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The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is preparing to welcome visitors once again, marking a major milestone nearly one year after a devastating fire destroyed its visitor centre.

The beloved cultural site, located just east of Edmonton, is set to reopen to the public on May 16 during the May long weekend, signaling both recovery and resilience for Alberta’s Ukrainian community.

The fire, which occurred on April 18, 2025, caused significant damage to the main visitor centre, destroying galleries, offices, and irreplaceable artifacts. While no historic buildings were lost, the impact was deeply felt across the province.

Despite the setback, restoration efforts have moved steadily forward.

“The UCHV holds a deeply meaningful place in Alberta’s history and in the hearts of the Ukrainian community,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “We are proud to reopen the Village this May to ensure Albertans and visitors can continue to learn and celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage.”

Visitors returning this season can once again explore the historic village, take part in cultural programming, and experience traditions that have shaped generations. Field trips have already resumed, with nearly 1,500 students welcomed back since programming restarted in late 2025.

Special events are also making a comeback, including the popular Ukrainian Day celebration scheduled for August 16.

According to David Makowsky, director of the Village, the reopening represents a collective effort to preserve history in the face of adversity.

“Their support has made it possible to welcome visitors back just a year later, ensuring Alberta’s Ukrainian stories, traditions and history will continue to be shared and celebrated,” he said.

While the loss of artifacts and research materials was significant, earlier digitization efforts and off-site storage at the Royal Alberta Museum helped preserve important pieces of the collection.

Work continues behind the scenes, with cleanup, utility repairs, and planning for a new visitor centre underway. Construction on a replacement facility is expected to begin later this year.

For many, the reopening is about more than restoring a building.

“As parliamentary secretary for Ukrainian evacuees, I recognize how vital places like the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village are to preserving identity and culture,” said Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees. “Ensuring this site continues to honour Ukrainian-Albertan history and resilience is incredibly important.”

The site will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, as well as holiday Mondays, through the summer season. A temporary visitor centre will be set up in the Silska Domiwka, also known as the Red Barn, where guests can access services including food and the gift shop.

As rebuilding continues, the Village stands as a symbol of cultural preservation and community strength—ready once again to share its stories with visitors from across Alberta and beyond.

For more information about the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, visit their website at ukrainianvillage.ca.

Information for this article was sourced from the Government of Alberta website.