Rozmai Ukrainian Dancers: Where newcomers find family and belonging
Submitted by Larissa Ashdown, Vice Chair and Treasurer, Rozmai Ukrainian Dancers
Rozmai’s story is a testament to the strength of family, community, and hope in the face of unimaginable hardship.
The Tylman family arrived in Winnipeg after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, carrying only the courage in their hearts and the hope for a safer life. With six family members, they bravely boarded the bus every Sunday to worship at St. Ivan Suchavsky Church. It was there, that parishioners discovered their struggle—the family had no furniture, only the most basic clothing, and precious little food.
In a beautiful outpouring of compassion, the parish community rallied together, filling the church basement with essentials so the family could choose what they needed. It was in this spirit of warmth and generosity that the family met Marianne Lozinski, Chair of the Board of Directors of Rozmai Ukrainian Dancers. When the family shared their wish for their children to take part in Ukrainian dancing, Marianne reached out to Rozmai—where her own children danced—paving the way for the Tylmans to attend weekly rehearsals, with four young children, including an infant, in tow.
Since then, the Tylman family has become a cherished part of Rozmai. Never forgetting the generosity shown to them, they always give back—helping with costumes, sewing, and supporting Rozmai in countless ways. Their spirit of giving has touched everyone in our community. Tetiana has generously volunteered her time and skills to repair costumes for our students. Her selfless contributions have been invaluable and are a testament to her commitment to the community.
“I like that my children have the opportunity to enjoy Ukrainian culture and dances far from their homeland. Children have the opportunity to be in a familiar Ukrainian environment from childhood,” says Tetiana Tylman.
The Tylman family has also played a significant role in recommending Rozmai to others, helping our school grow and strengthen our community ties. Tetiana brings with her a strong knowledge of diverse traditions, language, culinary practices, valuable skills, education, and work experience, especially deep knowledge of traditional Ukrainian costuming, enriching the cultural fabric of Rozmai and the greater community.
Our story highlights how Rozmai has given newcomers a community away from their home. We are committed to having each member feel like family, and the Tylman family is the perfect example of how we have come together as a community to showcase our Ukrainian heritage and be resilient!
We are so appreciative of funds received from dedicated organizations such as Folklorama through their Cultural Preservation Fund who and keep us going with this important work!
(Photo of Tetiana’s children Olya and Bohdan)