Paper Short Abstract:

Through a novel ethnographic case study of Ukrainian war migrants in Newfoundland, this paper will explore the role of “safe folklore”—carefully selected cultural expressions that foster internal unity and bridge external societal boundaries—in the “magical” process of coping with trauma and home-building in a non-representative diasporic setting.

Paper Abstract:

The island of Newfoundland, known for its distinct regional cultural identity within Canada, has welcomed over 3,500 Ukrainians displaced by war. This is an unprecedented influx of newcomers over a short period to an island that has not historically been a popular destination for migrants and, thus, is not a representative diasporic centre. In contrast to representative diasporic areas elsewhere in Canada, no pre-existing Ukrainian resources existed in Newfoundland upon the arrival of the displaced Ukrainians, and many Newfoundlanders took numerous hosting- and settling-related tasks upon themselves.

The arrival of Ukrainians markedly affects the social and cultural fabric of Newfoundland. A growing number of Ukrainian events—flavoured with the themes of traditional folklore and heritage—that would have been viewed as “foreign” in the very recent past, have lately become a part of the local scene. “It’s all because of our nerves!”—a newcomer activist once jokingly described the time-consuming community-oriented efforts of the displaced Ukrainians who can often barely make ends meet. The activist meant that many Ukrainians are so traumatized by the war that they feel a heightened need to do something, both at home and in public.

Through a novel ethnographic case study of recent Ukrainian war migrants in Newfoundland, this paper will explore the role of “safe folklore”—carefully selected cultural expressions that foster internal unity and help bridge external societal boundaries—in the "magical" process of coping with trauma and building a sense of home in a non-representative diasporic setting.