Paris Exhibits Vasylkiv Roosters Raising Funds for Ukrainian Veterans’ Recovery
A unique collection of Vasylkiv ceramic roosters, symbolizing resilience and supporting hearing restoration for Ukrainian soldiers, was showcased in Paris during the opening of the Ukrainian Cultural Season.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Ukrinform.
The exhibition, part of the Ukrainian Cultural Season in France, presented a selection of the “Unbreakable” Vasylkiv roosters from the Vasylkiv Majolica Factory. The initiative, led by the Charitable Fund “Rooster,” aims to raise funds for surgical procedures restoring hearing for military personnel affected by drone attacks and explosions.
Notable attendees who received ceramic roosters included French First Lady Brigitte Macron, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Culture Minister Rachida Dati, and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted the symbolic significance of the roosters.
"It is one of the symbols of our resilience. And it coincides with the French symbol - the rooster. Only in our case, it is a ceramic rooster from Borodianka, which remained standing on a kitchen shelf in a house destroyed by Russian terror,‘" recalled Sybiha in his speech at the opening. "I am very pleased that this rooster has also become a symbol of the restoration of our soldiers' hearing."
Founded by ENT surgeon Ivan Hrynko, the collection now includes over 2,000 pieces, though only around 200 were displayed in Paris to draw attention to the ongoing need for hearing restoration.
Many Ukrainian soldiers suffer from eardrum perforations due to the war, a condition that is often invisible but can lead to severe post-traumatic stress. Since the program’s inception, 130 soldiers have undergone surgery, but the demand in Ukraine exceeds 40,000–50,000 cases.
Plans for next year include restoring hearing for 300 soldiers with the support of the fund, while efforts continue to establish a dedicated Hearing Recovery Center for the military.
A ceramic rooster from Vasylkiv, a town near Kyiv known for its majolica pottery, has become a powerful symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Originally produced during Soviet times, the rooster-shaped jugs were common in kitchens across the region.
One such rooster survived intact on a kitchen shelf in the bombed town of Borodianka, capturing the attention of journalist Elizaveta Servatyanksa and inspiring Ukrainians nationwide.
The image of the undamaged rooster was later used by artist Oleksandr Grekhov in a web poster with the message “Hold On,” turning it into a talisman of resilience amid the war. The symbolic cockerel has since been gifted to prominent figures, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting its cultural and emotional significance.
In Ukrainian folklore, the rooster represents vigilance, new beginnings, and protection against evil. Its presence on rooftops, embroidery, and household items reflects a longstanding tradition of using the rooster as a guardian and emblem of hope
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris hosted the grand opening of the Ukrainian Cultural Season, inaugurated by First Lady Olena Zelenska under the slogan “Culture Strikes Back.” The event showcased Ukrainian cinema, music, literature, visual arts, and theater, highlighting the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage despite the devastation caused by the war.