As I look at this cherished collection of vyshyvka before me, my heart swells with gratitude. Today, on this third Thursday of May, I’m celebrating the beautiful Ukrainian embroidery traditions that have found their way into my life.
Each piece in this collection tells a unique story – the delicate floral patterns on pillows from Cherkasy, the Khrystos Voskres design on rushnyk from Western Ukraine, and the intricate wool patterns of Carpathian lizhnyky. I’m in awe of how different regions of Ukraine developed their distinctive embroidery styles, each with symbols and meanings passed down through generations.
When a lady from Vernon shared her grandmother’s Vyshyvanu collection that travelled with her family all the way from Cherkasy, I felt the weight of its history. When another family from interior BC carefully unwrapped their vyshyvka and were excited to find someone in the area who values Ukrainian history, I witnessed what true cultural preservation means and reaffirmed the profound connection between identity and art.
These aren’t just beautiful textiles – they’re vessels of memory, carriers of heritage that Ukrainian families brought to Canadian shores as their most precious possessions. Some of them were made in Canada by those who carried Ukrainian traditions across ocean. Through this small Ukrainian-Canadian collection, these threads connect us across time, oceans, and generations.
I promise to be a careful steward of these treasures, document their stories whenever possible, and share their beauty and significance with future generations. Each stitch, pattern, and colour speaks volumes about resilience, beauty, and the enduring Ukrainian spirit.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has trusted me with a piece of their family history. Your generosity allows these traditions to live on, to be appreciated, and to inspire new admirers of Ukrainian culture for years to come as I keep designing new lecture plans and sharing knowledge through Ukrainian-Canadian culture and language classes.
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