The halls of Sangeet Shyamala were buzzing with Ukrainians and Indians dressed in embroidered vyshyvankas as the community gathered to celebrate 20 years of World Vyshyvanka Day. Celebrated on the third Thursday of May, the day symbolises resilience, unity and identity for Ukrainians.
Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk and Lithuanian ambassador Diana Mickevičienė
‘It is very much like the Indian kurta’ Hosted by the embassy of Ukraine in Delhi, the exhibition featured portraits from the 1900s depicting ancient vyshyvanka traditions in celebrations and everyday life, alongside ancestral shirts dating back over a century. “World Vyshyvanka Day was started as a students’ initiative where they started wearing vyshyvanka, the Ukrainian embroidery. It is a way of showing people that we have our distinctive clothes,” shared Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk. He further added, “It is very much like the Indian kurta, which is another link between Ukraine and India. It depicts the beautiful flowers in the spring. While it is a symbol for Ukraine’s unity, it is also a symbol to stand with Ukrainians. Unfortunately, these days we also have to defend our identity and vyshyvanka is a part of it.”What is vyshyvanka? A traditional Ukrainian embroidery, it was believed to protect from evil, harm and negative spirits. The colours range from basic white, red and black to yellow, green and blue. The embroidery is usually seen on shirts and dresses. The embroidered garment and the embroidery are referred to as vyshyvanka. Different regions of Ukraine have their own motifs, colours, and stitching styles. Some patterns are believed to represent protection, strength, fertility, love, or connection to ancestry.
The exhibition displayed beaded necklaces called gerdan, a symbol of Ukrainian identity, and the handmade motanka doll, which symbolises cultural memory
Hope that soon enough we can travel to all the regions of Ukraine: Lithuanian ambassador Joined by friends from the diplomatic community, the exhibition was enjoyed by Ukrainians and Indians alike. “It is important for Ukrainians in Delhi, but equally important for the Indian audience, to learn about Ukrainian identity,” said Lithuanian ambassador Diana Mickevičienė, adding, “We Lithuanians also keep learning about Ukrainians every day. I’m wearing a vyshyvanka very proudly. While it is a symbol of unity for Ukrainians, it is also a symbol of unity with Ukrainians. We admire your resilience, we are with you, and vyshyvanka is also a way of expressing that. The one I’m wearing is from Lithuania, so it might be a Lithuanian version.”
(L-R) Vasundhara Tewari Broota, Ukrainian ambassador’s wife Katryna Bila, Slovenian ambassador Tomaž Mencin
‘It reminded me of our chikankari’ Director of Sangeet Shyamala, Vasundhara Tewari Broota, noted, “I was looking at the different kinds of colours being used, and I saw the ambassador’s wife dressed in all white. It reminded me of our chikankari. I thought, all human beings are so connected. We create so many distances, but in the hearts of people, there is such an undeniable link.”
