How Ukrainians in Italy preserve their national identity

Ukrainians in Italy are one of the largest and most active ethnic groups in the country. Before the war in Ukraine, 234,058 Ukrainians lived in Italy, 13.4% of all foreign residents. Most of them are labour migrants working in the care sector, looking after elderly and sick people. Yet Ukrainians in Italy do not lose touch with their homeland and their culture. On the contrary, they work actively to preserve and promote their national identity through a range of forms and channels.

One of the main ways of preserving national identity is language. Ukrainians in Italy try to maintain and develop their mother tongue, using it in everyday conversation, reading, study and leisure. There are many initiatives in Italy for learning and teaching Ukrainian, such as:
Ukrainian schools run by Ukrainian churches, associations and the Embassy. According to the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council, 65 Ukrainian schools operate in Italy, attended by many children. They teach not only the language but also history, geography, literature, music, art and other subjects of Ukrainian culture.
Ukrainian courses for adults, taught by Ukrainian teachers, volunteers, scholarship students and others. Such courses are organised by Ukrainian associations, cultural centres, libraries, universities and other institutions. In Rome, for example, the Centre for Ukrainian Culture and Language offers Ukrainian courses at various levels, as well as lectures, seminars, exhibitions, concerts and other events devoted to Ukrainian culture.
Materials for learning Ukrainian, available online and in print. Several textbooks, dictionaries, readers and other Ukrainian language aids have been published in Italy, particularly for children and beginners. Online, there are also countless websites, programs, videos, audio recordings, games and tests that help you learn Ukrainian on your own or with a teacher.
Another important way of preserving national identity is culture. Ukrainians in Italy strive to maintain and spread their cultural heritage, showing their creativity, talent and patriotism. There are many initiatives in Italy aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture and making it better known, such as:
Ukrainian festivals, fairs, celebrations and competitions held by Ukrainian associations, churches, the Embassy and other partners. At these events you can see Ukrainian folk dances, singing, music and costume, vyshyvankas (embroidered shirts), pysankas (decorated Easter eggs), crafts, delicacies and other hallmarks of Ukrainian culture. Every year in Rome, for example, the Festival of Ukrainian Culture “Discover Ukraine” draws thousands of visitors.
Ukrainian art, literary, academic and educational events run by Ukrainian and Italian artists, writers, scholars, teachers and others. At such events you can discover Ukrainian artistic and scientific work, exchange experience and ideas, and build cooperation and partnerships. In Naples, for example, the Institute of Ukrainian Studies organises lectures, conferences, presentations, exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings and other events devoted to Ukrainian culture and scholarship.
Ukrainian media, reporting on events, news, analysis, culture, sport, entertainment and more concerning Ukrainians in Italy and in Ukraine. Ukrainian newspapers, magazines and newsletters are published in Italy, and there are Ukrainian television and radio channels, websites, blogs, social media pages and so on. In Rome, for example, the monthly newspaper “Ukraine in Italy” covers the life, problems, achievements and events of the Ukrainian community in Italy.
In this way, Ukrainians in Italy express their national identity through a variety of forms and channels that allow them not only to preserve but also to develop and promote their language, culture, traditions and values. Ukrainians in Italy also contribute to the development and enrichment of Italian society, fostering cultural exchange, dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.