Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

International correspondent Sergei Loiko reflects on his time inside the Donetsk airport during the height of the fighting — a rare vantage point that later shaped his novel Aeroport. This 2016 interview captures how the battle was understood before the English translation appeared and before the full‑scale invasion reshaped global awareness. A clear, unfiltered snapshot of the early phase of Russia’s war against Ukraine.***In January 2016, international correspondent Sergei Loiko joined Nash Holos for a conversation shaped by his rare firsthand experience inside the Donetsk airport during the height of the fighting. Loiko was the only foreign journalist to spend several days embedded with the Ukrainian defenders known as the Cyborgs — access that later informed his novel Aeroport, published in Ukrainian and Russian in 2016.This interview was recorded the day after his Ottawa presentation marking the release of those original editions. At the time, no English version existed; the translation would not appear until 2018, under the title Airport.Re‑released now to provide historical context on the early phase of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the discussion offers a clear, unfiltered snapshot of how the battle was understood at the time — before the full‑scale invasion and before Loiko’s novel reached an international readership. His reflections on the soldiers, the siege, and the human cost of the conflict remain strikingly relevant.Coming soon on Knyzhka Corner: A review of the 2018 English translation of Airport.

In this Nash Holos exclusive from December 4, 2013, Pawlina speaks with Mirko Petriw—Vancouver-based author of two spy thrillers set in Ukraine and then-president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Vancouver branch.This interview was recorded at a point when events had not yet escalated, though the shift in the air was clear. It captures the mood, concerns, and emerging currents that would soon shape Ukraine’s future.Originally aired live on the Nanaimo edition of Nash Holos on CHLY 101.7 FM.

Interview with Iryna Mycak about the 2025 Shevchenko Foundation Annual Report. Spotlight on Ukrainian museums in Canada.For full radio episodes and archives, listen on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/nashholosukrainianrootsradio/

Gene Berezovski of Toronto-based Ukraine War Amps in conversation with Pawlina, chatting about giving a brief respite in Canada to a young relative in Ukraine, German Unity day and its parallels to the situation in Ukraine, and how the UWA Shoebox Program is a godsend to Ukrainian families and children displaced and disadvantaged as a result of russia's war of aggression against their homeland.

This edition of Knyzka Corner features Orysia Tracz’s book, First Star I See Tonight: Ukrainian Christmas Traditions. In this beautiful book, Orysia Tracz explores the origins, rituals, and cultural significance of Ukrainian Christmas traditions in her first book, First Star I See Tonight. The book includes a number of articles about Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in Winnipeg and Manitoba since the first immigration to Canada more than 125 years ago. It is the first in-depth English language book on Ukrainian Christmas traditions, and will definitely be of interest to Ukrainian families throughout the world. Full transcript here: First Star I See Tonight: A Knyzhka Corner Book Review – Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

In this Nash Holos exclusive interview from 2014, Pawlina speaks with Mirko Petriw, Vancouver-based author of two spy thrillers set in Ukraine and president of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress Vancouver branch.Recorded during the Maidan Uprising, in the tense weeks leading up to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, this conversation delves into the intersection of energy politics, propaganda, and democratic struggle in Ukraine.Listeners will hear about:• Ukraine’s shale gas ambitions and what they could have meant for energy independence  • How Russia and Gazprom sought to block Ukraine’s EU association and undermine shale gas development  • The propaganda battles around fracking and environmental fears, echoing debates in the West  • The political crackdown on protesters, including restrictive laws and state-directed violence against demonstrators  • The broader struggle for sovereignty, democracy, and Ukraine’s future direction  Petriw’s insights reveal how hopes for energy independence collided with Russian influence, Gazprom’s pressure, and authoritarian tactics during one of Ukraine’s most pivotal moments.This interview originally aired on the Vancouver edition of Nash Holos on AM1320 CHMB on January 18, 2014.

A Nash Holos Feature Interview with Nick Buderatsky, a patriotic Ukrainian volunteer who was mentored by legendary combat medic Taira and went on to become a civilian paramedic working on Ukraine's front lines, including Avdiivka and Irpin. Despite being injured himself, he helped save countless lives — including in Bucha and Irpin, where he set up a mobile field hospital modeled after a M.A.S.H. unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) following the 2022 massacre.He also is an IT specialist and helped Ukrainian soldiers innovate and improvise when western support lagged. I met Nick back in 2015 when he took me to visit a Donetsk airport Cyborg in a military hospital in Kyiv. (Story here) Originally aired in February, 2024.Disclaimer: References to “M.A.S.H.” are used in a descriptive, non-branded context to denote mobile surgical field hospitals. This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MAS*H television series or its rights holders.

Recently on Nash Holos I interviewed two authors of young adult novels set in war-torn Ukraine: 2022 Mariupol and 2014 Crimea. Both great reads but also gut-punching, even for adults."Kidnapped from Ukraine: Under Attack" by Marsha Skrypuch tells the story of 12-year old Dariia, who gets separated from her family during the attack on Mariupol. In the chaos she is abducted by russia, put through a filtration camp and placed against her will with a russian family."Swimming with Spies" tells the story of 12-year old Sofiya who tries to save Ukraine's therapy dolphins in Sevastopol from the invading russians intent on turning them back into military marine animals.Both authors share their experiences researching and writing these gripping, fascinating stories based on real life events in Ukraine.

Pawlina in conversation with Canadian Kobzar, one of the principals of Toonie Tuesdays, a unique and visionary fundraiser to support Ukraine. Kobzar explains the crowd-funding approach that Toonie Tuesdays takes to overcome the inevitable "compassion fatigue" and in the process makes fundraising for Ukraine accessible to anyone who can spare a toonie ($2) to help defenders in Ukraine. At the time of this chat Toonie Tuesdays had already raised over $600,000 for Ukraine in less than a year. He also explains the "west coast" connection to Toonie Tuesdays, NAFO, and the Wild Hornets. Originally aired March 29, 2025 on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio on AM1320CHMB Vancouver and April 2, 2025 on CHLY 101.7FM.In English. Recorded on March 26, 2025. For more information about Toonie Tuesdays visit www.toonietuesday.giveshttps://www.toonietuesday.gives/ Official Toonie Tuesday (@toonietuesday.bsky.social) — BlueskyFor more information on Nash Holos visit www.nashholos.com