Photo by HEATHER AINSWORTH Oxana Panol came to the United States from Russia eight years ago.

Holding on to traditions
Oxana Panol, 29, Russia

By KRISTA KARCH
Observer-Dispatch

Oxana Panol, 29, came to the United States from Russia eight years ago. She and her husband, who is Polish, hope to have children one day, whose lives they will fill with the cultures of their parents.

“I would like to try to offer as much of my culture to my kids as possible,” she says. “Until then, I read Russian newspapers when I can get them. With my children, we will travel to New York City, a very culturally picturesque place.”

Panol says it is not only important to keep her own culture, but also to be understanding of other cultures. She hopes to pass this on to her own children someday. Panol is also intent on keeping bits of Russian culture in her everyday life.

“I go to the Russian store in Utica,” she said. “I cook Russian food. I have a friend who has Russian television, so I go there and watch it.”

But the pockets of Russians that can be found in Utica, though helpful, don’t make up for the traditions Panol and her husband left behind.

“We will of course visit both Russia and Poland,” she says.