Honouring Heritage, Sharing Hope

On June 28, students in the Ukrainian bilingual program at Bethlehem Catholic High School, under the leadership of their teacher, Viktoriia Marko, hosted the event Honouring Heritage, Sharing Hope. The gathering celebrated the resilience, culture, and voices of young Ukrainians in our community and was graciously hosted by Musée Ukraina Museum.

The event showcased two significant projects that students have been developing over the past several years: a video interview with Lesia Voroniuk, founder of World Vyshyvanka Day, and the presentation of New Roots: Stories of Resilience and Hope, a powerful collection of stories written by GSCS Ukrainian students who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine.

The book highlights personal experiences of resilience, adaptation, and hope, offering readers a meaningful glimpse into the journeys of young newcomers in our community.

Copies of New Roots: Stories of Resilience and Hope can be purchased for $20 at Musée Ukraina Museum, directly from compiler Viktoriia Marko (VMarko@gscs.ca), or through MySchoolBucks.

The cover artwork was created by Yulia Bekirova, a talented young Ukrainian artist and student at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

During the book presentation, compiler Viktoriia Marko shared both the inspiring and challenging process of collecting the stories and bringing the publication to life. Dr. William Gulka, who edited the book, reflected on the impact the stories had on him as a reader and the importance of preserving these voices for future generations.

The event was emceed by students from the Ukrainian bilingual program, whose professionalism and enthusiasm contributed to the evening's success.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this initiative, including Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools administration and staff, as well as Musée Ukraina Museum for generously hosting the event. Your encouragement and support made this celebration of culture, heritage, and hope possible.

Photos by Bethlehem Ukrainian program alumna Illia Fedoryshen.