MY UKRAINIAN/AMERICAN STORY
A year ago, I was like many Americans – glued to the news, watching in real time as bombs fell on the capital of Ukraine. For me it was emotionally devastating and I could not hold back the tears. You see, my American story is also a Ukrainian one. I feel it is important to share it in the hopes to continue shedding light, hope and support to the war effort. I truly believe Ukraine will prevail over evil and will be whole again.
My story begins like most from my generation – unfortunately with evil and war. With great loss and insurmountable odds, both sides of my family fled Ukraine during WWII and made it to America. They built new lives, a church, and a community. They continued raising their families as proud Ukrainians. My father met my mother in such a community in Cleveland, Ohio where I was born.
Growing up I was fully entrenched in the local and national Ukrainian communities. Cleveland, along with other cities in the Midwest and East Coast all had similar stories unfolding. Not only did I speak the language, I also participated in typical Ukrainian activities like the Scouts’ organization PLAST, social dances, festivals, religious holidays and celebrations. Eventually I took a strong interest in a local dance ensemble in Cleveland, Kashtan, where I learned and performed traditional and acrobatic dances from Ukraine.
Unfortunately, despite knowing the language, the traditions, the religion and culture, the country itself was something we only talked about but never visited. Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union (USSR) during my childhood and early adulthood. I only had mental pictures of the stories shared by my grandparents. Ukraine would be held hostage by the Soviets until the late 1980s. It was in 1990 when the winds of change would start the crumbling and ultimate demise of the Iron Curtain. Due to this blessing, I was afforded the opportunity of a lifetime.
Incredible news swept over our community in 1990, when our dance ensemble was invited to travel to Ukraine and perform with other dance ensembles from all parts of Europe. It was a grand festival in and around the countryside of the city of Lviv in Western Ukraine. An amazing experience for all of us dancers, we witnessed the living history of a country that had just declared sovereignty only ten days prior to our arrival (it was still legally under Soviet control). Transformation had already begun – Ukrainian flags flew free from penalty on every building and the people were visibly happy and welcoming. We spent a few weeks traveling the countryside, visiting and performing in small villages on soccer fields to thousands of Ukrainians. In that short time we became celebrities and everyone I had the chance to meet was overwhelmed that we Americans still held strong the language and traditions of our motherland.
Please visit the Ukrainian Cultural Arts Association of Greater Cleveland website for an eight part series of stories and videos of this historic trip to Ukraine!
After our time in Ukraine, It was difficult to leave. Yet at the same time I also looked forward to returning home. As beautiful and amazing as Ukraine was, it also had deep scars left behind from the Soviets. The Ukrainian way of life was not an easy one. I had everything I could ever need growing up in America but that was not the case for my Ukrainian counterparts. I was hopeful that the riddance of the Soviets would bring better times for the country and its people.
After that life changing experience, my life’s trajectory followed a common path for most Americans – college, work, marriage, and family. The Ukrainian American community was finally connected to a free, independent Ukraine that now incorporated western ways of life. I was fortunate enough to visit Ukraine once again while on a work trip to Europe in 2008. I saw first hand what the city of Lviv had become. It was an overwhelmingly beautiful city with old world charm infused with modern touches. I was in awe of all the restaurants, markets with stocked shelves, Internet cafes, locals on their mobile phones shopping in clothing stores filled with fashionable items. To me, their way of life and everything I witnessed had completely transformed since my first visit in 1990.
2008 Lviv, Ukraine - Me enjoying a fine Ukrainian beer which was not an easy thing to find during my first visit in 1990. Lvivske, Ukraines oldest brewery along with countless other industries have thrived and been shared all over the world since Ukrainian Independence in 1991.
Unfortunately, Russia’s involvement and meddling in Ukrainian politics and way of life has been evident and rampant since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Sadly, Vladimir Putin has decided to no longer play the slow game and is now systematically trying to erase Ukraine off the face of the planet, with prejudice and no regard to human life – not even for his own people. This new wave began with the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and in 2022 with a full-on attack on the country, its people and infrastructure.
It saddens me to see yet another chapter of suffering imposed on the Ukrainian people and their home, especially after seeing the renaissance that took place there. Why in this day and age must we see history repeated? Why do we have to witness the destruction of Ukraine at levels that rival even the worst destruction during World War II? A ray of hope has been the overwhelming support of the United States and other countries that have shown Putin that we will not stand for it anymore.
1990 Lviv, Ukraine - Me posing with a Ukrainian police officer who was still wearing a Soviet uniform only days after Ukraine had declared sovereignty from the Soviet Union.
During my first visit to Ukraine I had brought a simple t-shirt emblazoned with the Ukrainian flag and the words “Ще не вмерла Україна” meaning “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished”. These words come directly from the title and lyrics of the Ukrainian National Anthem. It was a simple shirt with a strong message that I wore often at home and had decided to throw in my suitcase for the trip. That shirt got a lot of attention and rightfully so considering the history that was taking place. As I reflect upon my Ukrainian story, it has dawned on me that these simple words continue to be important to emphasize now more than ever. For this reason I am now selling a redesign of the shirt where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the war effort and to the people in need in Ukraine. Thank you for your continued support!
I’ll leave with you this message – Ukraine and its people will prevail and so will the world.
Cла́ва Украї́ні!
Cла́ва Украї́ні!