When I was growing up, Eastern Europe was a mysterious entity reduced to caricatures from spy movies. My knowledge about Ukraine, before the Russian invasion, was limited to Chernobyl, soccer star Andrey Shevchenko, the Klitschko brothers (boxers) and the 2014 War. The fact that the country and its people were as eclectic as those in Western Europe was lost on many of us and it has been a pleasure to get to know Ukrainians, even though we should never have had the opportunity. Here are 12 things I have learned about Ukraine and its people since February, 2022.
1. Plants and Nature
From chatting with Ukrainians I understand that vegetable plots are still common in villages in a way that was true here decades ago. Ukrainians have retained this rootedness and interest in nature, and I think we could learn from them here in Ireland. Basically, I don’t see many Ukrainians eating chicken nuggets and wedges!
• As reported in our 2022 article about Irish families hosting Ukrainian refugees, a Kildare household was introduced to nettle soup by their guest Natalia who was glad to find that nettles grow freely in Ireland. FULL STORY: https://www.changingireland.ie/not-the-red-cross-hosting-refugees-ukraine-irish-family/
2. Food
Ok Ukrainians, let’s talk about borscht, this mix of meat with beetroot, cabbage and other vegetables. Daria, who works with me, kindly brought us in borscht to taste and, while some loved it, my reaction was that it occupies that liminal space between a soup and a stew in which no food should reside! When I mentioned this to other Ukrainians they said – oh, she should have put this or that in it, so clearly there are many ways of making borscht. I don’t like beetroot, so sorry borscht, it’s probably me not you!
Salo is another Ukrainian favourite which is, eh, cured pig fat. I better stop commenting while I still have some Ukrainians friends left!
As regards baking, many Ukrainians I have met like to bake, they bake fabulously, and generously share their produce.
Ukraine is a big honey producer and I have received many gifts of honey and flavoured teas.
Ukraine also has Tatar cuisine which has similarities to Greek and Turkish food (also, see number 10).
3. Crafts and Motanka Dolls
NEWKD have set up a number of integrated craft groups and Ukrainians are very talented and interested in working with their hands.
Some of my colleagues arranged a wellbeing session that involved burning a doll, which was new to us. First, they put out candles and a floral centrepiece which I commented on as being lovely. Work colleague Aylonia said that it had been a windy weekend so her mother gathered some leaves and made it, just rustled it up as it were!
The dolls – Motanka Dolls are traditional dolls which can represent many things including protection for your home. This session involved making the doll, writing down your worries, putting the worry-notes in the doll and burning said doll – Health and Safety regulations were probably also destroyed in the process!
• Ukrainian doll-making in Kerry with author Robert Carey pictured centre.
4. Independence & Freedom
Fighting for freedom is not new to Ukrainians. Ukrainians risked their safety in the 2004 Orange Revolution and in the 2014 Euromaidan protests.
The Euromaidan was over government corruption and the refusal of Kremlin-influenced President Viktor Yanukovych (who later fled to Russia) to sign an agreement with the EU which had been in development for years. Over two months millions of people protested and a whole support structure developed around the protest with a huge voluntary effort providing food and security. Historically, Ukrainians have been fighting for freedom for hundreds of years.
A point of interest which people may not know: In 1993, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal (the third largest in the world) in order to help secure peace. The consequences of doing this are now looking more and more grave.
UKRAINIANS IN IRELAND – Halyna (90) and Svitlana (66) on fleeing a second war
5. Horrible Dilemma
Two Ukrainian friends, both mothers, recently visited Ukraine as their sons, both aged 17, are now obliged to sign up for the army, although the current age for call-up is still 25. They did not have to do this as they are living in Ireland and I asked one mother about it. She said that of course they didn’t want to sign up, but she had said to her son that when the war is over she wants to be able to say that they followed the law and their duty. She said to him that it is important that those laying down their lives know that the younger generation is supporting them, even though they hope the war will be over before they are called up. Supporting the army while not wanting your loved ones to join up and get killed in action must be a horrible dilemma for many Ukrainians.
Ukrainian men, fathers, carers, aged – full facts on military conscription
6. Similarities with Ireland
Ukrainian and Irish history have much in common:
Oppression from an imperial power over hundreds of years. √
Attempts to destroy our language and culture. √
Resilience and eventual independence from foreign power. √
Famine supported by the imperialists to oppress or destroy the population. In the Ukrainian famine, ‘The Holodomor’, instigated by Stalin, an estimated 5 million died. √
Colonial power does want to let go (e.g. Ireland – six counties, although in 1993 the British government stated that it had no “selfish strategic or economic” interest in the North; Ukraine – Russian invasion). √
7. Relationship with Russia
As us Irish know, when you are colonised and population plantations take place over long periods you get cultural and linguistic interconnections between the oppressed and the oppressor. Many Ukrainians grew up (like many former Soviet bloc members) speaking Russian and consuming Russian culture (similar to Irish interest in the BBC, soccer, music, newspapers).
However, like Ireland, Ukraine has a distinct history, culture and mentality. As Ukrainian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak sees it, “In Ukraine, Stalin or Putin is impossible (because) in Ukraine power is not sacred. We never love power, we always criticise it.”
Ukrainian writer Andreay Kurkov says that Russians crave stability, while Ukrainians prize freedom above all. It is more important to them than wealth.
8. Culture & Christmas
Ukrainians’ pride in their culture and language has increased since the invasion. My colleagues wear traditional Ukrainian dress at many events we run and the Cossacks, who established an independent Ukrainian state in 1649, are a big part of Ukrainian history and culture. In Kerry Ukrainians have put on large Christmas concerts and we have a large number of classically trained musicians which seems to be a feature of Ukrainian culture.
Christmas – The majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians and on Christmas Eve they prepare 12 vegetarian dishes and the table is decorated with a sheaf of wheat which symbolises the ancestors’ spirits.
9. Smiling and Straight Talking
• Irish people tend to smile more than Ukrainians due to cultural differences.
Smiling: One of the first things Ukrainians remarked to me was that Irish people smile a lot. Now thinking about some of miserable so and sos you know you may be surprised at this! Apparently, smiling is not common in Ukraine and some have said they will continue to show off their teeth more when they return!
Graciousness and manners: Ukrainians are quick to show gratitude for even small gestures, they want to contribute, and if you make any attempt to speak a few words of Ukrainian they are embarrassingly nice about the fact that you have mangled something they have fought valiantly to keep alive!
Refugees planted rare dove tree to thank Irish and for peace
All talk: Because of our indirect, circuitous, often poetic way of expressing ourselves, it took my Ukrainian colleagues a few months to realise that when an Irish person says, “I will get that sorted”, “Give me a call soon on that”, etc, we mean something may happen sometime somewhere. Ukrainians are more direct and literal.
10. Crimean Tatars
Last summer my work colleague Olya invited her friend Akhtem Seitablaiev, a famous Ukrainian actor and film director, to Ireland for the anniversary of Ukrainian independence. He has starred in many films and is now in the army, involved in projects to help injured combatants and boost morale.
As a surprise we took him to see Riverdance and he was riveted throughout and got very emotional when a Ukrainian dance piece took to the stage – we had not told him this was going to happen. This has been part of the production since the invasion so kudos to Riverdance!
We showed his films in Kerry and Dublin. He happens to be a Crimean Tatar. He was born and grew up in Uzbekistan as his parents were expelled from Crimea as part of Stalin’s purge of Tatars. (In 1944, over three days, around 200,000 Tatars were expelled – ethnically cleansed – from Crimea. Most were moved to Siberia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan).
11. Work and wellbeing
Work: “If there was work in bed, he’d sleep on the floor.” We know laziness like industriousness is a human trait and therefore there must be lazy Ukrainians. I however have not met any. The biggest problem in fact is to get them to work to normal hours and look after their wellbeing. Hard work seems to be part of the culture as there is a Ukrainian joke something along the lines of – if you see a Ukrainian leaving work at 5pm, it must be a bank holiday …I didn’t say they had good jokes!
Wellbeing: Therapy and help-seeking is not common part of the culture and therefore they are less likely than the Irish to avail of supports such as mental health supports and addiction and substance misuse supports.
The Ukrainian refugee building Ireland’s future one home at a time
12. Resources and Economy
Natural resources: Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe and is roughly 8.5 times the size of Ireland. Nearly a quarter of the world’s most fertile soil, known as chernozem, is located in Ukraine. It also has titanium ore, bauxite, alunite (for potash) and mercury (which Trump is seeking to exploit). Its natural riches and location are one of the reasons imperial powers sought to control it during WW2.
Economy: Ukraine is highly digitalised. For example all government docs are on an app called Diia and Ukraine had one of the highest levels (pre-war) of tech specialists in the world. The war has ravaged the economy and wages are low – for example, the sister of a Ukrainian work colleague of mine is a teacher in Ukraine and she earns just €400 per month.
• Robert Carey is a community worker and SICAP manager with North East West Kerry Development. He is also a member of Changing Ireland’s editorial team. He writes here in a personal capacity.
“What every community wants is a sense of peace. That’s why the Ukrainians are here.”
