# VANCOUVER VYSHYVANKA DAY RALLY AT ART GALLERY

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/05/vancouver-vyshyvanka-day-rally-at-art-gallery/
- Published: 2026-05-22T15:54:50-07:00
- Author: Website

A large crowd of Ukrainians and friends and supporters gathered on the grand steps
and square before the [**Vancouver Art Gallery**](https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/)
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**](https://nweparchy.ca/2026/05/den-vishivanki-2026/),
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**](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iryna-mitnovych-6a32751a0_20-years-of-vyshyvanka-day-10-years-of-celebration-activity-7460048536915664896--b2X)
who gave a brief history of the holiday from its [inception by university students in Chernivtsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyshyvanka_Day),
Ukraine. The program included an enthusiastically received performance of several
songs by [**the Kolo Choir**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGuz1YSCFI).

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**](https://www.hyackfestival.com/multicultural-parade),
an exhibit at [Anvil Centre](https://anvilcentre.com/) and events hosted by the 
youth at [Holy Eucharist Cathedral](https://www.heucc.co/).

[all photos: Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn]

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