By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
EAST VILLAGE — Don’t be surprised to see the East Village looking a bit like Kiev this weekend.
Starting Friday, the St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church on East Seventh Street will kick off its three-day Ukrainian Festival, featuring food, music, and original arts and crafts unique to Eastern Europe’s largest country.
More than 100 performers will take the stage on Seventh Street between Second and Third avenues, where the church is located, for the largest Ukrainian festival in the tri-state area.
“This is an immigrant community, but the Ukrainians that came into the East Village are very proud to be a part of American culture,” said festival chairman Andrij Stasiw, who teaches at the church’s school.
“A lot of immigrants feel a very strong connection to the Ukraine but feel very fortunate after World War II they were able to make it here.”
The 105-year-old parish and school has acted as a home base for the East Village’s Ukrainian community, which includes popular establishments like Veselka diner, Stage Restaurant and Blue and Gold bar.
The festival, founded in 1976, will see anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 visitors throughout the weekend, Stasiw said.
The event kicks off with its main stage show at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by performances from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and from 2 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
