An embroidered shirt has always been an important part of the attire of any Ukrainian: it was worn both everyday and on holidays, it was worn for the first time to greet the world and for the last time. The vyshyvanka was a sign of the people, a part of culture and self-awareness.
However, there was a significant period in our history when embroidered shirts were hidden in chests, when wearing them in public could lead to persecution. There was a time when the national dress was contemptuously called “sharovarschina.”
However, after gaining independence, when a symbol was needed that would unite the country, embroidery got a chance for a "second birth", having embroidery in your wardrobe again became prestigious.
The embroidered shirt has become a part of the wardrobe of both businessmen and students, and even got its own holiday, celebrated on the third Thursday of May.
And we owe them to... students. For the first time, the idea of honoring the embroidered shirt was proposed in 2006 by Lesya Voronyuk, a student of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi University, who was inspired by the embroidery of Ihor Zhytaryuk, who often came to couples in an embroidered shirt, like some other university students. The girl suggested that her classmates and other students choose one day and all come together in embroidered outfits.
At first, there were about a dozen “vyshyvanka fans,” but every year their number grew and now the holiday has reached not only the level of the All-Ukrainian (in 2010, embroidered shirts filled the streets of Lviv, Rivne, Zaporizhia, and Simferopol), but is also gradually reaching the international level: the holiday is joined by Ukrainian diasporas and simply fans of Ukrainian vyshyvanka, who happily post photos and videos in Ukrainian embroidered outfits.
- Since 2008, many cities in Ukraine have been hosting Vyshyvanka Parades, which anyone can join in. Every year, thousands of people walk the main streets of cities and demonstrate the beauty and variety of folk shirts (and not only Ukrainian ones).
- In addition to the Vyshyvanka Parades, flash mobs, photo shoots, folk arts master classes (embroidery, weaving), etc. are organized on the day of the holiday.
- In 2011, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the holiday, a record was set for the number of people wearing embroidered clothes in one city - over 4,000 people in embroidered clothes gathered on the Central Square of Chernivtsi (this was included in the Guinness Book of Records).
- Also in the same year, an embroidery (4x10 meters) was sewn for the central building of Chernivtsi University.
- In 2012, Chernivtsi began the tradition of giving embroidered shirts to babies born on this day. Now, every year, the holiday begins with embroidered gifts for the youngest Chernivtsi residents.
- In 2013, the Day of Embroidery took place, during which a charity fair was held (the funds went to sick children) and a photo exhibition “Ornaments That Glow” by Oleksandr Tkachuk.
- In 2014, embroidered shirts could be found in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, and Russia.
- This same year, a competition was announced for the best family photo in embroidered shirts and a performance of the national anthem in embroidered shirts was held, which was attended by students from all over Ukraine.
- In 2015, the Vyshyvanka holiday was held under the slogan of unity of the people and generations.
- Also this year, the campaign “Give an embroidered shirt to a defender” was launched, which aimed to raise the fighting spirit and morale of soldiers. Embroidered shirts were given to the front line as a reminder of home and protection.
- In 2016, the monument to the Founders of Kyiv and Lybid were covered in embroidery, the photo exhibition "Berehyna" by Daryna Zarayska was presented, the heroines of which were volunteers, and the first full-length film about embroidered shirts "Heritage of the Nation" was shown.
- In 2018, an ethno show was held at the Mystetsky Arsenal, the models of which were women and girls who defend the country in the East.
- In 2019, the holiday will be held under the slogan "Vyshyvanka - Clothing of the Free." The organizers of the event plan to draw attention to another event, which falls on the third Sunday of May - the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression (and not only of the Soviet era, but also of modern Ukraine - prisoners held in captivity in the Russian Federation).
- Also this year, the organizing committee of the "World Embroidery Day" is holding the campaign "Embroidery Day - Solidarity Day with Ukraine", within the framework of which they call on people to wear embroidery of famous and influential foreigners as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
- Now the geography of the holiday covers more than 50 countries.
Vyshyvanka Day is not only an occasion to show off the beauty of your embroidered uniform, but also an opportunity to say with all your heart: “I am Ukrainian – this is my history and culture, and I am proud of it.” After all, becoming a participant in Vyshyvanka Day is extremely simple: you just need to wear an embroidered item or an outfit with national prints, and you are part of your country’s history, part of its culture and identity.
We are sure that this day you will radiate joy and good mood (even if it rains from the sky :))
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