“[Ivan Franko] was a very important individual within Ukrainian culture back in the late 1800s, that helped keep our Ukrainian community thriving in Ukraine,” says Lupynis, vice-president of the board of directors for the Society. “Over the decades, we feel that we have fulfilled our goal of being a center for the Ukrainian community in Richmond.”

Honouring a legacy

For the past decades, the Society has offered a place of belonging and support for Ukrainians in B.C. They trace their humble origins to the early 1900s, when Ukrainian immigrants first settled in Richmond. According to Lupynis, these immigrants discovered Richmond as a farming community and “felt comfortable there.”

By 1937, the Society had formally incorporated, building its first community hall on Francis Road. This gathering place quickly became the heart of Richmond’s Ukrainian life, hosting dinners and cultural events, language schools, and children’s choral and dance groups.

“[The founders] did everything they could to maintain Ukrainian culture together while in Canada,” says Lupynis.

Over the decades, the Society has continued to evolve. It built a senior center for aging members, participated in city parades and festivals, and introduced the wider Richmond community to Ukrainian cuisine through monthly dinners.

Today, the volunteer-run Society has over 2,000 members including multi-generational families, recent immigrants and non-Ukrainians interested in the culture.

Recently, the Society’s focus has shifted to supporting newcomers from Ukraine. They help new immigrants find jobs, navigate government paperwork and access essential services.

“We are a very active society, and a lot of our concentration has now gone towards supporting those who have come from Ukraine,” Lupynis notes, referencing the ongoing war. “We provide every sort of support that we can to make their lives in Canada a little bit easier.”

The Society also houses a Ukrainian dance group for children, a theatre group for all ages as well as a language school for young and adult learners. For Lupynis, these initiatives provide their community members the opportunity “to feel as though they are a part of something.”

Sharing culture

As a participant in Doors Open Richmond, the Society invites the public to experience Ukrainian culture in person. The vice-president looks forward to welcoming everybody – regardless of cultural heritage – on June 7.

“They’ll be able to see specially designed museum panels of the history of Ukrainians in B.C.,” he adds.

Visitors will also enjoy food samples and cultural displays, such as the intricate art of pysanka (Ukrainian Easter eggs). There will also be question and answer sessions with some of the organization’s directors.

The focus is on learning about culture. This goal is further facilitated by exploration of the Society’s extensive 4,000 book-library – a source of great pride – and their museum. One of the Society’s favorite memories from past Open Doors events is engaging with non-Ukrainian visitors.

“They were interested, they asked questions, and I had some absolutely great conversations with people,” Lupynis recalls.

On June 20, the organization will host a fundraiser takeout dinner with all proceeds going to humanitarian aid in Ukraine; there will be some limited space for dine-in. This will be the second year the fundraiser has taken place. As their doors open once again this June, the Society hopes visitors will take away a sense of Ukrainian hospitality and the beauty of its culture.

“I hope they come and see how welcoming we as Ukrainian people are… and learn, explore our community even more,” Lupynis concludes. “We hope that we can continue to garner support from the global community and share our story so that it’s not forgotten.”

An annual event celebrating Richmond’s culture and heritage, this year’s Doors Open (June 7 to 8) highlights over 50 sites – including Lingyen Mountain Temple, Vedic Cultural Centre and Richmond Ismaili Jamatkhana.

For more information about the Society, see www.ivanfranko.ca

For more information about Doors Open Richmond, see www.richmondmuseum.ca/doors-open-richmond