Hong Kong Hosts Monumental Ukrainian Vytynanka Christmas Exhibition
The Ukrainian Christmas Vytynanka Exhibition by artist Tetyana Kuzmych (Kashuba) has officially opened in Hong Kong, showcasing a monumental Ukrainian cultural artwork.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to The Ukrainian Society of Hong Kong on Facebook.
Organized by The Ukrainian Society in Hong Kong and Wyndham Social, the exhibition features a 10-meter hand-cut Vytynanka, a traditional Ukrainian papercut art form used to decorate homes during Christmas, New Year, and winter festivities. While the paper-cutting technique has historical roots in China, in Ukraine it developed into a unique cultural language rich in symbolism and storytelling.
"In Tetyana Kuzmych’s hands, this fragile medium becomes a luminous declaration of identity, memory, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine," was stated in Wyndham Social.
Moreover, being a prominent Ukrainian artist specializing in Vytynanka, In 2025, Kuzmych created Ukraine’s largest papercut artwork — a monumental 10 × 3 meter piece now listed in the National Register of Records of Ukraine. She is patenting a unique technique that mimics the rhythm and texture of traditional Ukrainian embroidery, turning paper into a play of light and shadow.
Her works are exhibited in museums across Ukraine, Czechia, and Germany, and she actively takes part in international projects promoting Ukrainian culture and heritage.
"Each intricate cut and pattern tells a story of hope and perseverance, serving as a reminder of the enduring human spirit even in the face of immense hardship. The dominant red colour, powerful and evocative, symbolises not only love and vitality but also solemn remembrance of those who have given their lives defending Ukraine," the statement goes.
The event was supported by multiple partners, including Wyndham Social for hosting, Natalia Prysiazhniuk from The Ukrainian Society in Hong Kong as co-organizer, and Ivan the Kozak restaurant providing festive Ukrainian Christmas treats.
The exhibition is open at Wyndham Social, G/F, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, from December 12, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Vytynankas are traditional Ukrainian paper-cut decorations that first appeared in rural homes in the mid-19th century. Their name comes from the word “vytynaty”, meaning “to cut out.” Artists would create intricate designs from white or colored paper, often using geometric, floral, or figurative patterns depicting animals, people, and everyday life.
Originally, vytynankas decorated windows, walls, stoves, shelves, and beams, often telling stories about village life, holidays, and family events, particularly during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The art form has roots in China (7th–12th centuries), but in Ukraine it evolved into a unique cultural expression. By the 19th–20th centuries, vytynankas were widespread across the country, especially in regions like Prykarpattia, Podillia, and the Dnipro area.
During the holiday season, they were often crafted in the shapes of snowflakes, stars, angels, or cross motifs as protective charms, decorating windows, beams, and shelves.
Although their everyday use declined in the mid-20th century due to industrial decorations like textiles and carpets, modern artists have revived vytynankas for Christmas, contemporary interiors, public spaces, and book covers.
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