There is a special magic in a library: people come here for books, and sometimes they discover an entire world. That is exactly what happened at the Ramsey Free Public Library, located in Ramsey, Bergen County, New Jersey, where an ordinary afternoon space suddenly filled with Ukrainian colors, children’s curiosity, creativity, and conversations about a culture that knows how to feel close even far from home.
The second Ukrainian Cultural Family Event became a gathering not only for Ukrainian families. It was an open-door day to Ukraine — through a storybook, a workshop, conversation, and the warm presence of people who wanted not merely to tell others about their culture, but to let them feel it.
A special guest of the event was Liudmyla Morhun, a Ukrainian woman who has lived in America for many years, yet continues to preserve within herself that warm thread connecting her to the Ukrainian word and culture. She presented her first book, “Green Angel” — a kind and engaging story about a parrot, born not simply from imagination, but from real life.
The main character of this adventure is a real family pet — a parrot who one day became not only part of the family, but also the inspiration for a book. That is why the story felt so close to the children: it has a lively personality, funny moments, love for animals, and that special childlike curiosity that makes one want to keep listening.
The meeting with the author turned into a warm dialogue about books, creativity, and how sometimes the best stories live right beside us — in our homes, in everyday observations, in the small adventures of those we love.
Another bright part of the gathering was a creative workshop led by Iolanta Pavliuk, a young craftswoman who has been living in America for three years and comes from a family of artists. Perhaps that is why she so naturally knows how to speak to children in the language of creativity — simply, accessibly, and with warmth.
Under her attentive guidance, the children made greeting cards. It may seem like something simple — paper, colors, a few movements of the hands… But it is from such simple moments that children’s joy is born. Iolanta explained everything easily and clearly, helped each child, offered suggestions, and encouraged them — so that even the youngest participants could feel: they can do it.
And perhaps this was the special value of the workshop. The children were not simply making cards. They were learning to create with their own hands, to trust their imagination, and to see beauty in simple things. And beside them was someone who knew how to share that beauty.
The event was organized by the Blue and Yellow Foundation, a charitable organization that has for many years brought Ukrainians together around cultural, educational, and family events. Thanks to initiatives like this, the Ukrainian community not only preserves its own heritage, but also openly shares it with others — through books, creativity, language, traditions, and simple human connection.
Special thanks go to the Ramsey Free Public Library. This place has long been more than just a library; it has become a true cultural hub that supports the Ukrainian community, opens its space for events like this, and holds many Ukrainian-language books in its collection. Here, the Ukrainian word sounds natural — for those who speak it fluently, and for those who are only taking their first steps, trying to speak, remembering, learning, and returning to the language with their hearts.
Also represented at the event was the Ukrainian Educational Center, a children’s studio operating at St. Paul Church in Ramsey. It is another space where children can come into contact with the Ukrainian language, culture, and creativity not as an obligation, but as a living adventure, a game, and a joy.
And this warm atmosphere was completed by simple but meaningful details: sweets, conversations, children’s smiles, and temporary tattoos with Ukrainian symbols. Because sometimes it is from such small things that a great sense of community is born — when people come not only to an event, but to one another.
Photo: Foto Ramsay free public library
Author: Tamara Zayats