Vyshyvanka Day has no fixed date. So when is Vyshyvanka Day celebrated?
This day is celebrated every third Thursday in May. Today, Ukraine is known all over the world for a variety of different aspects and events. The embroidered shirt is one of the main elements of Ukrainian traditional clothing that has been worn since ancient times. Many people believe that Vyshyvanka Day is an old traditional holiday, or even a national holiday. But this is far from the case. Vyshyvanka Day is not an official holiday, and it is relatively new.
History of the Day of Embroidery
- The idea to launch the Vyshyvanka Day belongs to Lesia Voroniuk, a student of the History Department of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. She was inspired by the example of a fellow student who often wore an embroidered shirt. In 2006, she suggested that her classmates choose a day when they would all come to class wearing embroidered shirts. The first event brought together only a few dozen students, but over time, the initiative gained a nationwide scale and spread among the Ukrainian diaspora around the world.
- Lesia Voroniuk has repeatedly spoken about the founding of Vyshyvanka Day and its importance for Ukrainian culture. In an interview, she noted that the holiday originated as a flash mob aimed at popularizing Ukrainian embroidery and uniting Ukrainians around national values.
- She talks about how the holiday spread beyond Ukraine and became popular among Ukrainians in the diaspora. Vyshyvanka unites Ukrainians in different countries, allowing them to feel connected to their homeland. Vyshyvanka is more than just a garment. It is a symbol of the genetic code of the Ukrainian nation, culture, struggle and unity. Lesia Voroniuk often emphasizes the importance of popularizing embroidery among young people. She talks about events, flash mobs, and cultural activities that help draw attention to Ukrainian traditions.
The first mention of embroidered shirts
The first mention of linen shirts with ornaments was recorded by Herodotus in his work History, where he described the lifestyle of the tribes living in the territory of modern Ukraine, namely the Scythians. Herodotus describes Scythian clothing as comfortable and practical, although he does not mention embroidery directly. He focuses on materials such as wool, leather, and linen, as well as their custom of decorating their clothes. There is no direct archaeological or written evidence that the Scythians wore embroidered shirts, no. However, we can assume that their clothes had decorative elements similar to embroidery, based on the following facts:
- Images and archaeological finds:
- Scythian figures on various artifacts, such as gold pectorals and jewelry, are often depicted wearing clothes with geometric or floral ornaments. This may indicate the decorative nature of their clothing.
- Archaeological excavations have revealed textiles with ornaments that could have been embroidered or created using other decorative techniques.
- Practicality and Art.:
- The Scythians used clothing adapted to their nomadic lifestyle, so their shirts, tunics, or cloaks were probably decorated not only for beauty but also to reflect their social status or tribal affiliation.
- Herodotus and the ancient authors:
- In his History, Herodotus describes Scythian clothing as comfortable and practical, but does not mention embroidery. He focuses on materials such as wool, leather, and linen, as well as their custom of decorating everyday objects.
A very famous and popular find in the village of Martynivka in the Cherkasy region is the eponymous “Martynivskyi Skarb,” which confirms the hypotheses of many historians. In the photo you can see the characteristic geometric ornaments of Ukrainian traditional clothing.
