The Mayor's speech included many words addressed to Ukrainians, about supporting refugees and the large Ukrainian community of Brooklyn. And among the invitees, there were at least a few Ukrainians. But the aftertaste of such an unprecedented event was spoiled at the entrance, where the mummers stood and strummed balalaikas. 

While considering whether to go to Mayor Adams' Eastern-European Cultural Heritage Reception 2024, which took place at the residence of the head of the world's capital, the words of instruction of the late Bishop Vasyl Losten kept coming to mind: "If we are not there, then our voice is not there and no one will know about us."

Together with Angela Kravchenko, Democratic District Leader, who is the only Ukrainian woman holding an elected position (Assembly District 46), we also came to support Olena Makhnina, who is the Executive Director of the Baryton Beach Business District and received an award from the mayor for active community activities. “I am Ukrainian Jewish,” emphasized Ms. Olena, accepting the award.

Pleasant meetings, familiar faces, buffet… In the Mayor’s speech, words addressed to Ukrainians and about supporting refugees and the large Ukrainian community of Brooklyn were heard many times. And among the invitees, it seemed, there were at least the most Ukrainians, and our voice was the loudest. But the aftertaste of such an unusual event was spoiled even at the entrance, where the mummers stood and strummed balalaikas. Before the start of the solemn part, we were “invited” to come closer to the stage, and one of the speakers with Russian roots emphasized how united we all are.

In previous years, in response to an invitation to a “meeting with representatives of the Russian-speaking population and post-Soviet republics,” I wrote that since we have no relationship with the Russian-speaking population, we have no need to participate in it. And in general, why should Ukrainians gather under one roof with representatives of the culture that was imposed on us and destroyed ours for centuries. When in 2022 the “brothers” showed their aggressor essence to the whole world, the organizers began to call the group Eastern-European Cultural Heritage. This year, they added representatives of Central Asian countries that were enslaved and lived “as one family in the Soviet Union.” So, they are still trying to lump us together….

In my story “On the Other Side of the Ocean,” based on a true story, the daughter of the main character tells how her father, a German by origin, was ashamed of belonging to the nation that unleashed World War II, although he himself never lived in Germany, he was born in America. Will representatives of the country that unleashed a criminal war in the center of Europe in the 21st century ever feel ashamed of the actions of their country and people and, finally, stop crawling out of all the cracks with their balalaikas?

The only "Glory to Ukraine", thanks to which the real Eastern Europe does not know what war is today, was uttered by a representative of the Polish community in a speech after receiving an award for active civic activity, and I would add - for a conscious civic position.