Sabrina Rani Furminger

💙💛 at @ucadvocacygroup gala for @invictusgamesteamukraine

Today, @PancouverMedia published the most personal piece of writing I’ve attempted in years. I’m grateful to one of my absolute favourite Vancouver journalists Charlie Smith (the longtime editor of the Georgia Straight and now the editor of Pancouver) for encouraging me to write about so-called “Ukraine fatigue,” my journey to find my footing in the activist space, and how Canadians can support displaced Ukrainians and Ukrainians in Ukraine during this devastating moment in our history. You can find a link to the article essay in my bio. Thank you for reading, for listening, and for caring. Thank you for supporting our community’s various fundraisers and events (including the upcoming YVR Screen Scene For Ukraine: Reel Conversations, Varta: The Price of Ukrainian Resistance, and @ucadvocacygroup ’s current GoFundMe to help grieving kids in Ukraine through our rehabilitation program for the children of fallen heroes; you can find links to everything in my bio). Thank you for holding space for Ukraine and Ukrainians.

There’s a lot that I love about being Ukrainian, and our fashion (both what we wear and how we wear it) is high up on the list. But I love vyshyvanka – the traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt – most of all. Vyshyvanka dates back more than 2000 years and is a powerful symbol of Ukrainian independence and national identity. It’s hard to describe how I feel when I wear vyshyvanka, but I’ll try: I feel connected to something that’s larger than myself. I feel connected to the story of Ukraine and all Ukrainians: our ancestors, our fellow Ukrainians, and all who will come after us. Vyshyvanka isn’t just some item of clothing: it holds our stories. Vyshyvanka embroidery is a thread that binds us together. This year marks the 20th anniversary of World Vyshyvanka Day. It’s a day when we honour the vyshyvanka, our Ukrainianness, and our stories. This year also marks 10 years since the first Vyshyvanka Day in Vancouver. I’m honoured to co-emcee (with @ivanpalka from @riyvancouver ) the VYSHYVANKA WALK 2026 on Thursday, May 21, at 6:30 PM at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It’s organised by @ua.rally and the @ukrainianculturesociety , and will feature a performance by @kolo_choir and remarks from community leaders. Following that, we will walk through the streets of Vancouver, shoulder to shoulder, in our vyshyvanka. I can’t think of a more satisfying and meaningful way to spend an evening. Please join us in celebrating vyshvyanka and all that it represents.

@neverlandteasalon

Cherry blossom tea with my favourite person @neverlandteasalon . 🩷 @cracker.jackz73

A message from our host & EP, @sabrinarmf : “Hi, film and TV industry friends. This week, I’ll be recording a special “state of the industry” episode of the @yvrscreenscene podcast. It feels like a shift is happening in our industry, and not necessarily for the better. How would you characterize your experience in the industry at this moment? How much are you auditioning compared to previous years? How much are you working compared to previous years? How has the quality of the job changed, if at all? How is this moment different from other similar moments of industry-wide transformation or disruption? What do you think is the cause? How are you adjusting – your lifestyle, your relationship to your craft, your plans for the future – based on the realities of this moment? Or is this all much ado about nothing? We’d love to include your thoughts in this upcoming episode of the pod. If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts with podcast listeners, please respond with your comment below or send your thoughts by email to [email protected]. Based on the volume we receive, your comments might be edited for clarity. Thank you for your consideration! S”

Furminger family fun at Tommy & Nat’s wedding. 🥰 Thank you @melanieneufeldmakeup for working your magic on us! Stunning necklace (silyanka) by @bohuslavska_mb in beautiful Lviv.

It’s #UkrainianRootsPodcast Day! Episode 11 is entitled “Please See Us.” Since 2024, @liliaratushna has spent part of every single weekend at high visibility locations around Vancouver, holding a sign about Ukraine, raising money for Ukrainian defenders @riyvancouver , and reminding Canadians that the war isn’t over and Ukraine is still fighting for its freedom. These weekly rallies are organized by @ua.rally , whose abiding mission is to draw attention to russia’s war in Ukraine. In short, the point of these weekly rallies is to be seen – and what better way to do that than to literally put yourself in front of people and command their attention with signs, facts, and conversation? In this moving and fascinating conversation with @sabrinarmf , Liliia reflects on life as a displaced Ukrainian in Canada, her relationship with the diaspora community, how her volunteerism impacts her grief, why it’s important to be seen, and why she sets aside time each week to stand outside and raise awareness about Ukraine. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, everywhere podcasts are enjoyed for free, or at the link in bio.

Perfect almost-summer day.

View from the new @yvrscreenscene / @ukrainianrootspodcast offices (clearly I haven’t moved in yet; there’s a distinct lack of Ukrainian flags, Star Wars toys, Jem dolls, and Wonder Woman art). Not too bad at all.

My fundraiser for tactical medical supplies for Ukrainian defenders continues! All of the details are at the link in my bio as well as on the @ukrainianrootspodcast page; tonight I’m happy to share this collage of the carefully curated ephemera in the prize draw (the draw is for anyone who donates $100 or higher). Every dollar raised will support the important work of @riyvancouver . I’m so impressed by the volunteers at RIY Vancouver, who work tirelessly to help defenders in Ukraine access life-saving equipment. Thanks to everyone who has supported this fundraiser thus far. xo

Coming soon to @ukrainianrootspodcast : @liliaratushna , who (via weekly rallies @ua.rally ) spends time every weekend bringing attention to Ukraine in high-traffic locations around Vancouver: rain or shine, 52 weeks a year. 🙌🏽