Yaryna Levytska, the founder of Ukrainian Spirit by Yaryna Levytska, actively promotes Ukrainian culture abroad. She shared with us her challenges, achievements, and plans for the future.
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What challenges and achievements in your work inspire you the most?
I am inspired by challenges that allow me to reveal the depth of my work and emphasize the importance of Ukraine, especially abroad. It is an opportunity to convey our traditions and customs and to remind the world that a war is still ongoing in our country. My greatest achievement is helping people and contributing to our victory.
I move step by step, doing everything possible for our shared goal. Although I am trained as a political scientist, I never aspired to become a well-known politician. My life unfolded naturally—I have always sought happiness and security, and public recognition was never my priority. The achievements of my previous projects inspire me to dedicate even more effort to victory in the war and, once peace comes, to contribute fully to the reconstruction of Ukraine and the well-being of Ukrainians.
Are there times when you feel tired and want to give up?
No! Many friends say that I might burn out, but I don’t feel that way. Sometimes I get tired, and maybe once every six months I feel like taking a single day to do nothing. In such moments, I go for a run and spend time with my closest loved ones. By evening, my energy returns, and I am ready to act again. I am very active in my life, and even when it seems like I should rest, the responsibility toward people who need my help always motivates me to keep going.
How do you promote Ukrainian culture in the United States?
Promoting Ukrainian culture in the U.S. includes participation in various events—both planned and spontaneous. For example, we are often invited to represent Ukraine at different festivals, such as Peruvian or Caribbean festivals, even when they are not directly related to Ukraine.
One of the key events is the annual Vatra Ukrainian Culture Festival in Orlando, which lasts two days and brings together participants and organizers from across America. In addition, we participate in the Fusion Festival, which represents over 150 countries, where I serve as the Florida ambassador of Ukrainian culture.
I also actively promote Ukrainian culture at religious events in churches and other Ukrainian institutions.
Furthermore, I work on organizing various events in partnership with Ukrainian Project, Chaikovsky Productions, and Intellectual Leadership. I am planning to participate in the 10th Star Independent Film Festival in Miami, where films such as “Bucha”, “Taste of Freedom”, “Let’s Dance”, “The Black Cossack”, and “Me, Pobeda and Berlin” will be screened this year.
Part of my work is planned in advance, but much happens spontaneously—and it is this diversity that truly inspires me.
Can we say that you are a mentor working with children?
Yes, I work as a mentor and volunteer in Orange County, particularly at Blankner School, and in 2022 I received an award as the Best Mentor of the region. Although I currently mentor fewer children than at the beginning, I continue to provide both academic and psychological support, including picking children up from classes for additional activities.
For example, one of my mentees wanted to participate in a talent show but did not have the opportunity. To support her and help develop her talent, I purchased a unicycle so she could perform.
What values do you want to pass on to children?
The most important thing I want to pass on to children is knowledge about Ukrainian traditions and their roots. Despite living in America, it is crucial to preserve Ukrainian culture and respect for parents. The war has taught us to support one another, and I strive to instill these values in everything I do.
A well-known Ukrainian volunteer and cultural promoter — YARYNA LEVYTSKA — helps war veterans with rehabilitation and actively promotes Ukrainian culture in the United States.
What is the strength of this bright and unbreakable woman? What plans does the mentor have for the future? Find out in our conversation!
Yaryna, last time we talked in depth about your volunteer work and support for the Ukrainian military. Today we want to learn more about you as a person. Where were you born and when did you move to the United States?
I was born in the small town of Radekhiv in the Lviv region. I attended a school with advanced foreign language studies and participated in clubs, drama theater, music school, art school, dancing, and other forms of art. I often took part in competitions and academic olympiads.
At the age of 17, I entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and later studied at the Institute of International Relations. In 2011, I traveled to America for the first time to attend a conference.
At that time, I already knew my future husband, who invited me to the U.S. I decided to stay for two months and enrolled in a business school, which I completed externally.
Before the full-scale invasion in 2022, I spent most of my time in Ukraine. Now I spend more time in the U.S. due to my daughter’s education—she will soon start second grade. We spend one winter month and two summer months in Ukraine. I believe the war will end soon, and then I will be able to spend more time in my homeland.
You are now actively promoting Ukrainian culture abroad and organizing various events. What horizons has promotion opened for you?
First of all, it has allowed me to meet talented people with whom I collaborate on various projects. I share experience and ideas and interact with representatives of different nationalities and cultures.
The main goal of my work is to showcase and convey Ukrainian traditions, culture, and customs to a broad audience, especially in the United States. It is important to make them understandable and engaging for local communities. A particularly important aspect of this work is building partnerships and cooperation with various organizations. I believe this will help create larger and more meaningful projects.
What kind of mother are you? What Ukrainian traditions do you have in your family?
I have a wonderful daughter, and I am incredibly proud of her. She is my inspiration and the meaning of my life, giving me strength and energy for new achievements. We learn from each other: she plays the piano, and I played and still play; she dances, and I danced and continue to dance with her. We learn together, explore new things, and complement one another. I strive to be a role model for my daughter, as children follow their parents. She is so strong and talented that I am confident she will achieve great success in the future.
As for Ukrainian traditions, we sincerely honor them. I strive to preserve and pass them on to my children, and later to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We celebrate Easter and Christmas according to Ukrainian traditions—with embroidered clothing, prayers, and traditional Ukrainian dishes.
We paint pysanky and color Easter eggs, sing carols, and uphold the tradition of hospitality by welcoming friends and relatives with Ukrainian music. We study Ukrainian poetry and sing Ukrainian songs.
Every Sunday, we try to attend church, although it is not always possible due to many weekend events. We also maintain the tradition of addressing parents formally as “Vy” (a respectful form of address), which emphasizes respect in relationships and is an important part of our family upbringing.
What is your feminine strength? Could you share your personal recipe for success?
Perhaps my feminine strength lies in being a very social person. I easily connect with people, know how to listen and give advice, and quickly build rapport, which attracts others. People often tell me that my eyes smile and my face radiates joy. I try to find positives even in difficult situations, turning obstacles into stepping stones toward my goals and success.
My recipe for success is love for life and people, as well as a positive approach to everything I do. My energy and strength are born from this positivity and from helping others.
What goals do you set for yourself? What are you preparing for in the near future?
First of all, I am preparing for the Victory. My goal is to return to my homeland not just for short trips to help others or visit my parents, but to truly enjoy life in my native country.
My goals are ambitious, but I do not disclose all the details yet. I hope everything will succeed, and then everyone will hear about them. One of my main goals is to continue helping people, especially our military personnel and veterans. I plan to be involved in various projects related to the veteran movement and to actively promote Ukrainian culture in the United States.
It is important to me that my work brings real benefit and helps those who have suffered from the war. This is my mission and my goal for the near future.
Florida, Orlando
