Love Letters to Ukraine

We’re so grateful for the opportunities we’ve had thanks to our love of Ukrainian culture. Emceeing the grandstand stage at the 2022 Vegreville Pysanka Festival is one opportunity that stands out!

russia’s full-scale invasion that has become a brutal war has been going on for one year. We love Ukraine, we are proud of her and her people, and it hurts our hearts to see russia’s actions.

One day when we were hanging out, both feeling the heaviness and sadness from the news coming out of Ukraine, we felt inspired to write a love letter to her.

Ukraine is our “why” — we never want to stop learning and sharing about her. She is the reason our hearts bubble over with passion and is a constant source of energy for us. We wanted to remind Ukraine why we love her and believe in her. A love letter felt fitting.

We shared our love letter on social media last summer, and now, we’re sharing some of yours. We asked three people — Eva van Rensburg, Carson McLean, and Liudmyla Tereshchenko — to share their hearts with us, with you, and with Ukraine by writing their own letters. Read their letters below, or listen to them read their letters on Episode 18.

Write Your Own Love Letter

We’re officially putting a call-out for people to write their own love letters to Ukraine. Tell her how much you love her, how she inspires you, and how she has shaped your life. It doesn’t matter if you’ve met Ukraine in person or not — it doesn’t matter if you’re even Ukrainian — what matters is sharing your love for this country that has beautifully impacted your life in some way.

The only guideline is to start with “Dear Ukraine,” and then let the words flow. We’d love to see you post it on social media. If you do, tag us (@vsi.ukr) and include the hashtag #VsiLoveLetter. If you really want to be romantic — and you do — you can mail the letter to us (send us an email for our address!).

If you don’t want to post your letter on social media, no problem. Feel free to email it to us if you’d like to share it with someone.

Or if you don’t want to share your words at all, that’s completely OK! You can use “Dear Ukraine” like a journal prompt and see what comes out.

Writing can be therapeutic, a way to process your emotions. We really enjoyed writing ours together. As we came up with a line, we’d share stories and feelings behind the words. It was really special to write about something you love with someone you love.

If you connect with the words we wrote, you can use our audio on Instagram to create a reel using your own photos and videos.

The incredibly moving song that you hear playing in our reel and throughout this episode is “Broken Bow” by Bedzvin, a musician from Ukraine who has lived in Canada since 2015. He has spent time in Ukraine recently to provide aid, and through his fundraising efforts, he supports the defenders of Ukraine. Follow him on Instagram to learn more and contribute to his efforts.

Meet Our Guests

Eva grew up Ukrainian dancing. Kaitlin and Eva became close friends at Ukrainian dance camp, and their friendship continued to grow and grow over the past 15 years. Though Eva doesn’t Ukrainian dance now, she finds many other ways to connect with her culture, such as through cooking, through embroidery, and through learning about traditions. In recent years, Eva has been connecting more with her Métis culture as well, and she’s an inspiration to us both in how she dedicates time to learn and share about her roots.

We met Carson through Ukrainian dance events, and because of his warm, welcoming energy, we started to make a point of talking with him more and more at these events. He’s from Edmonton and has danced with various ensembles. Carson is so inspiring to us because though he has moved around Canada, he’s continued to Ukrainian dance with a group in whatever city he’s in. His love of and dedication to Ukrainian culture is magnetic.

Lusya came to Canada in October 2022 because of russia’s war. We met her through Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble’s production Triptych while searching for a musician to perform in the show. Lusya is an incredibly talented pianist, and her passion for Ukraine and music shines through when you hear her play. From the very first time we met, it felt like our souls knew each other. Over coffee one time, Lusya shared with Hannah how it wasn’t until she was a young adult that she had the chance to really explore and connect with her Ukrainian culture. We asked her to write a love letter to hear more about how this connection grew and shaped her life.

A Letter from Eva van Rensburg

Though we could have selected a more recent photo of Eva to show how she celebrates Ukrainian culture, we couldn’t resist sharing this adorable photo of Eva and her brothers.

Dear Ukraine,

Although we have never met in person, our connection is undeniable.

It has been a journey of learning more about each other through some little and big moments over the years. You’re often on my mind, especially as of late.

I am able to find ways to become closer to you too. When I grow and harvest fresh ingredients to cook a hybrid recipe of my grandma’s borsch, sharing its deliciousness with my family and friends. Or when I work on an embroidery project, each stitch allowing me time to reflect on the steady hands whom embroidered my vyshyvanka. Through dance, every step, every song, every performance, my heart beams with pride for you.

It’s always been for you. For us.

My lifelong friendships made at Ukrainian dance camp and classes. With you, there is always so much joy and pride.

That’s what I think of when I see sparks of you sprinkled in my life. I admire your heart, your spirit, and resilience. Sending you so much love, Ukraine.

Love, Eva

A Letter from Carson McLean

Dear Ukraine,

Though I was born in Canada, I am honoured to call myself a Ukrainian Canadian, and I have come to cherish all you have to offer. Our love started with Ukrainian dance, but it has grown to be so much more with time.

Carson has had the chance to dance with his sisters, making celebrating their Ukrainian heritage that much more special.

My fondest memory of you was my first performance in Ukraine when I had the opportunity to show my love for you on your own soil. Nervously waiting backstage, the lights went up, the music started, and the show began. The moment was made all the more special having my relatives from Ukraine watching in the audience and my family from Canada performing alongside me.

Every year, I learn more about you, and my love for you continues to grow. Every time I think I understand even just a small part of you, you reveal something new and pull me back in.

Ukraine, a land of endless discovery. Your people, your food, your culture, your history, your everything.

I have been blessed to witness the beauty of your lands firsthand, and it pains me to see you like this now. Still, your light shines on brighter than ever over this last year, and the world has noticed. These terrible times, as much as they never should have happened, have only made me feel more connected to and proud of you.

You are not just a country — you are a home for the soul, a source of inspiration, a beacon of hope.

Love, Carson

A Letter from Liudmyla Tereshchenko

Liudmyla’s passion for Ukrainian culture comes through especially strong when she performs Ukrainian music.

Dear Ukraine,

I was born at your warm, sunny, cosy seashore. And it seemed to me that this was the best part of you — what could be better? But I was wrong, because every part of you is the best. Every region of yours is beautiful and unique.

It was the most excited adventure in my life — to travel across your land and to discover the diversity of your traditions, to meet kind and incredible people on my way, and to realize your versatility. It was the process of self-discovery for me. And I am so grateful for your assistance in it. You made me who I am now.

My beloved, strong, and unbreakable Ukraine. The whole world admires the bravery and unity of your daughters and sons. You pay a very heavy price for your freedom now, but you will definitely resist and win. You are free, and it will always be!

Love, Lusya

Thank you so much Eva, Carson, and Liudmyla for sharing your words with us.

If you’d like to hear them read their letters, listen to Episode 18 of Vsi.

We’re looking forward to reading more letters and sending Ukraine our collective love.

Schaslyvo!