'Too Foreign for Home' with Maarit Tymchyshyn

russia’s war against Ukraine is ongoing. The war has brought a rollercoaster of emotions for many. We’ve been frustrated, annoyed, angry, heartbroken, sad. And in other moments we’ve felt hopeful, immense pride and patriotism, and a strong love for Ukraine. 

Among many standing up for Ukraine, plenty of creatives have been sharing their heart, sharing news, and sharing their support for Ukraine by creating graphics, works of art, writing, and music, among other creations. This creative movement has been a way for people to connect with what’s happening on a deeper and different level. 

One of these artists is Maarit Tymchyshyn, a Ukrainian-Canadian artist working out of Winnipeg. We met her through social media and right away felt connected to her. She’s spent time living, studying, and working in Ukraine and a lot of her work as an artist is influenced by her Ukrainian heritage. One of her projects is called Ukrainadian, a platform for Ukraine to be heard through stories, arts, food, and music. You can learn more on her website and how you can be a part of it, and we will continue sharing about it as she builds this project. 

Shortly after russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine started, Maarit posted a personal essay called “Too Foreign For Home” on her website. It’s a really powerful piece, and so much of it resonated with us, so we wanted to share it with our audience. Find a comfy spot and read the piece here or listen to the audio version on Vsi.

Independence Monument on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo by Maarit Tymchyshyn.