NATALIA IMAN:

«THE IMAGE OF THE UKRAINIAN DIASPORA SHOULD CONFIRM THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION»

Ukrainian NATALIA IMAN was forced to escape from the war in distant Mexico. She was not only able to start a new life abroad, but also plans to create a powerful image of the Ukrainian diaspora. How will she succeed?

Read in our interview about the indestructibility and strength of the nation as well as about women appeared between war and exile.

– Welcome, Natalia! The war divided the lives of all Ukrainians into «before» and «after». What did you have to face?

– On the first day of the full-scale invasion, I experienced real horror and despair. I was in my house in Vyshgorod, enemy planes were flying above me and rockets were whistling. Only in the evening I was able to reach the children who at that time were in Gostomel with their father. And then there was a long road passing by tanks and burning cars to the west of Ukraine where no shots had been fired yet. Acquaintances or strangers gave us shelter. At first there was hope that everything would end quickly and we would return home. But when it became known that my city was occupied, together with my daughters I left for Poland. Just then, I got a call from an old friend of the family – the Mexican Carlos Otero, who invited me to his place and promised to help us. So we ended up in Mexico, in his family.

– What challenges awaited you in Mexico? Was it difficult to get used to new conditions?

– Like all refugees, I experienced deep depression because it was a forced migration. In addition, there were no social programs in Mexico for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Fortunately, I was immediately offered a job in my specialty. Friends helped to send the children to school and arrange insurance.

Difficulties arose due to the language barrier, because we spoke English, not Spanish. Also, Mexico has its own peculiarities related to the mentality and safety of movement. On the one hand, Mexicans are very warm and familyoriented, love children and this helped us in quick adaptation. And on the other hand, due to the existing system of racial hierarchy, they have a high rate of anxiety among the population. There was a moment when I was afraid that someone might offend my children, and I decided to start a new life in the United States. But fate decided otherwise. In America, I met my current husband, a Mexican, and returned here again. From that time, my more stable life began. I realized that I should study the history and culture of the country I live in, get used to Mexican food and mentality in general.

– Are there similarities between the culture of Ukrainians and Mexicans?

– In fact, there are many similarities. 15 years ago, I bought a traditional Mexican embroidered shirt, and no one in Ukraine could distinguish it from our national one. It was a very big shock for me then.

Mexicans are mostly Catholics by religion. They are very religious, and hence respect for the family, care for parents and children. The national flower of Mexico is the fluffy marigold. Sunflowers are very popular. Mexicans, like Ukrainians, wear flower wreaths, make them colourful and bright. They also have a charm – a doll similar to a Ukrainian reeled doll. There are similarities in various holidays, songs, traditional instruments, etc. Independence Day is a very big holiday for Mexicans as well as for us, because here they have not forgotten about the Spanish occupation.

– How did the idea to create a powerful, recognizable image of the Ukrainian diaspora come about?

– During the first six months of my stay in Mexico, I could not find people from Ukraine at all. That is, our diaspora (official or unofficial) simply did not exist. When I returned from a trip to America to Mexico, one such organization had already been registered here. And Ukrainians, who were scattered across the country, began to unite and help each other and the refugees. I got acquainted with the head of this diaspora and joined the cooperation. One of our projects is the rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders and it still exists. The problem was also that the Ukrainians who were in Mexico were somehow considered Russians. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it became increasingly infuriating. It was very difficult to explain to Latin Americans that we are different, that we have a different history and culture, despite our similar names and the same skin colour. They haven’t heard anything about Ukraine in Mexico. Instead, they knew about the Soviet Union. And they did not understand at all why the neighbouring country attacked us.

That is why I had the desire to create such a strong image of the Ukrainian diaspora, which would contribute to the recognisability of our nation.

The majority of Ukrainians in Mexico are women. All of them are strong, ambitious and, unlike emigrants of other nationalities, achieve great success. They will not ask for alms, wash toilets or sell coffee. Our women open dance studios, beauty salons, restaurants, work in powerful companies like Google. That is, they realize themselves in some profession. Therefore, the goal of the project is to show the strength of our nation through a Ukrainian woman –talented, ideological and indomitable.

– What is the idea of the project?

– In general, the project is contemplated in three stages. We found 20 women who are ready to present Ukraine, collected their stories and took pictures in national costumes and symbolic black and white ones. Art projects in Mexico are highly appreciated and always attract large audiences. Therefore, first, we plan to hold a photo exhibition of Ukrainian women’s portraits.

The next stage is the presentation of short and meaningful videos about the life stories of Ukrainian women. Some of them sought salvation from the war in Mexico. And some came here many years ago to find themselves. In fact, we inform the world about the realities in Ukraine and at the same time motivate other people for certain achievements.

For example, one of our heroines came to Mexico from Lviv during her student years. In Ukraine, her parents forced her to study economics, but she always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. In five years in Mexico, she learned the language from scratch and graduated from a pilot school. Now, together with her husband, she has two of her own planes and is developing a private pilot school. Why am I emphasizing this? Because when I came to Mexico, I really lacked the motivation to do something, to realize myself, to retrain. Such stories about women who did not give up can be an example for others. When the project was presented to Mexican students, they were extremely impressed.

Third, we are designing a book that will include 20 stories along with photos. This is a kind of almanac, the embodiment of intangible heritage, in which we will tell about the war, present the Ukrainian diaspora, culture and nation namely through the women who live in Mexico.

– Who supports you in the implementation of this idea?

– My husband supports me the most both with the idea itself and financially. Because starting something creative in a foreign country is in fact very risky and responsible. I am infinitely grateful to him for this.

And I also want to thank all Ukrainians who agreed to implement the project. These are not only heroines, but also photographers, correctors, retouchers and many others.

– I know you also plan to head a charitable foundation! What is its purpose?

– Now I work in the large logistics company Onest, in the department of social support and social protection. I am involved in projects and programs for people who need help. This is very close to me, because my activities in Ukraine were also related to the social sphere. I was engaged in social policy in the public service, was a deputy and was responsible for orphans and low-income families. And already in the Mexican company I was offered to head a social fund that will contribute to helping the weak and needy. Now we are working on it, going through the procedural points. It is important that an item of supporting emigrants will be provided in the fund. This will open up new opportunities for Ukrainian refugees in particular.

– At the end of our conversation, what would you like to convey to our readers, Ukrainian women?

– Ukrainians are a really strong nation. And this power flows through our veins, is transmitted to us genetically. To feel it, it is enough to remember who we are, to turn to our own roots!

A Ukrainian woman can achieve the impossible regardless of where she is. Feel this power in yourself and go ahead to win the world and be an example for others!