Vyshyvanka is a casual name for the embroidered shirt in Ukrainian and Belarusian national costumes. Ukrainian vyshyvanka is distinguished by local embroidery features specific to Ukrainian embroidery. Vyshyvanka is not present in the traditional Russian women's costume with the sarafan consisting of a long full skirt hanging just below the arms with straps or an extremely abbreviated bodice that secures it over the shoulders.
Etymology
In English translations of Ukrainian texts, the word "vyshyvanka" is a loanword. Same way as kilt speaks about its Scottish origin, or moccasins attribute to American Indians heritage, vyshyvanka proudly defines Ukrainian people. The term originated from the word "vyshyvka" meaning "stitch patterns".
In Ukraine
Embroidery
The embroidery is a fundamental element of the Ukrainian folk costume. Ukrainian vyshyvanka is distinguished by local embroidery features specific to Ukrainian embroidery: In Ukrainian embroidery, black, red, and white colours are basic, and yellow, blue, and green are supplementary. On the territory of Ukraine, embroidery existed already in the 5th century B.C, and was a creation of Scythian fine art. Ukraine is famous throughout the world for its highly artistic embroidery. It is important for the embroiderer today to use folk art as a source without altering stitches or colours because every change devalues a piece of embroidery and distorts it.
Artistic Influence
Other national dresses
Southern Russian dress, which shows a propensity for bright, polychromatic garments, was most certainly affected by the influence of vividly coloured Ukrainian costume from the significant influx of Ukrainian settlers since the 17th century.
Vyshyvanka is used as a talisman to protect the person wearing it and to tell a story. A geometric pattern weaved in the past by adding red or black threads into the light threads, which was later imitated by embroidery, was believed having the power to protect a person from all harm.
Patriotism
was a Ukrainian patriot who preferred wearing the vyshyvanka and was therefore known in Ukrainian as Vasyl Vyshyvanyi. The Vyshyvanoho Square was named in his honour in the city ofLviv. Vyshyvanka and other national symbols became extremely popular in Ukraine following Euromaidan, including in LGBT+ communities signalling their belonging to the nation.
Celebration
Vyshyvanka Day originated in 2006 at Chernivtsi National University by its student Lesya Voronyuk and gradually became international as the International Day of Vyshyvanka. It is celebrated on the third Thursday of May. It is intended to unite all Ukrainians over the world, regardless of religion, language they speak or their place of residence. It is a flash mob holiday, which is not attached to any public holiday or feast day. On this day many Ukrainians wear vyshyvankas to demonstrate commitment to the idea of national identity and unity and to show their patriotism. State officials, including municipal, court, and the government officials and the head of the state, may take part in celebration. In 2018, the Appeal Instance of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine conducted a research and came to the following conclusions:
