Ukrainians who live in Texas say interest in their culture has grown since the Russian invasion, and similarities between them and native Texans have become more clear. The U.S. Census says 15,574 Ukrainian Americans live in Texas, including 5,223 in North Texas.
"What's really nice in Texas is people seem to be more open to learn, 'I'm Czech; I'm Polish; I'm Italian,'" says Dee Dee Allen, who works with the Ukrainian American Society of Texas. "Those are all Europeans, and everyone wants to learn about each other."
Liz Moroz Harper, the group's president, says the Ukrainian American Society of Texas hosts social events across the state. She says the group has also taught dance classes for years at events like the State Fair of Texas, San Antonio Folk Dance Festival and Westfest.
"One of the dances we love to open up with,we call it, 'The Texan'," Allen says. "'Orange Blossom Special' or 'Cotton Eyed Joe' is being played by a Ukrainian band."
"The dance steps are Ukrainian dance steps, but we put on cowboy hats, we wear our embroidered vyshyvanka, our shirts, the guys wear jeans," Moroz Harper says. "We celebrate both heritages. We blend the two."
The two say dances and other social events can show differences between Texans and Ukrainians while also helping both groups learn about each other.
"I think it's really great for our kids because they get to learn more about the different nationalities and the different heritages, and they're more open to people who are different but they can be friends and honor their differences," Allen says.
Moroz Harper says Ukrainians share other similarities with Americans, with people from different parts of Ukraine having different attitudes and customs but everyone identifying as one nation.
"We're also great freedom fighters," she says. "We don't forget we're Ukrainian by descent and yet, we've assimilated into American society, and we love being here in Texas, and we want to celebrate that. For example, our logo is the Ukrainian flag and the Texas flag. We love it; that's who we are."
People can learn more about the Ukrainian American Society of Texas and upcoming events at www.uast.org .
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