The halls of Sangeet Shyamala in Delhi buzzed 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 symbolizes resilience, unity, and identity for Ukrainians.
Ukrainian Ambassador Highlights Similarities to 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. Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk shared, "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." 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, vyshyvanka was believed to protect from evil, harm, and negative spirits. The colors 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 both referred to as vyshyvanka. Different regions of Ukraine have their own motifs, colors, 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 symbolizes cultural memory.
Lithuanian Ambassador Expresses Solidarity
Joined by friends from the diplomatic community, the exhibition was enjoyed by Ukrainians and Indians alike. Lithuanian ambassador Diana Mickevičienė said, "It is important for Ukrainians in Delhi, but equally important for the Indian audience, to learn about Ukrainian identity. 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."
Indian Director Draws Parallels to Chikankari
Director of Sangeet Shyamala, Vasundhara Tewari Broota, noted, "I was looking at the different kinds of colors 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."
