Elena is featured on January`s page of the 2021 Ukrainian Heritage calendar. This is her story:

“My name is Elena Schwem and I am very honored to be part of this wonderful Ukrainian Ethnic Project. I moved to the USA 21 years ago, quickly got assimilated to the American culture and slowly started forgetting my own Ukrainian roots until we created Ukrainian San Antonio and began promoting our culture and dances all over Texas.

This particular project gave me an opportunity to refresh my knowledge about Ukrainian old customs since I haven’t visited home in over 10 years, learn new things and form even stronger bond with my community. The photo shoot with Natalia brought out my childhood memories of my grandmothers and their love for our traditions.

I recall my sweet grandma Anastasia and her melodic voice singing while cooking. I missed her telling me her food recipes which I use all the time. I remembered her sitting by the window and embroidering pillows with creative flowery patterns. We still keep her handmade things. I felt so nostalgic like she was there in the room watching me getting dressed. I could almost feel her gentle touch and smell her food. It was like my favorite person in the world was alive again. I miss her so much!

The organizers of this event did an excellent job recreating old Ukrainian atmosphere in the photo shoot area. The pottery, flowers, costumes, wheat bouquets and cheerful music transformed me back to my childhood where I spent my summers in a small village Baglaiki with my father’s parents Joseph and Anna. I saw beautiful yellow wheat fields in front of me where I ran with my little brother and cousins. I remembered my old hiding spot at the river where I found peace and bonded with nature observing that beautiful forest with its noises. I was back at the old grandma’s house where she daily baked bread in the fire oven. I saw her colorful outfits just like Natalia’s costumes. Grandma Anna made her own clothes and embroidered everything with such intricate details only she could do. Everything in that room reminded me of her, even the pottery, since she cooked in those identical pots. The music was so authentic that I remembered Anna gathering with the other women in the church and sang those same tunes.

The atmosphere in Atlanta, Georgia - where the photo shoot took place- was so magical that it brought tears of joy to my eyes. I wore an outfit from the capital of Ukraine-Kyiv which made me feel like a real princess-панянка. I was so happy to represent the main city of my country and I carried myself with pride and grace. This whole experience brought me back to my motherland and reminded me that Ukraine and its traditions will always take a special part in my heart no matter where I live. It’s my heritage and pride! Preserving my Ukrainian culture means keeping my grandparents alive!”