Theme for today: The Sunflower

The sunflower (Helianthus), called “sunyashnikiis” in Ukrainian, is the national flower of Ukraine. The bright yellow blooms are an integral part of its culture, heritage, and even its economy. Sunflowers were first imported from North America to Ukraine in the 1800s.

Throughout Ukraine’s history, the flower has been used as a symbol of peace. In June 1996, to celebrate Ukraine giving up nuclear weapons, U.S., Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers planted sunflowers in a ceremony at southern Ukraine’s Pervomaysk missile base.

My paternal grandparents were from the Ukraine. They lived in a little shtetl called Polonar near the ever changing border between Russia and Poland. They fled persecution in the early 1900’s and landed in the United States to settle and start a new life. I always wanted to visit the Ukraine though I seriously doubt their little village still exists.