If you know me in real life, you may perceive that the descriptor here goes against the grain of my professional practice. From my academic perspective, I research, teach to, and embrace “neurocognitive diversity”, which I define as acknowledging “the infinite variation in human neurological development and the exponential potential for variations in learning and cognition” (Vanderberg, 2019). As a young teacher, I was awe-struck by the talent and culture of Ukraine and her people. Talent seems static, but I am going to argue here that it is an acquired and finely-tuned expression of culture. I do not see “talent” as fixed and congenital (as in, “You are talented”), but rather as an individual developmental process at the interface of the human cultural ratchet effect (Tomasello, 2009). We can practice and hone talent and this may be synergistic with our surrounding culture.
In the city of Oleksandria, Ukraine, in the Kropyvnytskyi Oblast (previously Kirovoghrad Oblast), I lived amidst the talent and culture of both typical and atypical Ukrainians. Here are a few every-day items that show how the regular “talent/culture” interface manifests. I remember answering questions to my Ukrainian friends, “Why are you wanting that (seemingly simple, everyday item as compared to an imported, fancier item)?” And, I can now clearly answer that: I am fascinated by the talented and culturally-rich expressions of Ukrainian people. Here are some of those expressions in every-day items.
Typical Ukrainian knitted square scarf, usually worn by a “babushka”. This one is fancier, made with a thinner yarn, and it is still extremely “regular”. Ukrainians fold them across the diagonal and wear them to cover their heads and then cover their torso under a winter coat. Something like this is extremely warm and has a fundamentally utilitarian purpose, but isn’t it also extremely delicate and beautiful? The airy spaces between the wool fibers trap warmth, equisitely. Found at the outdoor market in Oleksandria, knitted by a regular Babushka.
Regular Ukrainian cross-stitch of the Savior (“Spacitel”), made by my friend’s mother. I call him “Technicolor Jesus”. Women would embroider, and as they aged, they needed to make larger stitches in brighter colors to enhance visibility. My husband has taken Technicolor Jesus as his own. This Savior feels deep and real to him, and so my husbands always puts this Spacitel above his desk.
A little basket. These are made in all different sizes. They are used for all the sorts of purposes of transporting items, often for taking breads and foods and drinks to the church for blessings on holidays. I used this one to hold my student cards that I made, long before there were digital student information management systems. The baskets are beautiful, strong, sturdy. This little basket is over 20 years old.
Wooden spoons by the “Spoon Man”. He would walk the outdoor market holding two of his spoons and simply tap them together to make a clapping sound. Sometimes, he didn’t speak, he only walked and tapped. I befriended him because I was awe-struck that he made his own spoons. Here he is in his house holding an assortments of wooden spoons. He recounted for me how he goes to the woods to select the branches. Then, he harvests the wood. After he carves the spoons, he boils them in oil for multiple days. I brought these back for friends and family, and my mother fondly said, “The reason this is the best spoon I have ever used is because the spoon does the work, not your arm.” Here’s my spoon after 20 years. Honestly, I do not think I have ever oiled it.
A set of hand-made knives. Indeed, a man at the outdoor market made knives, by hand. I ordered these and he custom-crafted them. His signature is the spiral dots on the blade. When I ordered my set, I could choose between red or blue for the handles. I was so excited that I also purchased sets of these for family and friends. A friend (who only spoke Russian) in Oleksandria was asking me what I was taking back to my family for Christmas. I explained I was taking knives, but I was accenting the wrong syllable, so I was basically saying that I was taking “little legs” back to America for my family: “Little Ukrainian legs”. She was staring at me in horror. She asked me how I was taking the little legs to America. I explained that I would wrap them head to tail and in newspaper, then tape them tightly. Eventually, we discovered that I was trying to say “knives”. How understanding she was, and how terrified when she thought I was taking “Ukrainian legs” as gifts for my American family.
A broom, in the “typical” Ukrainian size. Ukrainian babushki use these brooms every day. They are made by hand. The grandmas go out every day and sweep the city and the parks. They sweep the city sidewalks with the smaller brooms made from these twigs. Here is a typical, local broom, also 20 years old and in perfect shape. We use it every day.
Oleksander Okhapkin’s paintings are not “typical”, but his muse may very well be considered regular. Okhapkin paints icons in a style that embodies the symbolism of Ukraine. His wife is his muse. She is a classic Ukrainian beauty. If you look closely at the paintings of Mother Mary by Okhapkin, you will see his wife’s deep eyes looking back at you, absorbing your pain, and wishing for peace for you.
My wedding dress was made by another Svetlana in Oleksandria. When I told her that I wanted her to make my wedding dress, she refused and said she was not capable of doing that sort of dress. I explained that I wanted a simpler dress, not a classic wedding dress. I bought some antique silk lace in the United States, I bought the cream silk in Cherkassy, and Svetlana made my wedding dress. She told me I needed to cover my back and shoulder blades because they are “not pretty”. I have a thin back, and she refused to make me any sort of dress that would show my shoulder blades. That is also very typical… my Ukrainian friends usually do not flatter and do not lie. So, here is the wedding dress that Svetlana and I designed and that she sewed. Svetlana was a nurse by day, and just sewed for fun in the evening to make some extra income.
