Interview 2 - Arianna Cernoguzova

Name: Sofiya Tsybenko

Year: 2005

Country: Ukranian 

1. Did you have any family or cultural traditions growing up

Yes, we would celebrate Christmas on the 7th of December instead of the 25th as we celebrated it according to the Orthodox calendar. We would also travel from Bandon to Cork to attend an Orthodox church for Christmas. I can't really think of any other family traditions other than this. 

2. Was there an activity or object in your childhood that you would associate specifically with your culture growing up?

I liked collecting dolls when I was younger, like Monster High dolls and Barbies. I can't really think of anything that would specifically remind me of Ukraine because even though I was born there grew up0 in Ireland. 

3. Did you have a favourite dish from your culture growing up?

I loved peljemenji which are slavic dumplings or vareniki which are also like dumplings but the filling is made of jam and berries.

4. Was there any media (such as cartoons or movies) from your country that had an impact on your childhood?

I would mostly watch Disney channel or Cartoon Network in Russian/Ukrainian as a kid. On rare occasions my mom would put on Russian cartoons and films.   

5. What kind of things were popular during your childhood? (Pop culture, hobbies, etc.)

I was obsessed with girly and pink stuff likes Monster High and Barbie. I remember having one of those Barbie flip phones which were kind of iconic back then. The wii was also popular, I had a red one which I would play on with my friends whenever they came over.

6.Were there any popular activities you would partake in with friends that you associate specifically with your culture?

I played tip the can, climbed ditches with my friends near my house, and made "potions" as well as played hide and seek. I kinda relied on what my friends were playing, I mostly had Irish friends so I didn't have any games specific to my culture. 

7.Can you retell a memorable experience you had as a child which you associate with your culture?

I used to go to Russian schools on Sundays in Ireland, and we would do school plays for the younger kids. I used to love them because we got to wear extravagant costumes and rehearse lines.