The war changed that, she said. “Many people around the world are beginning to admire the courage of the Ukrainians who stayed and fought. In a way, this changed people’s perception of them from outsiders coming to Europe to ‘one of us.’
Ms Samoylenko said she has always prided herself on being a Ukrainian “success story”, with her own gymnastics club and job as a trainer. She had She invited Ukrainian gymnasts to teach in Italy even before the war, but now interest has grown, she said, and overall views have changed.
“Now when you speak Ukrainian, people don’t necessarily think of a ‘caretaker’, but as a person protecting themselves with their own hands,” she said. “The image has changed.”
Maryna Shutyuk, 25, who was born in Ukraine but has lived in Italy for more than 10 years, feels a stronger desire to express her national pride. Now, she finds herself wearing an embroidered Ukrainian shirt at the family hotel, where she works as a receptionist. Before the war, she rarely did, usually for religious holidays she celebrated with other Ukrainians.
The shirts are “starting to become fashionable,” she said.
Ms. Shutyuk also joined the Ukrainian association in Verona founded by Sorina, who said Ukraine’s population growth has contributed to the creation of more and more community-focused cultural centres, services and events. there.
Perceptions of people outside the Ukrainian community are also changing, she said.
“In the past when you said you were Ukrainian, they would tell you, ‘My grandmother’s maid is also Ukrainian,’” Sorina said. “Now they look at you with respect.”
