Ukrainians in Rochester are celebrating their culture and heritage, amid the war.

“It's been more important than ever to be able to share Ukrainian culture and share the message of what's going on overseas,” festival chairman Andrew Hanushevsky said. “We love to share and educate. And, you know, we want to be remembered by no means want to be wiped off the face of the earth.”

Giving those an opportunity for not only food and festivities but also building support towards the Ukrainian community.

“There's all sorts of people you can sit down and ask anybody anything,” Hanushevsky said. “They'll be more than happy to share their stories with you from how they got here, to relatives and families in Ukraine.”

And hoping to share one of its treasures of Ukraine is Irene Grassmann. Immigrating to the United States from Ukraine at the age of six, she has been sharing what she says is a ‘dying art.’

“Every other culture has their own arts and crafts and they could do that,” vendor Irene Grassmann said.  “Well, we as the Ukrainian community need to show the need to show what type of people we are and we need to show our arts and crafts.”

Growing up in a Ukrainian community, Grassmann has always had a passion to learn about her heritage.

“This is what fascinated me and I became a perfectionist at this,” Grassmann said.

She learned how to adopt the art of beaded collars, a method used by the villagers of western Ukraine from the late 1800’s. Grassmann shares not only the art of Ukraine, but her gratitude for having the opportunity to be in the states.

“We have to pass it on, this can’t die out,” Grassmann said. “When I came back from Ukraine, I'm a little on the big side and it was a little hard. I went on the ground and I kissed the ground because we have it good here.”

As many Ukrainian guests were drawn to this festival, Grassmann hoped people of various nationalities who attended, all walk away with awareness of Ukrainian culture.

“This is the happiest of times,” Grassman said. “This country has taught us that no matter what, we care about each other as a Ukrainian community, no matter what our differences might be. I'm just glad that at this festival, we have the opportunity to show everybody that attends this is what we are, this is who we are.”