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Katerina Saxon, the conductor and a recent immigrant to Canada, embraced the dynamic multiculturalism of Calgary and lived happily in this community for seven years. However, as events in her homeland escalated and refugees began to pour in, she felt a rising tide of rejection and animosity. Seeking guidance through prayer, she received a profound answer: "Transform pain into love through your talents."

 

Katerina and her team indentified the term "Pereveslo" to aptly capture the essence of their initiative. In Ukrainian, it refers to the cord that binds a sheaf of wheat together, symbolizing unity, oneness, community, friendship, and strength. Embracing these values, the Pereveslo Choir was founded as a space embodying these ideals, serving as a place for healing through creativity and music.

 

Individuals promptly joined rehearsals to perform the winning Eurovision song "Stefania," which included a modified rap featuring lines from a poem by Katerina Shevchenko. This project grew, and the concept of a music video emerged. With the support of the Calgary Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Trizub dance ensemble, and various soloists, the music video was filmed, marking the project as an amazing success.

 

Simultaneously, they embarked on their first charity tour across Alberta, raising $15,000 to aid those affected in Ukraine. This initiative provided healing, as they bonded and turned their pain into art, benefiting those in need.

 

Katerina and the choir members believed their efforts had come to an end. They had done their best and helped as much as they could. Life had returned to its usual rhythm. However, everything changed on a serendipitous day when Katerina received an invitation to perform at the Calgary Independence Day concert. A surge of new energy and electricity revitalized the group. They were eager to continue singing and creating a positive space to share with others through music. They have since become regular performers within the Ukrainian community and at citywide events. The Pereveslo Choir even showcased their talent by performing the globally renowned Ukrainian song "Shchedryk" at the Carols Festival in Knox Church.

 

Over time, the vision of the Pereveslo Choir expanded, leading to the recognition of a need for a summer event that would allow families to enjoy Ukrainian culture and socialize. The intent of Pereveslo Picnic 2023 was to foster a sense of family, showcase talents, and serve the community. This event encouraged people to bring blankets, sandwiches, and their loved ones, uniting over their shared love for Ukraine.

 

The first Pereveslo Picnic event drew over 100 people and was such a great success that the Ukrainian community requested more events like it later in the summer. The second event attracted over 400 people, and the third drew around 800 attendees from both the Ukrainian community and the general public.

 

The Pereveslo team envisions continued growth for Pereveslo within the Calgary community. This year, Summer 2024, Pereveslo Picnic has been renamed Pereveslo Fest in anticipation of an even larger turnout, more vendors, and greater opportunities for connection. The event aims to not only engage other Ukrainians but also to introduce the broader Calgary community to our rich culture and traditions.