Easter marks a bittersweet holiday for Ukrainians in the Maritimes
Moncton's Ukrainian community held an Easter bazaar Sunday with traditional painted eggs, Easter bread, sweets, and savoury treats like pierogies and cabbage rolls
The bazaar was held at a community centre on Church Street in downtown Moncton.
Members of the Ukrainian Club of Moncton say it's more important to preserve traditions now than when they were actually living in Ukraine.
“If we don't do that, we may start forgetting who we are,” said Nataliia Haidash, club president. “We also have kids who haven't had this experience of seeing how this is done in Ukraine. For example, my child was born in Canada, so if we don't keep with the traditions, they will grow up without knowing.”
Olesia Bulenok agrees.
“It's us, our traditions, our language, it's who we are. For me as a parent, it's really important as well that my daughters will know all of our traditions and they can speak my language,” said Bulenok.
While the event is festive, it's hard for the Ukrainian community to celebrate when their homeland is at war.
“It's hard to celebrate any kind of family holiday with part of our family and friends in Ukraine, knowing that they won't be able to do normal celebrations,” said Haidash. “It's the same as it is with Christmas or any other holiday.”
Bulenok said it’s very hard for her to feel festive.
“My heart is broken because not everybody is safe there. Not everybody can have Easter bread. Not everybody can have an appropriate celebration,” said Bulenok.
Ivanova said she’s happy her family and friends can gather together in New Brunswick.
“But in Ukraine, it's quite a difficult time and some families can't be together because fathers and sons are in the war right now,” said Ivanova.
There was also an Easter egg workshop held by Julia Khalack for anyone who wanted to learn the intricate details of painting Ukrainian Easter eggs, or Pysanka, by using wax and dyes.
“The egg is a symbol of a new life,” said Khalack.
Khalack said she didn’t know how to make Pysanka until she came to Canada. She was taught by two Ukrainians when she arrived in Moncton.
“Now I’m trying to pass on the tradition and teach it to whoever wants to learn this,” said Khalack.
Proceeds from Sunday’s bazaar will go toward purchasing medical supplies for Ukrainian soldiers back home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.