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Aliya: I don't speak Russian very well. My mother is going to read my letter.
Libby: Dear Russia,
My name is Aliya Griffin and I am writing to you on behalf of myself and my little theatre
company, The Troika Collective. A company, whose name and work is rooted in Slavic culture.
I have always loved your country and your culture. I grew up with Mishka and Pushkin's
fairytales, and later with Tolstoi and Bulgakov, and I am even trying to learn your beautiful,
but difficult language. When I think of culture, I think of your theatre,
your ballet, your literature, your philosophers, your musicians.
My home is filled with symbols of your culture, matrioshkas, embroidered towels, floral shawls.
I also am good at making vareniky and borsht. As a Ukrainian-Canadian, I have also always
felt a bond with Russia, and our shared Slavic soul.
I have longed my whole life to see your country and I went there this last year. Along with
all the things that I had expected to love, Red Square, The Kremlin, and Peterhof, I was
surprised by many things. I would ride your metros for hours, in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Pretending not to be a tourist, watching people. I found that the Russian people are a straightforward
people. I met people of incredible warmth and people with little patience for a tourist
such as myself. But whatever their approach, I knew where I stood with them. I came home
thrilled with my experience and wanting more. However, now I am reluctant to return.
My heart is broken that Russia has passed these anti-homosexual laws. I am even more
saddened to know that these laws enjoy popular support, a sentiment that is shared in Ukraine.
I hope that a country that can produce such artistic testaments to love as Swan Lake and
Anna Karenina, will come to realize that love is love.
And for the people who are currently suffering unjustly under Russia's laws, I want to
say we are with you. Aliya:
Love always wins. Yours,
Aliya