COMMENTARY: Our Ukraine - a view from the diaspora (02/01/04)

COMMENTARY: Our Ukraine - a view from the diaspora

Eugene Melnitchenko and Helena Lysyj Melnitchenko

Isabel Allende's memoir "My Invented Country," published in 2003, sparked some lively discussion. What appealed to us about her book was not her nostalgic journey through Chile and the capably done description of the idiosyncrasies of Chilean people and her colorful family, but the process through which all immigrants pass in relating to their native and adopted countries.

Allende spent half of her life outside Chile, first as an exile in Venezuela and then as an immigrant in United States. In her memoir, she points out that the difference between exiles and immigrants is that exiles live in the past, hoping to return to their native lands, while immigrants are future-oriented, looking forward to building new lives in their adopted countries.

Her analysis of the Chilean psyche led us to the question: Who are we - we Ukrainians?

Our generation of immigrants was born a few years before Hitler invaded Ukraine or during the second world war. Some of us remember our parents' cherry orchards, swimming in the mighty Dnipro or Dnister rivers, the majestic Carpathian mountains, our colorful villages or cities, and going to church on Sundays or to visit the Shevchenko monument in Kaniv with our sadochky or schools. Colored by the persecutions and fear of our parents and relatives under Communism or Polish rule, and the uncertainty of childhood memory, our recollections are hazy.

Our lives were shattered by Hitler's invasion of Ukraine and the horrors that followed; the massive executions and hangings of our neighbors and friends who were said to be partisans or communist symphatizers. We were herded on trucks or freight trains and taken to forced-labor camps in Germany, where even slightest provocation resulted in retribution. Many of us survived because of our inherent determination and perseverance, instilled in us through generations. Many perished.

It is ironic that we first tasted freedom in the displaced persons camps after the war. There we lived in a democracy and were taught the idealized version of Ukraine. We studied Hrushevsky's history, Ukrainian literature and geography. We recited the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko and Lesia Ukrainka on makeshift stages, prayed in Ukrainian churches, belonged to SUM and Plast, sang in Ukrainian choirs, danced in Ukrainian dance groups. We were fortunate to receive an excellent education because most of our teachers were former university professors reduced to teaching elementary or secondary school classes. We bonded with other Ukrainians, and some of our fondest memories are of those times.

Our world shifted again when our parents were able to immigrate to our new adopted countries.

Those of us who came to the United States gravitated to our own people in Ukrainian neighborhoods. We continued to pray in Ukrainian churches, sang in Ukrainian choirs, danced with Avramenko's or other Ukrainian groups, and played for Ukrainian sports clubs. We found the old Ukrainian immigrants unsophisticated and amusing with their "half-na-piv" language and American mannerism. Although they prayed in our churches and came to our concerts, sometimes in Ukrainian costumes, we found their frames of reference and inferences different from ours - though we knew who they were and accepted them as Ukrainians.

Most of us went to American high schools, many finished American universities during daytime or at night schools with great financial sacrifices. Some served in the military forces, many dying in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Most married other Ukrainians, competed for jobs with Americans, had children.

As we competed for success in our new professions, educating our children in Ukrainian became problematic, particularly for those of us who intermarried or moved away from Ukrainian neighborhoods. Our children went to American schools, played sports for their schools or local recreational clubs, and socialized with their American friends. The distances to our churches were such that it was difficult to attend services regularly.

Our parents helped us teach them the Ukrainian heritage and language, but our children's view of Ukraine is different from ours, colored by their American experience. Although some of them understand Ukrainian, among themselves and with their friends they speak English. While they enjoy Ukrainian art, music and food, Ukraine has become a secondary country for them.

Obviously, our generation of Ukrainians who remained in Germany or immigrated to other parts of the world, such as Australia or Latin America, and their children's views of Ukraine are different from ours, colored by their adopted countries' societies and customs. Recently we met a Ukrainian family from Brazil, who spoke Portuguese among themselves and rooted for the Brazilian team at the women's world cup game at RFK Stadium in Washington.

After independence, many of us visited Ukraine, sometimes with our children. We were shocked to find that most people there, particularly in Kyiv, spoke Russian, not Ukrainian, and considered us to be American, not Ukrainian. On the train from Lviv to Kyiv, an emotional experience for the authors was the epiphany that we have been deprived of this beautiful country. We had spent our lives as exiles and then immigrants, and there was no way of turning back history.

Some of Europe's oldest churches and monasteries are in Kyiv and Lviv. The museums, universities, the operas, Lviv's historic pharmacy - the oldest in Europe, celebrations of Ukrainian Independence on the streets, parades and the concerts made us proud of our roots. However, when we tried to take pictures in front of some government buildings, we were almost arrested because apparently one of them was a former KGB headquarters. At times we felt like strangers in our own land.

Here in the United States, most of us continue to be active in Ukrainian groups, pray in Ukrainian churches and attend concerts and other Ukrainian functions. Recently, some of us celebrated the 12th Ukrainian Independence Day at Soyuzivka, enjoying Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky's talented and colorful dancers. Their spontaneous performance of the Kolomyika at the zabava (dance) was particularly breathtaking and reminded us of our youth, with each dancer or group of dancers trying to outdo the others. What vibrant energy!

In the Washington metropolitan area we meet new immigrants from Ukraine and Ukrainians working at the Embassy of Ukraine. Occasionally, they pray in our churches and attend our concerts, but rarely socialize with us. Their frame of references and view of Ukraine are different from ours. Some of them speak Russian among themselves. We are the "half-na-piv" for them.

Dr. Myron Kuropas of The Ukrainian Weekly wrote a splendid little book on "Ukrainians in America" in which he listed many Ukrainians who succeeded in American society in entertainment, fine arts, the military, music, politics and sports. Such names as Gen. Samuel Jaskilka (USMC), Jack Palance and Igor Sikorsky are well known, to name just a few. To these can be added many Ukrainians of our generation who also became successful in American society, including Andrij Dobriansky of the Metropolitan opera, Maj. Gen. Nicholas Krawciw of the U.S. Army, soccer player Zenon Snylyk, again to name just a few.

Our children teach at universities, are rising musicians or artists, write poetry and books, manage money on Wall Street or work in visible positions in the industry or for the government. The list of prominent Ukrainians in America should expand substantially in the future.

Why do we think that? Because Ukrainians are talented, competent, hardworking and determined. We are driven toward success by centuries of oppression and treatment as second-class citizens. We rarely saw Ukrainian names among the visiting sports teams or performing artists from the former Soviet Union. One of the reasons why Ukraine has to remain independent is to give its citizens the opportunity to develop their potentialities, to become what they can be.

While we Ukrainians in the diaspora and Ukrainians in Ukraine are somewhat different, we think there are also some common features that bind us. In her book Ms. Allende claims that she can spot Chileans anywhere by their particular walk, behavior and talk. We think the same can be said of Ukrainians. Most of us can spot other Ukrainians by their facial expressions, mannerisms and body language. Perhaps the high cheekbones and the deep set eyes, whether they are blue or brown, are give-aways, too.

Ours is a much older and larger country than Chile. Over the centuries, it was invaded by groups and nations, which assimilated and incorporated a broad range of idiosyncrasies into our people. Its roots can be traced all the way back to the Trypillian culture (3,000-6,000 B.C.) which, together with our rich soil, made us love nature and gardening. One can spot a Ukrainian home anywhere, full of colorful flowers and gardens. Our pysanky, embroidery and art have a basis in that culture. We are religious. It goes back to Prince Volodymyr and Kyivan Rus'. Despite their destruction by the Communists, there are still more churches in Ukraine than in most other countries.

Our character is a function of our heredity and environment. Because Ukraine has very desirable land, but no natural borders it was invaded by diverse people and for a long time was ruled by others, such as the Poles and the Russians. All of them left their imprints on our soul and gene pool. Good warriors that we are, we are clever and cautious. During the Kozak era, only the strong survived. While by nature we are kind people, we are also capable of cruelty when cornered.

During all those turbulent centuries, it was the mother who kept the family together. Like the Chileans, we have strong family ties and, despite our mothers' key roles in our families, our society is patriarchal. We are opinionated, competitive and envious of the success of others, but when our neighbors and friends need help, we are generous. Though cautious, we are also hospitable and friendly. No one leaves our homes hungry, we love to entertain, drink and eat, sometimes too much.

Perhaps because of our open steppes and the long rule by others, we hate bureaucracy and regulations. We are a freedom-loving people. This goes back to the Kozaks and the Zaporozhian Sich.

Most Ukrainians are pragmatic. We know how to handle and get around things, despite the long Russian attempt to make us feel like helpless "little brothers." We have a strong sense of humor, love to make jokes about others and our own conditions. Our open steppes, the majestic mountains, and our unpredictable and hard life have made us into music-loving people. Our songs are sentimental and melodic, while the dances are vibrant and energetic. The ability to relate dancing with music is in our souls.

Yes, most of us in the diaspora have a romanticized view of Ukraine, as do most immigrants no matter from which country they trace their roots, but that view, the one in our heads and hearts, shaped us and makes it possible for us to continue and persevere in our new country.

Eugene Melnitchenko and Helena Lysyj Melnitchenko are freelance writers and community activists from Owings, Md.

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