From Lithuania to the UK: Navigating My Cultural Identity in the Workplace

Welcome to the ‘My Cultural Identity’ series for Global Inclusion Week 2024, where we will hear directly from an individual from either the Inclusive Employers team or from one of our Member organisations about their cultural identity.

This series is an opportunity to learn about cultures outside of your own, with a lens of intersectionality and how an individual’s cultural identity from their upbringings, history, traditions and unique, personal experiences can influence their professional lives, too.

To kick start the series, we hear from Inclusive Employers’ Digital Marketing Manager, Koletta Jurskyte (she/her).

Looking at my Lithuanian history and traditions

At the age of 16, I moved to the UK from Lithuania where I was born in 1992, a year after Lithuania reclaimed independence from the Soviet Union. Growing up in this pivotal period of its history, I observed the complexities of a nation grappling with the remnants of its past. Despite the strong desire for independence, remnants of Soviet influence remained and shaped our societal landscape.

The journey towards sovereignty was marked by significant milestones, including Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and NATO during my lifetime. But the transition from Soviet rule brought many challenges, particularly around societal inclusion. Regrettably, sexism, racism, homophobia, and other prejudices continue to persist.

Lithuania does have a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, two of which I hold dear. The first is the unique way we celebrate Christmas, with the focal point being on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day. We cherish this occasion by coming together to share a meticulously prepared feast featuring twelve dishes, that are exclusively fish and vegetarian dishes.

The second is the festival of Užgavėnės, a symbolic ode to the end of winter. Held annually, seven weeks before Easter, this festival is marked with masked carnivals, playful revelry, and age-old customs. Užgavėnės’ hallmark ritual is the mock battle between Kanapinis and Lašininis, which symbolises the clash between winter and spring. There is also the ceremonial burning of Morė, personifying the spirit of winter, which represents the collective mission to banish the cold season.

As a child, I fondly remember taking part in the tradition of pancake begging during Užgavėnės, reminiscent of trick-or-treating at Halloween. These cultural practices encapsulate the essence of Lithuanian heritage and serve as poignant reminders of our resilience and spirit of communal celebration.

Bringing my cultural identity to work

Initially, I didn’t think that my cultural identity influenced my professional behaviour. However, on reflection, I realise it’s deeply ingrained. Lithuanians are known for their strong work ethic and loyalty, traits I embody in my professional endeavours.

These traits, my cultural identity, have undoubtedly been an asset; motivating me to pursue higher education, and driving my ambition and determination in the workplace, too.

I’ve also had to unlearn certain behaviours ingrained from my upbringing, too. For example, the tendency to be direct or short, which can clash with British workplace culture.

Adapting to cultural differences hasn’t been without challenges. Learning to navigate the subtleties of politeness and communication styles, particularly in a British context, required conscious effort. While I’ve made progress, certain habits, like remembering to say “please,” still elude me sometimes, a humorous reminder of my cultural journey.

Overcoming these differences has been a learning curve, requiring adaptability and openness to cultural nuances. I’ve had to navigate a path between honouring my heritage and integrating into a more inclusive work environment.

I also had to do a lot of work to do in my professional and personal life in terms of inclusion. As mentioned before, the country was not the most inclusive, so I had to make conscious effort to educate myself about homophobia, racism, and religious inclusion. Many of these beliefs had been taught to me and I had to work very hard to unlearn them.