Podcast Summary
Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Episode: The Story of Veselka in New Documentary
Aired: April 19, 2024
Host: David Furst (guest host)
Guests:
- Michael Fiore (Director, "Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World")
- Tom Birchard (Veselka Owner)
- Jason Birchard (Tom’s son, Veselka co-owner)
Episode Overview
This episode explores the history, cultural significance, and resilience of Veselka—a beloved Ukrainian restaurant in New York's East Village—through the lens of a new documentary "Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World." The conversation highlights Veselka's multigenerational legacy, its connection to Ukrainian heritage, especially amid the war in Ukraine, and its role as a community hub for decades. Listeners and regulars of Veselka also call in to share their personal stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Genesis of the Documentary
- Michael Fiore describes his inspiration and early intentions for the film:
- Initially, the film was to be a multi-generational, father-son story about Tom and Jason Birchard, as well as Veselka's planned renovations and transitions in management.
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 radically shifted the documentary’s scope, drawing powerful parallels between Ukrainian displacement after WWII and the current crisis.
- The film portrays not just the restaurant’s family story but also its evolving role as a rallying point amid humanitarian need (03:01–04:36).
- Quote:
"Because your father-in-law and grandfather started the establishment in 1954 as a result of wanting to give displaced Ukrainians after World War II a place... the parallels were too strong to deny them." – Michael Fiore (03:36)
2. Veselka’s Community Response to War
- Jason Birchard details how Veselka and its patrons mobilized to aid Ukraine:
- Established partnerships with local nonprofits, such as Razom for Ukraine, to channel donations and support humanitarian relief.
- Proceeds from Veselka’s signature borscht are directed towards these efforts—a campaign they coined “borscht diplomacy.”
- Veselka serves as a symbol and practical center for solidarity and community action.
- The ongoing challenge: sustaining attention and support as the war drags on (05:08–06:49).
- Quote:
"I decided that shortly after the conflict started, that one of our signature dishes, borscht, all the sales of our borscht would go to humanitarian relief efforts. We call it borscht diplomacy." – Jason Birchard (05:30)
3. Listener Memories & Veselka as a Cultural Hub
- Multiple callers reminisce about Veselka’s role in their lives:
- Laurie: Fond memories from college days, describing Veselka as a place "everybody in the community hung out, funky people, well known people" (07:06).
- Risa: Described the area in the 1980s as a lively Eastern European community hub, with Veselka making affordable, hearty meals accessible and memorable for young professionals (11:03–12:18).
- Reggie: A musician who highlighted Veselka’s importance as a reliable, late-night spot for artists returning from gigs (13:00).
- These stories underscore Veselka’s status as a welcoming, diverse cornerstone of East Village culture.
4. Family and Founding History
- Tom Birchard recounts how Veselka began:
- Opened in 1954 by his in-laws, Volodymyr and Ola, Ukrainian immigrants from displaced persons camps.
- Started as a newsstand/candy store; evolved into a Ukrainian diner as the surrounding community grew.
- Tom’s own entry: Met his future wife at college, was drawn into the family business and, after his father-in-law’s passing, took over and grew the restaurant (08:40–10:57).
- Also touches on his wife Sally’s pioneering veterinary clinic, another example of the family’s community focus (12:18–12:56).
- Quote:
"My in-laws immigrated from a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1950... In their first years, they were professional people from Ukraine. But when they came here, they had to do very menial work." – Tom Birchard (09:05)
5. Legacy and Resilience through Crises
- Veselka has survived major city crises (9/11, Superstorm Sandy, COVID-19) due to community support and the family’s work ethic.
- Jason and Tom emphasize the importance of perseverance and service, rooted in their Ukrainian heritage (07:46).
- Quote:
"That's part of our Ukrainian heritage. We're very strong, resilient, perseverant people... we're just happy to celebrate our 70th anniversary this year." – Jason Birchard (08:23)
- Quote:
6. Veselka’s Post-Pandemic Plans
- Jason hints at a return to late-night hours, restoring an essential tradition for the diner’s night-owl patrons and musicians.
- Community reconnection post-pandemic remains a priority (13:44–14:23).
7. Documentary’s Broader Message
- Michael Fiore clarifies the film’s intention:
- It is not a "war film," but “an antidote to war”—focusing on love, compassion, and community agency.
- He hopes the story inspires viewers to see themselves as agents of change, especially as political debates around support for Ukraine persist.
- Notable scene: A visit from Mayor Adams demonstrates that real leadership and support come from within the community (14:33–15:56).
- Quote:
"This isn't a war movie. This is an antidote to war story... I hope the movie plants that seed in everyone's head." – Michael Fiore (14:34, 15:52)
8. Final Reflections
- Tom Birchard speaks movingly about the personal toll of war and the importance of community compassion:
- Veselka’s story intertwines with the immigrant struggle, ongoing humanitarian crises, and the everyday effort to support those affected (16:02).
- Quote:
"It's just heartbreaking... we're just doing everything we can to support them and try to make people aware of the human impact of this horrible war." – Tom Birchard (16:17)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Because your father-in-law and grandfather started the establishment in 1954 as a result of wanting to give displaced Ukrainians after World War II a place... the parallels were too strong to deny them.” – Michael Fiore (03:36)
- “We call it borscht diplomacy.” – Jason Birchard (05:30)
- “Everybody in the community hung out, funky people, well known people, and... it was a good, good part right after college of my life.” – Laurie, caller (07:23)
- “My in-laws... had to do very menial work... they certainly had aspirations of bettering their life.” – Tom Birchard (09:05)
- “That's part of our Ukrainian heritage. We're very strong, resilient, perseverant people... we're just happy to celebrate our 70th anniversary.” – Jason Birchard (08:23)
- “This isn't a war movie. This is an antidote to war story... that invites people to show a little extra compassion, to look to themselves as the source of change.” – Michael Fiore (14:34–15:52)
- “It's just heartbreaking... we're just doing everything we can to support them and try to make people aware of the human impact of this horrible war.” – Tom Birchard (16:17)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Impetus for the Documentary: 03:01–04:36
- Veselka’s Response to Ukraine Crisis: 05:08–06:49
- Caller: Laurie Remembers Veselka Post-College: 07:06–07:46
- History & Founding (Tom Birchard): 08:40–10:57
- Caller: Risa, the 1980s East Village Scene: 11:03–12:18
- Caller: Reggie, Musician’s Perspective: 13:00–13:39
- Return to Late Night Hours Discussion: 13:44–14:23
- Director’s Hopes for the Film: 14:33–15:56
- Final Thoughts and Emotional Reflections: 16:00–16:41
Conclusion
The episode offers a layered portrait of Veselka as more than a restaurant—it is a site of memory, resilience, and community action, adapting to new crises while honoring a rich immigrant legacy. Through the film and ongoing support work, Veselka stands as a beacon for unity and compassion, inspiring both its patrons and the wider public to look inward and contribute outward.
For more on the documentary and Veselka’s initiatives, visit the restaurant or check local showtimes for "Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World."