'It brings us great joy to introduce you to Ukrainian cuisine' 

Ukrainian families attending Shipley Baptist Church marked the first anniversary of the invasion by Russia with a Ukrainian meal - and shared their thoughts on how the war 'has changed everything'

More than 60 people at Shipley Baptist Church in Yorkshire sat down to a lovely meal of Ukrainian food prepared by three families from Ukraine on Sunday (26 February).
 
Led by the Pryimak family, typical Ukrainian food was prepared and served after the Sunday service. Those attending enjoyed a menu of Borscht, smoked sausage, sauerkraut, "Olivie" salad, varenyky (stuffed Ukrainian dumplings), potato pancakes and assorted accompaniments.

The families served those gathered and everyone was delighted with the menu. People were given handouts explaining each of the dishes on offer.
  
The meal was preceded by worship led by John Froud, a deacon at the church, with the sermon being delivered by the Revd Glen Marshall, Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College.

At the end of the worship, Yulia Pryimak , who attends the church along with her husband, cousin and three young children, shared thoughts which have been on her heart this weekend one year after the invasion. Yulia and her family were sponsored to come to Shipley under the Government "Homes for Ukraine" scheme.

Yulia spoke in Ukrainian and her words were translated by Alexander, a support worker for Ukrainian families arriving in Bradford.

'For a year now, war has entered every Ukrainian's home, and it has not ended. A year of perseverance. A year of resilience. A year of unbreakability.
We have lost our sense of safety, peace, and a calm sky, and the word "home" has taken on a new meaning.

Those who have stayed in Ukraine and those who have scattered around the world are forced to endure a great deal of pain and hardship. On March 2, 2022, I also left home for the first time, getting into a car with my children, while Vadim stayed in Ukraine. I was heading in an unknown direction without understanding for how long, to protect my children and families like ours, of which there are so many in Ukraine.

Ukrainians are now like two tribes: 1) those who have left and 2) those who have stayed. It is sad because it is almost impossible for them to understand each other.

It also hurts me because we have returned home twice with the hope that the war would soon end. It is sad because I know what it is like to be unable to stay and unwilling to leave without a ticket back home. However, there are people who have a deep connection with Ukraine in their hearts, no matter where they are, and conversely, there are people who have stayed in Ukraine but seem to be absent because they are on the side of indifference or the enemy.

The war has changed everything. But for a Ukrainian, it is either freedom or death.

Victory is a million small actions, daily steps, mistakes, and successful decisions on the path to completing the struggle for life. Support, help, understanding, kindness, and love play a very important role at this time. Thank you for all of this - each and every one of you! For doing everything possible for our physical and emotional comfort, for every prayer. This always gives us strength.

It is difficult for me to speak English. It hurts me that my family can talk a lot about the war at a time when the greatest wish is for no country to know what it is like to hear explosions and see death everywhere. That's why I thought that maybe we shouldn't talk about anything today.

But I realize that this is what Russia wants, which is carrying out genocide and wants to destroy Ukraine, our faith, and culture. Ukraine is now the most mined country in the world. We pay a terrible price for our freedom and independence. We have the strength to live, work, believe in a peaceful sky, and be happy despite everything. That's why it brings us great joy to introduce you today to Ukrainian cuisine - dishes that are beloved in every family.

But before we all go to the kitchen together, I have one request. Please take a moment of silence to honour the memory of all those who have died in the war, for the return of prisoners of war, for the return of those who are on the front lines or have been forced to leave their homes.'

After Yulia had spoken and Alexander translated, John Froud asked the congregation to stand in silence in memory of those who have died in war, a very moving moment for everyone in the congregation.


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