Latest news with #VyshyvankaDay
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A garment packed with symbolism' holds increasing significance
The symbolism behind a humble and colourful piece of clothing grows more poignant as Putin's deadly invasion of Ukraine continues. Central to the country's culture and history, vyshyvanka 'serves as a powerful reminder of Ukrainian identity,' said MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk as the spring sitting of Alberta's legislature wound down this month. The UCP's parliamentary secretary for settlement services and Ukrainian evacuees, Armstrong-Homeniuk represents Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville. The riding east of Edmonton is often associated with Ukraine culture and immigration. Each Vyshyvanka Day, held this year on May 15, Ukrainians and others of Ukrainian descent from around the world dress in 'a garment packed with symbolism,' she said. Patterns and colours vary by region of origin, and vyshyvanka designs are often passed down from generation to generation. 'This means each one has its own beauty, but they all share a common trait. They are a proud statement of community, unity and heritage.' In 1891 waves of immigration to Canada from Ukraine began. Statistics Canada put the number of Ukrainian Canadians in 2021 at about 1.3 million people or nearly four per cent of the population. Today about 400,000 people in Alberta alone are either from Ukraine or, like Armstrong-Homeniuk, have Ukrainian ancestry. In February 2022, Russia continued its history of aggression and expansionism against Ukraine with an all-out invasion. The war's death toll has likely passed one million people. Although Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO, the treaty organization 'condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine — which is an independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close NATO partner.' NATO and its allies are supporting Ukraine and 'helping to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence,' the organization says on its website. Armstrong-Homeniuk also spoke of a recent fire that destroyed parts of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, 50 km east of Edmonton. 'Those buildings contain irreplaceable artifacts that told the stories of generations of Ukrainian Canadians, but with us, the descendants, those stories remain,' said Armstrong-Homeniuk. 'As long as we gather to remember our heritage through celebrations like Vyshyvanka Day, our heritage cannot be destroyed. Not by wildfire, not by war.'
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Sudburians don the ‘spiritual armour of Ukrainian people'
The third Thursday of May is Vyshyvanka Day, not just in Ukraine but anywhere you find Ukrainians. Sudbury has a strong Ukrainian heritage and presence. The signs at the corner of Paris and Elm in Hnatyshyn Park called World Vyshyvanka Day's embroidered shirts 'the spiritual armour of Ukrainian people.' It isn't a holiday but an expression of cultural identity. It is relatively new but does predate the war in Ukraine. In 2006, students at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivitsi National University proposed dedicating one day each year to this effort. Now, I am told, people wear the decorated blouses to the office, in banks, at school and, in fact, everywhere. Rather than having it as a Saturday event, this demonstrates it is a part of everyday life. 'We have been doing this for many years to keep up the tradition,' said Taras Martyn, organizer of the event. He also lives at the Ukrainian Centre and is on the board of directors. 'Vyshyvanka is the visual icon of our people. It is international and now quite a statement of solidarity. You are wearing your country. I have a closet full of them.' Different regions of the country have unique colours and patterns. 'White linen was the background; now it is on any surface.' Myron Baryckyj may have a Ukrainian surname but grew up in Sudbury; he went to York University, worked in southern Ontario but returned to Sudbury some years ago. Interestingly, he is actually English and Dutch. 'I was adopted into a Ukrainian family,' Baryckyj explained. 'I have embraced the world that welcomed me. I learned the language, I was in the choir and my adoptive mother taught language school on Saturdays and Tuesday evenings. 'I think I know just about everyone in our community. I have my linen shirt and I think my mother may have put it together.' The cuffs, too, sport the decorative element. The turnout for the event grew after 4:30 p.m. and it became quite a party with attendees of all ages. 'It is now after work so people can come,' said Sandra Sharko, president of the Ukrainian Centre. 'We have a lot of newcomers. Many new families – over 200 - moved here in the first year and a half of the war. We are still collecting support for humanitarian aid.' A bench and signage was set up for photos. Some were posting to social media and even sending pictures back to their homeland. Naturally, coffee and cookies were offered. Check out the Ukrainian Seniors Sudbury FaceBook page for future events. Activities include the Blueberry Festival, the Garlic Festival and much more. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. Bluesky: @ X: @SudburyStar
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hundreds mark Vyshyvanka Day at the Forks
Winnipeg On May 11, the Forks turned a little Ukrainian, as hundreds marked Vyshyvanka Day with music, sweets and souvenirs. The celebration was highlighted by artists using chalk to create a Ukrainian vyshyvanka pattern on the sidewalk. 'It employs three classic colours — red, white, and black,' organizer Mila Shykota said. 'White is for wisdom, red is for love, and black is for sadness.' Held every May, Vyshyvanka Day celebrates the traditions of Ukrainian clothing. Some credit its origins to university student Lesya Voronyuk, who in 2006 encouraged her classmates to wear an embroidered shirt, or 'vyshyvanka'. In two decades, Vyshyvanka Day has spread to more than 70 countries. Photo by Tony Zerucha Hundreds celebrated Vyshyvanka Day at the Forks on May 11. The celebration was highlighted by artists using chalk to create a Ukrainian vyshyvanka pattern on the sidewalk. 'Vyshyvanka Day is a significant holiday for Ukrainians,' Shykota said. 'All Ukrainians and those who support Ukraine around the world wear embroidered shirts and host significant events.' Shykota thanked Winnipeggers and Manitobans for warmly embracing the many thousands of Ukrainians who have come to Manitoba. Winnipeg and Lviv are sister cities, and the region has a strong Ukrainian presence dating back generations. 'It is the Ukrainian capital of Canada,' Shykota said. 'It is only natural that Winnipeg is the first city in Canada with a Ukrainian Vyshyvanka Boulevard.' Shykota thanked the Forks for allowing her to host the event and the City of Winnipeg Public Works Department for organizing the venue. Freshco Pembina Highway provided treats for the kids. 'Much of the Ukrainian community gathered,' Shykota said. 'They sang Ukrainian songs, took pictures and talked. I'm excited and so glad that a lot of Ukrainians came together.' In August, Shykota, her husband and daughter will mark three years in Winnipeg. They both have good jobs, and their daughter is enrolled in French immersion. One year ago, they bought a house. They have permanent residency. This is their second time in Winnipeg. Shykota's husband studied at the University of Manitoba almost a decade ago, and she joined him here before they returned to Ukraine. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'We have a good life in Winnipeg,' she said. 'We were initially scared to start a new life in a different country and a different language.' Their parents remain in Ukraine, so the war is never far away. Shykota's daily calls to friends and relatives revolve around who has recently fled to a shelter. 'Every single day, Russia bombs and attacks Ukrainian cities,' she said. 'They say they only attack military targets, but it is not true. They attack hospitals, children's play yards, and civilian objects. 'Everyone in Ukraine is focused on helping the Armed Forces and civilians raise money. We're constantly donating to organizations.' Vyshyvanka Day celebrations also had a practical component, as Shykota and her team sold puzzle pieces for $5 each. Proceeds were used to buy a reconnaissance drone for a regiment fighting the Russians near Kharkiv. Donations can be e-transferred to Shykota at mila655@ Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Vyshyvanka Day festivities in streets of Charlottetown to celebrate Ukrainian culture
Social Sharing Celebrations will kick off in Charlottetown this weekend for Vyshyvanka Day, which highlights Ukrainian heritage and culture. Tetiana Rymska, a UPEI business student and activist, said this is a somewhat new holiday. "Vyshyvanka is absolutely important, and everybody thinks that this is some sort of very old celebration, but it's not," she told CBC's Island Morning. "It is quite a recent celebration in Ukrainian history, and actually the girl who invented the celebration is still alive, so it's that recent." The festival, which lands on the third day of May, was created in 2006 by Lesia Voroniuk after she and some classmates wore traditional embroidered shirts, or vyshyvanka. The festival soon caught on with many Ukrainians. Rymska said this year's celebration is about bringing awareness to the destruction of Ukraine's cultural sites in the ongoing conflict against Russia. "We want to bring awareness to all the territories of Ukraine that are still under Russian occupation... and also all the destroyed Ukranian landmarks and historic sites." Celebrations will start at noon on Sunday, May 18 in front of Charlottetown City Hall. Participants will then walk down Quen Street carrying a large Ukrainian flag. "You should definitely show up if you like fancy clothing, because people are going to be very dressed up," Rymska said. "Some of my favourite parts of this event is just to walk around and look at what kind of vyshyvankas people are wearing." 'We cannot be erased' Rymska said that Ukrainians are fighting for their existence, and that makes these celebrations more important. "This year our vyshyvankas are so important because this is part of our culture that we carry on with us, that we wear every single day... as a huge symbol that we cannot be erased." Rymska has several family members still living in Ukraine. She recently visited her home country to do volunteer work, a time that she's reminded of often, even after returning to P.E.I.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanian foreign minister wears embroidered shirt to mark Vyshyvanka Day
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has congratulated Ukraine on Vyshyvanka Day and shared a photo of himself wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt. [Vysvhyvanka Day is a holiday dedicated to preserving the iconic Ukrainian embroidered shirt, known as "vyshyvanka" – ed.] Source: Budrys on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Budrys stated that "in every stitch of Ukrainian vyshyvanka lies the nation's identity and pride that cannot be erased". "By wearing it today we stand for Ukraine, its freedom, its people and their peaceful future within both the EU and NATO," he wrote. Additionally, Budrys posted a photo of himself wearing a vyshyvanka. Background: Earlier, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos shared a video greeting in Ukrainian to mark Vyshyvanka Day. Last year, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also wore a vyshyvanka to celebrate Ukrainian culture on the occasion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
