An Exhibition Dedicated to Ukrainian Embroidery Is Being Held in Zagreb

The Ethnographic Museum of the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is hosting an exhibition titled "Ukrainian Embroidery: Living Tradition" until October 15, 2023. The exhibition is organized by the Ukrainian community of Zagreb in collaboration with the museum administration, as reported on the community's Facebook page. The aim of this exhibition is to introduce the Croatian public to Ukrainian culture and traditions.

The exhibition features exceptionally valuable embroidered items from the private collections of members of the Ukrainian minority. Special emphasis is placed on embroidered shirts, presented in three periods: the early 20th century, the 1950s-1980s, and the contemporary era.

In addition to shirts, visitors to the exhibition can admire various other handmade items, such as towels, napkins, decorative pillowcases, and more, all originating from the private collections of Ukrainians. These items help acquaint visitors with Ukrainian embroidery, which is an integral part of Ukraine's intangible heritage.

Furthermore, the exhibition showcases contemporary ethnic jewelry, reproduced based on antique patterns created by Ukrainian craftswomen and displayed in several showcases. According to the organizers, these items bear witness to a living tradition that exists in contemporary daily life and has become a part of the global industry.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Boris Yasinsky, a representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in Croatia. Zvezdana Antoš, the director of the Ethnographic Museum, also addressed the attendees, highlighting the exhibition's continuation of the museum's long-standing collaboration with the Ukrainian community. Oksana Zhuravel, a craftswoman, shared insights with the audience about the significance of Ukrainian embroidery as a part of the national heritage, the satisfaction derived from the embroidery process, the diversity of embroidery techniques in Ukraine, and the modern movements creating shirts for Ukrainian defenders.

It's worth noting that in mid-September, the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek hosted the Week of Ukrainian Culture, organized by the International Exchange Foundation of Pyeongtaek with the support of the city's administration and in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea. Among the events that took place during this week were the "Ukrainian Bookshelf" project and a photo exhibition about Ukraine, as well as an exhibition of drawings by Ukrainian children who participated in the International Art Festival "PAINT.UA.WAR."