A large flag of Ukraine unfurled in Odesa

On May 15, residents of Odesa dressed in embroidered shirts and dresses and took to the streets to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May.

According to an Intent correspondent, 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. Their route ran from European Square (the former monument to Catherine II) to the Duke monument, then along Primorsky Boulevard to the city council building. Then the participants went up to the Opera House and walked down Evropeiska and Deribasovska streets. There they took more pictures and later received a large Ukrainian flag, which they unfurled and carried down Deribasivska Street to the City Garden.

Throughout the procession, participants sang Ukrainian folk songs and shouted patriotic slogans: "Glory to Ukraine!", "Glory to the Heroes!", "Death to the Enemies!", "Ukraine is above all!" and others. The event was peaceful and uplifting, uniting Odessans in a celebration of national identity.

"We didn't expect so many people to come, but throughout the day we saw a lot of people wearing embroidered shirts. It's very nice that people came together. It wasn't announced, but it's great that people respect, feel, and love this day. We will continue to organize such events and gather people. Thank you for coming," said Svitlana, the event's organizer.

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.

This holiday was started in 2006 by students of Chernivtsi National University who decided to wear embroidered shirts one day as a sign of respect for traditions. 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: Intent/Oleksiy Kravchuk.

Ірина Глухова