A large crowd of Ukrainians and friends and supporters gathered on the grand steps and square before the Vancouver Art Gallery to mark the annual Vyshyvanka Day that has been celebrating world famous Ukrainian embroidery and identity. Practically everyone on the square was dressed in a shirt, blouse or full costume richly decorated with one of countless versions of rich Ukrainian Embroidery.
This ages-old tradition of embroidery goes well beyond its obvious intricacy and beauty. Every region of Ukraine has its unique twist of embroidery, imbued with local flavours and expressions of history, spirit and faith. An expert of Ukrainian embroidery could tell you not only from what area it originated, but from what period in history and for what occasion was it made. Ukrainians treasure an embroidered shirt, towel, napkin or just a piece of cloth through their entire lifetime and pass it on as a family heirloom to children and grandchildren through generations. Yes, there is a good deal of sentimentality and nostalgia in holding on to an embroidered item from your baba (grandmother) or prababka (great-grandmother), but it is also deeply associated to your roots and identity. As local bishop Michael Kwiatkowski pointed out in his Vyshyvanka Day message, embroidery also has a profoundly religious dimension.
The gathering, in downtown Vancouver, coordinated by various Ukrainian organizations, included the rally at the Art Gallery, followed by a walk through the city streets to Stanley Park and concluded with a festive celebration in the park with music and good food provided by the local Kozak Ukrainian food network of the Greater Vancouver Area. Serving as cohosts were Ivan Palko and Sabrina Rani. Several speeches were made at the event that invariably included more personal witnesses from the heart of the one speaking about the significance of Ukrainian embroidery to them. One of the presenters was Iryna Mytnovych who gave a brief history of the holiday from its inception by university students in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. The program included an enthusiastically received performance of several songs by the Kolo Choir.
Bishop Michael was in attendance and was invited to say a few words and offer a prayer for Ukraine. Sisters Angelica and Janice of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate who serve in the Eparchy of New Westminster also participated in the rally as well as many faithful from around the lower mainland. Saturday will see several Vysyvanka Day events in New Westminster (see poster), including participation in the Hyack Festival Parade, an exhibit at Anvil Centre and events hosted by the youth at Holy Eucharist Cathedral.
[all photos: Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn]
