, energy, and a genuine passion for Ukrainian culture to everything he does.
An honour student at Garden City Collegiate and a graduate of the Ukrainian bilingual program, Mykola has been actively involved in Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community from a young age. He serves as the lead altar server at the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and is a dedicated member of the CYMK Ukrainian Youth Association, where he enjoys participating in community events and helping strengthen connections among young people.
Dance has been an important part of Mykola’s life and cultural journey. As a member of the Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Company and an instructor with the Rozmai School of Dance, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with younger dancers while continuing to develop as a performer himself. Through dance, he has gained valuable experiences, lasting friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Ukrainian traditions.
Outside of the Ukrainian community, Mykola is passionate about athletics and the outdoors. He enjoys a wide range of sports and activities, including badminton, tennis, wakeboarding, and downhill skiing. His positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges have helped him become a natural leader among his peers.
As a 2026 Youth Ambassador for the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion, Mykola is proud to represent a community that has provided him with countless opportunities to learn, serve, and grow. He looks forward to welcoming visitors to the pavilion and sharing the traditions, culture, and hospitality that make the Ukrainian community so vibrant and welcoming.
Visitors can expect to be greeted by Mykola’s friendly smile, warm hospitality, and contagious enthusiasm—qualities that showcase the pride, dedication, and generosity of Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community.
Our Adult Ambassadors for 2026
Meet Jeff and Lily. While their journeys have taken different paths, both share a deep commitment to celebrating and preserving Ukrainian culture. Jeff has spent decades inspiring others through education, dance, and community leadership, while Lily connects people through storytelling, digital media, travel, and a love of Ukrainian cuisine. Together, they represent the diverse talents, experiences, and cultural pride that make Winnipeg's Ukrainian community so vibrant and welcoming.
Jeff Kozak
2026 Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion Adult Ambassador
For Jeff Kozak, Ukrainian culture has never been simply a hobby—it has been a lifelong journey of learning, teaching, performing, and sharing traditions with others.
A proud fifth-generation Ukrainian Canadian, Jeff was born and raised in Winnipeg, with family roots in rural Manitoba dating back to 1906. His connection to Ukrainian culture began at an early age through the Ukrainian bilingual program, bandura lessons at the Manitoba School of Bandura, and a lifelong involvement in Ukrainian dance. Over the years, he danced with groups including Holy Eucharist Parish, the Ukrainian Veterans Branch 141, Suzirya at Prosvita, and Rusalka, experiences that helped shape his appreciation for Ukrainian music, folklore, and storytelling.
While Jeff enjoyed performing, he discovered an even greater passion in teaching. Beginning at just fifteen years old, he started instructing Ukrainian dance and has spent decades helping dancers of all ages develop confidence, skills, and a deeper appreciation for their heritage. From church groups and community programs to founding a dance school in Hadashville, Manitoba, and most recently teaching with the Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Company, Jeff continues to inspire new generations both on and off the stage.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba with degrees in Economics and Education, Jeff has spent the past twenty-two years teaching within the Ukrainian bilingual program in the Sunrise School Division. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom through volunteer initiatives focused on preserving and sharing Ukrainian history, including Holodomor education projects and contributions to programming at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Jeff's connection to the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion spans many years as a performer, volunteer, Assistant Pavilion Coordinator, Pavilion Coordinator, and Reservations volunteer. He understands firsthand the dedication required to create the Folklorama experience and remains passionate about welcoming visitors to celebrate Ukrainian culture.
As a 2026 Adult Ambassador, Jeff is honoured to represent a community that has given him so much throughout his life. He looks forward to sharing the traditions, performances, and hospitality that make the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion such a special destination during Folklorama.
When asked what he is most looking forward to this summer, his answer is simple: “As long as there’s borshch, I’ll be happy.” A devoted Blue Bombers fan, lover of Ukrainian folklore traditions such as Kupalo and Malanka, and holder of a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Jeff continues to find new ways to tell stories through culture, community, and dance.
Liliya (Lily) Medynska
2026 Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion Adult Ambassador
For Liliya “Lily” Medynska, culture is best experienced through people, stories, and of course, great food.
Originally from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, Lily immigrated to Winnipeg with her parents in 2002 and has proudly maintained a strong connection to her Ukrainian heritage ever since. Through dance, community involvement, travel, and storytelling, she has found countless ways to celebrate the traditions that continue to shape her life today.
Dance played a central role in Lily’s Ukrainian journey for more than two decades. Beginning with the UNF School of Dance and later joining the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, she spent eleven years performing throughout Manitoba, across Canada, and internationally in destinations including New York, Peru, Ukraine, Israel, and Croatia. Although she officially retired her red boots in 2024, the friendships, experiences, and cultural pride gained through dance remain among her most treasured memories.
Lily holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a diploma in Creative Communications from Red River College Polytechnic. After several years working in public relations, she pursued a unique opportunity alongside her husband Josh, whom she met during her studies. Together they now create digital content full-time, highlighting Winnipeg’s vibrant culinary scene and sharing stories from communities and businesses throughout Manitoba. Their work has allowed them to collaborate with internationally recognized food and travel brands while continuing to champion local success stories close to home.
Her connection to the Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion began long before becoming an Ambassador. As a young volunteer, she spent many years helping behind the scenes—dating back to the pavilion’s time at Garden City Collegiate—before eventually performing on stage as part of the annual entertainment program. Those experiences gave her a deep appreciation for the volunteers, performers, and community members who work tirelessly each year to bring the pavilion to life.
As a 2026 Adult Ambassador, Lily is honoured to represent her Ukrainian heritage and share it with thousands of visitors during Folklorama. She believes food has a remarkable ability to connect people across cultures, making this year’s focus on Ukrainian cuisine especially meaningful.
Her perfect plate includes perohy topped generously with smetana, fried onions, and bacon, while one of her favourite pavilion memories remains performing Rusalka’s Kalyna while quietly singing along to Chervona Kalyna in her head. Whether travelling abroad or exploring a hidden gem in Manitoba, Lily’s favourite pastime is discovering new cultures through cuisine—one meal at a time.
Let's Go Back in TIME and See who Represented Us in the Recent Past....
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Join Us @Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion August 2026!
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets and Dinner Reservations for Ukraine Kyiv Pavilion are available right now for our festival's dates-
August 2- 8, 2026!
After the incredible success of 2025, we’re returning with a focus on what makes our Ukrainian Cuisine unique and an expanded focus on the Yarmarok -Farmers Market—bigger than ever to meet the demand from last year.
But before you book your show times, maybe you may want to check out our Main Stage Schedule to see what dates to visit us.