Lamps, ribbons, and a memory walk: an event dedicated to Vyshyvanka Day took place in Odesa

On May 21, Odesa celebrated Vyshyvanka Day, during which the city's residents joined the Embroidered Ribbon of Memory commemorative event. The event brought together the families of fallen soldiers, volunteers and concerned Odessans to honor the memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

Intent 's photojournalist Natalia Dovbysh captured the event in photographs.

The event was initiated by the public organization "Family of Angels of Light". The action began on the Alley of Heroes in Taras Shevchenko Park, where participants in embroidered shirts held a memorial ceremony, a minute of silence and decorated the stands of fallen soldiers with embroidered ribbons of remembrance to musical accompaniment.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

During the event, poems were recited, background music played, and everyone could take a photo near the portraits of their heroes. After the ceremony, the participants marched in a memorable procession "I'm walking for the Hero" through the central streets of Odesa.

The event ended on European Square near the national memorial, where participants lit candles in memory of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers. The organizers emphasized that the main goal of the event was to preserve national memory, support the families of the defenders and unite Ukrainians around a common memory.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

World Vyshyvanka Day is an international holiday that aims to preserve the ancient folk traditions of creating and wearing ethnic embroidered Ukrainian clothing. The date is the third Thursday of May every year. The holiday is not tied to any state or religious holiday. Anyone can join it by wearing an embroidered shirt.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

This holiday was started in 2006 by students of the Chernivtsi National University who decided to simply wear embroidered shirts one day as a sign of respect for tradition. The idea quickly spread throughout the country and even abroad. Today, Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated not only in Ukraine, but also by Ukrainians all over the world, from Canada to Australia.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

As Intent wrote, last year, about a hundred people gathered on European Square, where they organized a photo shoot in national costumes. After that, the participants set off on a march.

Анна Бальчінос