Statues of Kyiv’s Founders Get a Festive Wardrobe Update
On May 21, for Vyshyvanka Day, the bronze statues of Kyiv’s founders at Poshtova Square received new embroidered shirts, each featuring a distinct regional pattern that highlights Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Sculptor Volodymyr Zhuravel, who initiated the event, remarked:
Friends, happy Vyshyvanka Day! We’ve dressed the little ones in holiday attire once again. — Volodymyr Zhuravel
The statues and their new shirts are:
- Kyi — in a Volyn-style vyshyvanka
- Shchek — in a Transcarpathian-style one
- Khoryv — in a Kyiv-style shirt
- Lybid — in a Chernihiv-style vyshyvanka
The next costume change for the statues is scheduled for May 30–31, coinciding with the celebration of Kyiv Day.
The Significance of Vyshyvanka Day
Vyshyvanka Day is observed on the third Thursday of May. The civic group 'Defense of the State' has proposed making it a national holiday, and a petition is currently gathering signatures across all regions of Ukraine to present to the Verkhovna Rada. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska have extended greetings to Ukrainians on this occasion, stressing the importance of preserving national culture and traditions.
Updating the attire of Kyiv’s founder statues not only underscores the vyshyvanka as a symbol of Ukrainian culture but also helps popularize this tradition among the public. Efforts to recognize Vyshyvanka Day as an official state holiday could mark a significant step in strengthening national identity and cultural heritage. Engaging a broad audience in the celebration may further spur cultural initiatives across the country.
As the celebration of traditional attire continues, it's worth noting that other institutions are also embracing the cultural significance of embroidered shirts. Recently, the staff of Ukraine's Pension Fund donned similar traditional garments, highlighting a collective effort to promote national heritage. This growing trend reflects a wider appreciation for Ukraine's cultural symbols, which are becoming increasingly prominent in various public sectors. To learn more about this initiative, visit how the Pension Fund staff celebrated.