Professor of History and Slavic Studies at the University of Victoria Dr Serhy Yekelchyk will speak at the Comox Community Center on 8 October.

The current numbers of Ukrainian citizens living in the Comox Valley since March 2022 has exceeded 235 individuals. These survivors of Putin’s illegal war are predominantly women and school age children. Some are men who are working, and a few survivors are  grandmothers and
grandfathers. All have left their homes and jobs, their families and friends and the country which they love. All are grateful for the support from Valley residents since they arrived.

Understanding why Ukraine was illegally invaded will not change nor stop the pain. You are not alone if you are trying but failing to make sense of the invasion. Putin’s War which began over 30 months ago seems to not have an end in sight. Those of us living in the western world have
difficulty separating social media lies from partial truths and blatant distortions. 

The Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society (CVUCS) has invited a professor of History and Slavic Studies from the University of Victoria specializing in Russo-Ukrainian relations to help us gain a better understanding.

Serhy Yekelchyk, born and educated in Ukraine, received a B.A. from Kyiv University, his M.A. from the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He is the author of eight books on modern Ukrainian history and Russo-Ukrainian relations including the award-winning Stalin’s Citizens: Everyday Politics in the Wake of Total War (Oxford University Press, 2014). In addition, Dr. Yekelchyk is current president of the Canadian Association for Ukrainian Studies.

Dr. Yekelchyk’s live Zoom presentation will address the following questions:

• What is the ancient and historical relationship between present day Russia and Ukraine?
• When did the notion of nationhood first emerge in Ukraine and how does that relate to the city state of Kyiv?
• What is Muscovy?
• How does Ukraine’s experience during WW II relate to Putin’s war in Ukraine?
• Why does Putin refer to Ukraine as a Fascist and Antisemitic State?

Please bring your curiosity and questions! 

October 8th, Doors open at 7:30pm.

Room C, Comox Community Centre (1855 Noel Ave).

Admission is by donation. CVUCS members are free. All proceeds will support the integration of Ukrainian newcomers living in the Comox Valley.

Donations are also accepted via email to cvukrainianculturalsociety@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Eugene Hrushowy, Culture & Education Director
Janette Martin-Lutzer, President