A Labour Weekend Journey Across Continents: From Kamloops to Italy via Google Meet

A Labour Weekend Journey Across Continents: From Kamloops to Italy via Google Meet

This long weekend, instead of my usual day trips around BC, I travelled virtually to Italy to participate in the Second Educational Forum: “How Can Ukrainians Preserve Their Identity Abroad?” – an incredible online conference that brought together close to 100 passionate educators and Ukrainian diaspora community members.

Thanks to Tanja Grygorska’s invitation to share Canada’s 130+ year experience in preserving Ukrainian identity, I had the privilege of connecting with remarkable people who are uniting Ukrainians across Italy. Despite the 9-hour time difference, my enthusiasm for meeting these dedicated individuals kept me energized throughout the entire conference.

What Made This Conference Special:

The program was beautifully structured, featuring voices from across Italy and beyond:

Church representatives sharing how spiritual centers preserve traditions and create community bonds

Educators discussing innovative teaching methods and the challenges/benefits of distance learning

Researchers presenting successful strategies for integrating Ukrainian language into local Italian schools

Artists demonstrating how creativity bridges cultures and keeps Ukrainian hearts beating strong

My Presentation: Lessons from Canada’s Ukrainian Diaspora

I shared how Ukrainian-Canadians have successfully maintained their identity through what I call “three pillars”:

Church as Spiritual Center – Ukrainian churches became community hubs preserving traditions and values

Education and Language – Saturday schools, university programs (like our Ukrainian Diaspora Studies courses at TRU), and cultural programs that bridge generations

Living Culture – From Christmas celebrations to pysanka-making, from dance to culinary traditions

I also discussed the powerful difference between the “Heritage Model” (based solely on Ukrainian ancestry) and the “Solidarity Model” (open to all who actively support Ukrainian values) – showing how Canadians, Italians, Germans and others become part of our fight for Ukrainian ideals.

The Therapeutic Power of Connection

Meeting these incredible people was deeply healing. Thank you, Ivanna, for your important presentation. Seeing Italian community members who ensure Italians learn Ukrainian culture, helping Ukrainian refugees maintain their language, using art to unite hearts, and witnessing small Italian towns keeping Ukraine alive in their communities – it reminded me why this work matters.

From Mantova’s educational initiatives to Rome’s virtual art exhibitions, from local government forums connecting Ukraine-Italy to individual stories of resilience – every presentation showed that big changes truly start with small steps (Tanja thank for this reminder).

Key Takeaway:

As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said during his historic address in Kyiv: “Your independence will be our victory.” This conference proved that Ukrainian identity isn’t just preserved in isolation – it’s strengthened through building bridges, fostering understanding with host societies, and contributing to the global defense of democratic values.

The consolidation of efforts across four levels – cultural, educational, community, and informational – isn’t just about preserving identity. It’s our key contribution to the fight for justice, freedom, and Ukraine’s Victory.

Gratitude:

To all the organizers, the Diaspora Ukraina Mantova association, the Department of Education of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations of Italy, and every participant who shared their wisdom – дякую! You reminded me that whether we’re in Kamloops taking students from Ukraine on day trips or connecting virtually across continents, we’re all part of the same mission: keeping Ukrainian identity alive and passing it to future generations.

Разом до Перемоги! Together to Victory!