Each year, on the third Thursday of May, Ukrainians worldwide wear their heritage proudly as they celebrate Vyshyvanka Day. More than just an embroidered shirt, the vyshyvanka embodies the heart of Ukrainian culture – a living canvas of history, artistry, and ancestral memory. Similarly to last year’s Vyshyvanka Day, VATAHA brought this tradition to life in 2024, too, for everyone to immerse themselves in Ukraine’s rich cultural tapestry, learn embroidery techniques, and even craft a personal piece to take home.
This year’s theme, Home, resonated throughout the event, emphasising the vyshyvanka as a symbol of comfort, connection, and belonging. It is often an overarching topic that pierces VATAHA’s diverse projects, such as the magazine Ти де? | Waar ben je? and aHOUSEforHOME architecture workshop, taking place throughout the year. In the heart of Den Haag, VATAHA transformed a corner of the Dedel Museum into a welcoming space where everyone, Ukrainian or not, could feel the warmth of shared traditions and stories stitched into every thread.
What is Vyshyvanka?
To kick off the evening of workshops, VATAHA’s co-founder, Uliana Bun, shared an inspiring introduction to the vyshyvanka, its deep-rooted history, and its significance within Ukrainian culture. Traditionally embroidered with region-specific patterns, these linen shirts vary in style and symbolism across Ukraine’s diverse landscapes, with each village often offering its own pattern. Far from being mere decoration, the vyshyvanka is a powerful tool of self-expression believed to hold special meanings, with colours that symbolise emotions: red for love, yellow for happiness, and black for strength.
Following Bun’s talk, Ukrainian artist Olha Andrushchenko spoke about the art of creating a personal vyshyvanka, focusing on embroidery techniques and the multitude of stitching styles. Adding a unique touch to the talk on techniques, artist and VATAHA’s workshop curator Tetiana Ruminets introduced a traditional woodblock printing method – bump. This approach brings Ukrainian designs to life through carved wooden blocks and paint, decorating not only clothes but also household items, showcasing how tradition and creativity infuse various aspects of Ukrainian culture.
From theory to practice
After the opening talks, Tetiana and Olha invited guests to roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on workshops, where they could try to create their own embroidered clothing and bump designs. Encouraging participants to bring clothes they wanted to transform, the workshops gave everyone a chance to infuse personal garments with Ukrainian symbols and patterns – a beautiful blend of tradition and individuality.
Adding to the event’s creative spirit, Ukrainian designer Yasia Khomenko introduced her upcycling project, Samoprint. Designed as an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, Samoprint offers a playful array of stickers inspired by Ukrainian symbols, allowing people to refresh their wardrobes with unique, meaningful designs. These stickers turned upcycling into a personal, interactive experience that encouraged sustainability and self-expression.
One more inspiring project unfolded during the celebration. Dutch cultural worker Mieke Klavers and Swiss artist Kathrin Stalder presented their community art project, also called Home, which explored the theme of belonging. Launched by Stalder during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Home invites participants to embroider a textile piece that reflects their personal interpretation of home, with each piece eventually forming part of a large fabric house. During Vyshyvanka Day, attendees stitched their own contributions, adding to this evolving installation that embodies the warmth and connection of shared spaces – an idea deeply rooted in Ukrainian embroidery traditions.
Kids, too, had their own creative spaces! Led by VATAHA’s graphic designer Maria Petrochko and Uliana Bun, children could make darmovisy (traditional Ukrainian jewellery or hanging pendants), paint on wooden panels with Ukrainian embroidery motifs, and decorate cookies, immersing themselves in crafts that allowed them to explore cultural heritage in a fun, interactive way.
Throughout the event, participants explored the “United by Embroidery” exhibition, capturing memories at the photo corner with traditional Ukrainian attire. Between workshops, guests enjoyed cakes and Carpathian tea, filling the atmosphere with warmth and community in celebration of Ukrainian heritage.
Celebrating culture and connection
As Vyshyvanka Day at Dedel Museum came to an end, the event left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. This celebration was more than an introduction to Ukrainian embroidery; it fostered connections across cultures, inspiring a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s rich heritage.
Through hands-on workshops, storytelling, and shared experiences, VATAHA created a welcoming space that celebrated unity, resilience, and cultural pride. For all participants, the day offered a meaningful way to connect with Ukrainian traditions and the importance of keeping them alive.
The event is organised by the VATAHA Foundation and Mieke Klaver with the support of Design Museum Dedel, SKVR, and Ukrainian House Rotterdam.