Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

In 1992, the Ukrainian port city of Mykolayiv suddenly opened to the world. It was a year after the country gained its independence and the times were heady—but also precarious.With no experience in international marketing and almost no one able to speak English, Ukraine’s new freedom left people vulnerable to outsiders who understood the system far better than they did.This personal recollection of Victor Sergeyev captures the shock of encountering shady "businessmen" from the west and of the hyperinflation that would soon make basic goods triple in price overnight. It also describes the wonder of enjoying the first open political discussions after independence, and a business trip to Hamburg that underscored the contrast of stability and abundance in the west with the realities of life in post-soviet Ukraine.Yet despite the chaos, Ukrainians willingly adapted to the new trajectory on their path to life in a free country.

Public interest in Ukrainian Jewish heritage has resurfaced recently, prompted in part by media attention around social media influencer Laura Loomer’s discovery of her own Ukrainian Jewish roots and about-face on Ukraine.Fame aside, it's a story and situation shared by many less famous people and families. And many of these "unsung heroes" have done outstanding work to help bring this history into wider public view.In this conversation Marla Raucher Osborn explores her search for her grandmother’s birthplace in Rohatyn and how that personal journey developed into a sustained effort to recover and document the Jewish heritage of the town.The interview was originally recorded and broadcast in 2017, with support from Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, at a time when work like this was moving forward in Ukraine and gaining momentum.This is Part 1 of a two-part interview. The full transcript is available on the Nash Holos blog here..

Public interest in Ukrainian Jewish heritage has resurfaced recently, prompted in part by media attention around social media influencer Laura Loomer’s discovery of her own Ukrainian Jewish roots and about-face on Ukraine.Fame aside, it's a story and situation shared by many less famous people and families. And many of these "unsung heroes" have done outstanding work to help bring this history into wider public view.In this conversation Marla Raucher Osborn explores her search for her grandmother’s birthplace in Rohatyn and how that personal journey developed into a sustained effort to recover and document the Jewish heritage of the town.The interview was originally recorded and broadcast in 2017, with support from Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, at a time when work like this was moving forward in Ukraine and gaining momentum. This is Part 1 of a two-part interview. The full transcript is available on the Nash Holos blog here..

Cabbage is a staple in Ukrainian cuisine, not just for its many outstanding health benefits but for its versatility and economy.The quintessential Ukrainian cabbage dish is of course holubtsi, aka cabbage rolls. The traditional rolls can be quite time consuming to make, so modern cooks often opt for "lazy cabbage rolls" which is basically a layered casserole of cabbage, rice, and other ingredients.In this episode of Ukrainian Food Flair, Sylvia shares her recipe for a hearty dinner variation with ground beef, rice, and cabbage.She also shares some very interesting anecdotes about cabbage folklore and medicinal qualities.

This edition of Knyzhka Corner discusses The Blue Riviera – A Daughter’s Investigation, a memoir recounting a daughter’s effort to understand the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death in 1960.The review outlines Sally Tomiuk Kurpita’s early life in Stari Kuti, her family’s immigration to Canada, her illness on the voyage, and her involvement in Montreal’s Ukrainian Catholic community.It describes the events leading up to her fatal car accident, the unanswered questions surrounding her final hours, and the impact of her death on her daughter’s life.The review follows the author’s exploration of family history, her relationship with her father, her connection to Ukrainian heritage, and her reflections on Ukrainian history and current events.More information about the author and her work is available at her website.

Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch is a story about a little known aspect of Nazi camps – the 3.3 to 5 million Ostarbeiters, or forced labourers. Readers will learn a great deal about World War II and the treatment of captured Ukrainian civilians. Skrypuch’s characters overcome great challenges during a period of war and intense turbulence. Her images of suffering are unforgettable. The novel begins in 1943 as Lida and her younger sister Laryssa are separated after the Nazis take over their village. Nine-year old Lida is sent to a work camp in Bavaria and struggles to survive in the horrible conditions there.Read the full transcript on the Nash Holos blog here.

A conversation with Vincent Rees of Cobblestone Freeway and Ukraine Dance World, and organizer of the first annual West Coast Ukie Fest in Vancouver, Burnaby and Sidney, BC Jun 28-30. Vincent shares his vision for launching this festival, as well as giving us a sneak preview of all the events at this exciting extravaganza taking place over three days at three different locations. Newsflash: there will be perogies. Along with workshops and demonstrations, Ukrainian arts & crafts, music, dancing, and great Ukrainian food. Including perogies. Find festival details and update on Facebook.

At the end of May this year (2026), during his annual routine maintenance visit to the Castle Mountain Camp memorial in Banff National Park, Borys Sydoruk of the National Internment Committee was shocked to discover that two bronze plaques were missing and the statue itself had been damaged. In this conversation, he discussed the likely motive behind the theft, the RCMP investigation, and Parks Canada’s uncertain response over who should repair a monument funded by the Ukrainian community and gifted to Parks Canada. As well, he shared the wider story of Canada’s First World War internment operations, and reminded listeners of the role of internees—used as slave labour—in developing Canada’s national parks. He also discussed the struggle to mark these sites across the country, and what this kind of vandalism reveals about how little most Canadians still know—or are taught—about this dark chapter of Canada's history.