Ukraine Embassy celebrates Vyshyvanka day
Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday May 20, 2025 13:36


Celebrated annually in the third week of May, vyshyvanka was first celebrated in 2006 and it has since evolved into a global celebration of Ukrainian cultural heritage. The day encourages Ukrainians to don the vyshyvanka symbolizing national identity and unity.
In his address, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Botswana, Olesksiy Syvak stated that vyshyvanka day presents time and opportunity for their citizens to take pride in their culture and roots. Syvak explained that the vyshyvanka (traditionally embroidered shirt) is more than a shirt, it defines them.
“As the Ambassador of Ukraine, I am proud to share with you one of the most cherished elements of our heritage- the vyshyvanka, our traditional embroidered shirt. It's not just clothing. It is a symbol of who we are, where we come from and what we stand for,” Syvak proudly said.
Syvak elaborated that each stitch or embroidery in the shirt has a deep meaning embedded in it, which tells the story of every Ukrainian out there. He highlighted that every pattern carries its own message, it wasn't put in the shirt by any mistake.
“In Ukraine, embroidery tells a story, a personal, regional, and national one. For generations the vyshyvanka has carried with it meanings, beliefs, and emotions. The patterns and colours are never random,” he said.
Syvak added, “They reflect our geography, our history and the lives of the people who came before us,” he said.
Furthermore, the ambassador stated that Ukrainians hold the perspective that the shirts are more than just shirts as they believe that they are their guards and protect them from mishaps.
“Ukrainians believe that the vyshyvanka protected them from illness, misfortune and evil,” he said.
The ambassador further explained that the vyshyvanka day presents them with an opportunity to remember their heroes and more importantly soldiers who are at war against Russia.
“It has always been worn by people who stood for freedom from cossacks to writers, from dissidents to soldiers. And today as Ukraine defends its sovereignty people and our soldiers wear vyshyvanka too, but not always on the battlefield but on their way to it,” he said.
Though Syvak revealed that their shirts are commonly worn by people who are fighters, he stated that ordinary citizens can wear them too when they celebrate during holidays, wedding ceremonies and other meaningful moments.
He highlighted that days such as vyshyvanka are a beacon of hope that culture should be preserved in modern lives because with the rise of digitization, culture faces extinction. “In a globalized world, traditions like this help us stay grounded. They remind us who we are and they open doors for others to know us better. That's why cultural exchange matters; that's why this event matters,” Syvak said.