For more than 100 years, this orchestra has been a balm for Ukrainian newcomers in Sask.
This story is part of a series from CBC Saskatchewan, featuring four stories from the 18 pavilions that are part of Mosaic 2024. For more, visit our Mosaic home page.
When Natalia Koshelieva plays as a member of the Poltava orchestra, she's swept away into joy at hearing the music of her country come alive.
It's a feeling she wasn't expecting when she came to Canada back in 2016, finding a community of Ukrainian people in Regina and fellow musicians who are part of the 102-year-old orchestra.
"They cherish and treasure Ukrainian music and the Ukrainian heritage," she said. "And it's very special … when we came here and we started to play music, and I'm like, 'Oh, I know these. Oh, I know that. Oh, I know those songs.'"
Natalia Koshelieva plays with the Poltava Ukrainian pavilion's orchestra at a rehearsal for Mosaic 2024. (CBC)
Since 1922, the orchestra has brought the music of Ukrainian people to Saskatchewan, and it remains a key part of the Poltava Ukrainian pavilion at the annual Mosaic festival, providing the accompaniment to dances.
Moving to Canada was not part of Koshelieva's plan, but rather a cherished dream of her husband's.
"Honestly, I didn't want to come at first. I was pretty happy to live in Ukraine," she said, explaining that she worried that the move would disrupt her children's musical education.
But they discovered the orchestra and dance groups, with the family getting involved in the local programs.
Tears from Ukrainian refugees
Since then, she's seen the power of the orchestra to touch the pride of Ukrainians. When the orchestra toured Europe last summer, they would meet and connect with Ukrainian refugees who had fled their homeland.
"As soon as they see the costumes and we walked by, they cried and burst into tears, and that was very special," she said, noting the first strains of familiar music clearly connected with these refugees.
"I can see they felt the pride being Ukrainian … and they found the pride to show that culture, that music, the dances to the world."
Performers with Regina's Poltava Ukrainian pavilion not only showcase their music and dance locally but also abroad, displaying pride in their Ukrainian heritage. Koshelieva says she can see the effect that visibility has on displaced Ukrainians. (PoltavaYQR/Instagram)
As a recent retiree, orchestra member Tom Millette said he can't think of anything better than being part of the orchestra that will once again be taking the stage at the Regina Performing Arts Centre for Mosaic 2024.
"We've got a heck of a pavilion. Our performance is a lot of new production, new numbers. It's professional and it's really dynamic."
His own grandmother came to Canada more than 120 years ago from Ukraine, and being part of the orchestra has helped him understand what life might have been like for her and other newcomers as they worked to overcome trials and tribulations.
"This hall and our dance and our music, I'm sure, helped them mentally and emotionally in terms of persevering through all those challenges," said Millette.
Now, the orchestra is doing that for a new generation of Ukrainian refugees and newcomers, like Koshelieva, who still has family and friends in Ukraine living through the ongoing Russian invasion of their country.
It makes her thankful to be here now.
"The Ukrainian culture is so deep and so beautiful, and the music is so nice," she said.
"And every day we're thankful to God that he took us here, so we are safe here."
