The comment about becoming the Belarusian you want to be hit me hard.....half my family tree is Slovak and I struggle a lot feeling any connection or pride especially with current events.
I understand what you feel, and I wish you to find this connection despite everything. I hope my thoughts resonated with you and showed you that it’s possible. Learning about culture, history, resistance, and cooking traditional recipes helps me to connect more.
What a journey you have been on. I understand how you felt, wanting to renounce who you are because of the actions and words of others. For me, it didn't have to do with country/ethnicity but what I believe (others would use the word religion, but I choose not to use that word for my beliefs). I love that you decided to do some digging and found people in your heritage to be proud of. And that you've now embraced who you are so completely - it sounds like you have, at least. Beautiful.
Thank you! I couldn't imagine that life would bring me on this journey, but at some point, I couldn't stay blissfully ignorant anymore, and then everything changed like a domino effect. However, no matter how hard the lessons were, I'm grateful because they helped me see the true me.
I don't think any of us imagined this was the way the world would go. But I think the past all adds up to where we are, who we are and what we do with it all.
This is so beautiful I almost cried. It takes a lot to make me cry. What a wonderful heritage you have of resisting oppression and fighting for freedom.
Thank you for sharing this with your readers. I’m glad that you can keep your home in your heart and be proud of it. There is obviously so much to be proud of there, even if not everyone with that heritage is brave enough to embrace and build on it.
There is a Belarusian woman, Sviatlana, who comes to the rallies in London at least once a week, always with a Belarusian flag. A Jewish guy called Tommy carries a Belarus flag too. I know there has been some hostility towards Sviatlana in the past, and some complaints about the flag, but for 18 months there has been a Belarus flag flying at every rally, showing everyone that some Belarusians are standing up for Ukraine.
I am now back from Ukraine and my travels are recorded on annagoesukraine.wordpress.com If you ever feel like sharing anything with your followers that would be great, but no pressure – we can’t all share everything.
Thank you! Indeed, one needs the courage to embrace the heritage when it's been constantly erased and twisted by Russian colonialism and also by evil pro-Russian politicians such as Lukashenko. I loved reading about Sviatlana! Belarusians like her give me hope.
It's so good that you write down your experiences and stories from Ukraine visits! It's invaluable, as it's the evidence of the current events that, I hope, will be read by many!
One thing that has followed through my own culture/genealogy journey is the idea that my bones know, I just follow. Following my bones and intuition has lead me to find pieces of my family history that had otherwise been buried or destroyed by war, oppression, famine. And while I may never know even the basic story of my family, pieces of who I am and my convictions have only grown more clear with each fragment of family history I uncover. Your home is in your blood, your bones, and you bring it with it you and tend to it wherever you go. Who you are is your home. Any Ukrainian reading your words knows you are Ukrainian, literally or not. And the Belarusians who fight, have fought and died for their culture and sovereignty know you are Belarusian. And because of who you are and the work you continue to do, more will continue that fight.
Thank you, your comment deeply touched me! I feel that searching for your family history and roots is like a puzzle — with every piece found, you feel more complete. And because of the tragic history of our region, we have so many missing pieces, but when we find something, even the tiniest bit, we close the holes in our hearts and feel more at home. “Who you are is your home” — this is so true ❤️
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your story, Bill! It's interesting how some people just feel their ancestry, and the modern tests confirm it. I'm glad to hear that my words resonated with you and helped you to find more peace and understanding of your roots. I always cherish your feedback, and I'm happy to have you among my readers!
The comment about becoming the Belarusian you want to be hit me hard.....half my family tree is Slovak and I struggle a lot feeling any connection or pride especially with current events.
I understand what you feel, and I wish you to find this connection despite everything. I hope my thoughts resonated with you and showed you that it’s possible. Learning about culture, history, resistance, and cooking traditional recipes helps me to connect more.
What a journey you have been on. I understand how you felt, wanting to renounce who you are because of the actions and words of others. For me, it didn't have to do with country/ethnicity but what I believe (others would use the word religion, but I choose not to use that word for my beliefs). I love that you decided to do some digging and found people in your heritage to be proud of. And that you've now embraced who you are so completely - it sounds like you have, at least. Beautiful.
Thank you! I couldn't imagine that life would bring me on this journey, but at some point, I couldn't stay blissfully ignorant anymore, and then everything changed like a domino effect. However, no matter how hard the lessons were, I'm grateful because they helped me see the true me.
I don't think any of us imagined this was the way the world would go. But I think the past all adds up to where we are, who we are and what we do with it all.
This is so beautiful I almost cried. It takes a lot to make me cry. What a wonderful heritage you have of resisting oppression and fighting for freedom.
Thank you for your kind words, Rachel!
Thank you thank you thank you.
Thank you, Rob!
Thank you for sharing this with your readers. I’m glad that you can keep your home in your heart and be proud of it. There is obviously so much to be proud of there, even if not everyone with that heritage is brave enough to embrace and build on it.
There is a Belarusian woman, Sviatlana, who comes to the rallies in London at least once a week, always with a Belarusian flag. A Jewish guy called Tommy carries a Belarus flag too. I know there has been some hostility towards Sviatlana in the past, and some complaints about the flag, but for 18 months there has been a Belarus flag flying at every rally, showing everyone that some Belarusians are standing up for Ukraine.
I am now back from Ukraine and my travels are recorded on annagoesukraine.wordpress.com If you ever feel like sharing anything with your followers that would be great, but no pressure – we can’t all share everything.
Hi Anna,
Thank you! Indeed, one needs the courage to embrace the heritage when it's been constantly erased and twisted by Russian colonialism and also by evil pro-Russian politicians such as Lukashenko. I loved reading about Sviatlana! Belarusians like her give me hope.
It's so good that you write down your experiences and stories from Ukraine visits! It's invaluable, as it's the evidence of the current events that, I hope, will be read by many!
One thing that has followed through my own culture/genealogy journey is the idea that my bones know, I just follow. Following my bones and intuition has lead me to find pieces of my family history that had otherwise been buried or destroyed by war, oppression, famine. And while I may never know even the basic story of my family, pieces of who I am and my convictions have only grown more clear with each fragment of family history I uncover. Your home is in your blood, your bones, and you bring it with it you and tend to it wherever you go. Who you are is your home. Any Ukrainian reading your words knows you are Ukrainian, literally or not. And the Belarusians who fight, have fought and died for their culture and sovereignty know you are Belarusian. And because of who you are and the work you continue to do, more will continue that fight.
Thank you, your comment deeply touched me! I feel that searching for your family history and roots is like a puzzle — with every piece found, you feel more complete. And because of the tragic history of our region, we have so many missing pieces, but when we find something, even the tiniest bit, we close the holes in our hearts and feel more at home. “Who you are is your home” — this is so true ❤️
Beautifully written, sad, and heart-warming!
I’m sorry for the shame and guilt you felt, and for the way you have been treated by some people. You deserve better.
.
I grew up thinking I was 1/4 Eastern European (my paternal grandmother was Czech).
I always felt drawn to Eastern Europe, more than to my other countries of ancestry.
When Russia attacked Ukraine ( in 2014 and especially in 2022), I felt like my own family was being attacked.
.
This year, I found out through genetic testing that I am almost 1/8 Ukrainian, through my maternal grandmother.
.
Your story, your illustration of the roots of your tree, helps me better understand my own roots.
.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your story, Bill! It's interesting how some people just feel their ancestry, and the modern tests confirm it. I'm glad to hear that my words resonated with you and helped you to find more peace and understanding of your roots. I always cherish your feedback, and I'm happy to have you among my readers!