Sunflowers—soniashnyk in Ukrainian—have been grown in Ukraine since the mid-18th century and are an unofficial global symbol for the now-besieged country. The seeds are a popular snack, and fields of sunflowers used to dot the countryside and fuel the economy. The country of Ukraine accounted for the vast majority of worldwide sunflower oil production prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022. A symbol of peace, these flowers were on the minds of a small group of Ukrainian diaspora as they gathered at Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage, this February 24th, worlds away from the ongoing war back home.
Sunnylands— a place of history, hospitality, and diplomacy in the California desert— was the chosen meeting place for an organic commemoration of the second anniversary of the war. A public place — and very high profile locale for political, entertainment and business leaders and luminaries to meet — Sunnylands is a beautiful, serene spot dedicated to meaningful engagement. The somewhat spontaneous congregation was spearheaded by Nila Onuferko, a resident of Indian Wells.
The daughter of Ukrainian-born parents, Onuferko moved to the desert in 2021— amidst the pandemic— following the death of her mother Luba. A teacher and leader in the Ukrainian-American community in Philadelphia, Luba passed away at the age of 94. Onuferko grew up going to Ukrainian camp and remembers demonstrating for Ukrainian sovereignty as a young girl. As an adult, she hailed from New York City, and worked in the Club scene for many years, eventually becoming a social worker. She worked in many prestigious New York area hospitals for more than twenty years, until retirement brought her, her husband and doggie to the desert. When I asked why the Coachella Valley, she said “We love it, but it was plan B. Initially we were to retire in Sanibel, Florida”, but they feared for their pooch because of an ‘alligator problem.’ The Palm Springs area suited their artistic backgrounds: her husband had had a career in Music TV and advertising, her years in the nightclub scene, and their mutual love for all things mid-century modern. They were drawn by the cultural aspects, the light, the architecture, and (having had Lymes disease three times) she was smitten with the idea of a place without too many ticks. So, when the war in Ukraine broke out— on the heels of dealing with her mother’s estate—she was in some sense yearning for her Ukrainian brethren. She says: “Having to process my mother’s estate and going through artifacts she had preserved, ignited a feeling of injustice.” Digging through collections of embroidery and writings, she was struck: “This is my heritage.” She didn’t really know anyone in the area she might reach out to, and admits, even this small tribute was quite challenging to pull together.
Ukrainian refugees in the area I’ve spoken with feel strongly that the war began 10 years ago when Crimea was invaded. For American-born Onuferko, the story has deeper roots. Her mother— born in the town of Skole— left during WWII, when she was just 14. Orphaned at 17, she made her way to the U.S., thanks to the support of relatives and the community. Intellectuals were forced out, as generations before had also been forced out by pogroms and other nefarious acts.
Onuferko’s husband is of Jewish descent, and his ancestors came from Ukraine as well. They had lived together on the Lower East Side in New York City— where they still have an apartment— a neighborhood once overwhelmingly Ukrainian. Onuferko— a woman from a tight knit community of Ukrainian refugees in the Philadelphia area, with family still back in Ukraine—sees the current atrocities on a continuum. She says, “There are periods of stability and instability, but that idea of having your home invaded and being forced to leave is terrifying.” She thought, “How can I turn a blind eye?”
While pouring through her mother’s keepsakes and belongings she realized how often the fear of exile had made her mother hang onto so much stuff; this type of hoarding often follows those having been forcibly expelled from one’s homeland. The fear and desperation to hold onto one's legacy is part of the human condition. When she realized there was no commemoration for February 24th in the area, she decided to organize a small but mighty display of resilience and solidarity. The organizational challenges she faced put into perspective the long arc of injustices her people have faced, but the difference between now and when her parents fled the old country, is technology. She started connecting with friends and neighbors, using word of mouth, texting, hushed conversations, and finding others eager to gather. She reached out to Sunnylands and they said a small group— under 20 people —was allowed. Nineteen people showed up wearing yellow and gold and the culturally specific Ukrainian embroidery. Onuferko says she let the people lead. The group— including folks of all ages— wanted to be together and talk amongst themselves. She said, “Parents are dying, it is important for us to focus on survival.” She knows several people who have lost sons who have died in the war, and overall, it was a very emotional gathering. Lasting two hours on the afternoon of the second anniversary of the start of the recent conflict, the tribute was deeply meaningful:
“People came out on the 24th to remind others there is still a war in Ukraine and to have a safe place to talk about their feelings.” Onuferko also says many in the diaspora have fears about outwardly protesting, and concerns about having their names in the press, for fear of retribution. But when the group assembled, it was clear how important it was to be together. Some solace for a displaced but resolute community of resettled refugees and their predecessors, promoting peace and solidarity at an iconic American location.
If you’d like to support ongoing efforts in Ukraine, there are many organizations and ways to contribute. The Embrace Global organization sends portable low cost infant warmers to support newborns in global areas of strife including Ukraine; keeping the new sunflower babies safe and warm, so that future generations can thrive. https://www.embraceglobal.org/
