‘Dreams were shattered’: Voices from Ukraine gathering at STU

Alisa Los presented her short film, Memorabilia, at the Voices for Ukraine community gathering. (Credit: Peter Gross)

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, a small community group gathered at St. Thomas University for the first Ukrainian-focused event since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

The evening was filled with short documentary screenings by Ukrainian students with reflections and perspectives. It also included an informal discussion. 

The event was hosted by the International Student Office and the STU International Students’ Association.  

Feb. 24 marks the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. 

Alisa Los, a first-year student from Kherson, Ukraine, was one of the presenters.  

At age four, Los started pursuing her dream at the Jin Roh Circus School in Kherson. 

“I began my path as a circus artist, starting out with simple tricks and exercises.”  

When she was 10 years old, she performed in a festival in which her team earned a part in the “Dnipro Circus grand show.”

“The group number was soon incorporated into an entire theatre production, which had the pleasure of touring several Ukrainian cities,” said Los.

She mastered the trapeze and directed a number. She said she had “multiple flourishing performances” at 14, which got her closer to the professional stage of circus artistry. 

The Jin Roh Circus School granted her an opportunity to become a part of an international show.

For Los, the institution meant “much more than a circus school.”

“It was my second home,” she said. “My influential coaches and inspirational teammates have become a sort of family, which can never be recreated. A mix of solidarity and competitiveness, laughs and quarrels, worries and celebrations.”

Los’ dreams were “shattered" when the Russian invasion occupied Kherson, her hometown.

“After months of painful hesitation, the unpredictable danger had forced me to bid farewell to my precious family, beloved home and lifelong plans … my mom and I had to depart from everything that seemed to make us whole.”

She and her mother found “safety and assurance” in Canada. 

Los said she goes through her photos every month or two to reminisce about her memories. 

“I just want to see what I've gathered from my nostalgic personality, the past I once had.”

In the group discussion, participants thanked the students for contributing to multiculturalism in Canada. 

Saa Andrews Gbongbor, STU’s cultural diversity coordinator, highlighted the importance of having the Ukraine community gathering to provide a space for reflection, support and healing.

“I am here to create support to make the student feel that they're not alone ... nobody should be alone,” he said.

Immediately, when Los saw STU on her university searches, she was very impressed with the small, comfortable classes. 

“It's something that suits me the most …  I think it's great how closely you can talk to your professors, how many questions you can ask them,” she said. “This place is just very beautiful, very cozy and homely. I'm very glad to be here.”

Los’ documentary, Memorabilia, which touches on the theme of her nostalgia for Ukraine, will take part in this year’s STU short film festival on March 18 at the Ted Daigle Auditorium.