Connecting with your Cultural Heritage

Everyone wonders who they are and where they came from. The journey of self-discovery is a process we are all undergoing at this very moment. Us teenagers constantly crave for identity and certain characteristics that allow us to stand out and show everyone who we are. Being a teenager myself, I am trying to forge my identity, be proud of who I am, and show people the real me. That’s why I set myself on a mission to connect with my Ukrainian heritage. I believe that by learning as much as I can about Ukraine and indulging myself in the traditions and practices, then I will renew my sense of identity and purpose. Discovering where you came from, traditions, and practices are the root of finding ourselves. Our culture influences our beliefs, behavior, principles, and morals, but it is also what brings us together as a community. Here are ideas on what you can do to connect with your cultural heritage:

Learn the Language

Learning a new language is hard work. It takes a lot of time and dedication to master, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Learning the specific language that people in your culture use to communicate will help you respect and learn about cultural values. You can enjoy films, music, and literature in their original language. In my case, I have been speaking Russian ever since I was born; it’s practically my first language. I used to be very fluent, but as I got older my ability to converse in Russian has worsened. One of the main reasons I want to become fluent again in Ukrainian and Russian is because most of my family speak those two languages and it is important for me to break that barrier of communication.

Read a History Book

Honestly, the best way to obtain knowledge on something: read a book. It will make you aware of the past and the events that caused significant change for the culture.

For example, Ukraine declared itself an independent state on August 24, 1991, when the Supreme Soviet (parliament) of Ukraine proclaimed that Ukraine would no longer follow the laws of the USSR, and only follow the laws of the Ukrainian SSR, de facto declaring Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union. On December 1, Ukrainian voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum formalizing independence from the Soviet Union. Currently, I have two books written by Serhii Plokhy about the history of Ukraine: The Gates of Europe and The Last Empire. Both are fascinating and I hope to finish them this summer.

Cook a Traditional Meal

We all love food, right? Cooking a traditional meal from your ancestors’ culture or country of origin is an excellent way to bridge the gap between your family’s past and present. Doing hands-on activities can truly make you feel as if you’re in the culture itself. Last week, I got to make varenyky, which are filled dumplings made by wrapping unleavened dough around a savory or sweet filling and cooking in boiled water, or pan-frying.

Borscht

I ate mine with fried onion and sour cream because that’s just what you do. Another amazing Ukrainian dish is a soup called borscht, which has beetroots as one of the main ingredients, thus giving the dish its distinctive red color. If you mix it with sour cream, it tastes even better and turns pink.

Celebrate Cultural Holidays

Holidays are an essential part of any culture. They form the structure and foundations of your families and our society. Tradition brings people together and brings a sense of comfort and belonging. Here are the holidays that my family celebrates:

• Eastern Orthodox Christmas - 7 January 2020
• Orthodox Easter - 19 April 2020
• Independence Day of Ukraine - 24 August 2020

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  Vyshyvanka Run in D.C. Organized by Henrikh Karpynskyi

An essential tradition is the Vyshyvanka Run, which takes place on the Day of Independence of Ukraine, August 24th. My dad decided to start our own Vyshyvanka Run and managed to bring together 20-30 fellow Ukrainians to run in D.C every year on Independence Day of Ukraine. Children ould run the 1K and adults would run either the 5K or 10K. In the end, we would all get awarded medals. The reason for this being called the Vyshyvanka Run is because everyone wears a vyshyvanka, a national Ukraine shirt that features special embroidery. Culture allows people to unite and celebrate and feel a sense of pride and belonging. By connecting to my cultural heritage, I will come out with a new sense of identity and overcome my feelings of disconnection. For those of you that feel the urge to connect with your cultural heritage, let’s embark on this quest of identity, and together we will discover the meaning of who we are.