Canada’s Premier Mark Carney Wears Traditional Ukrainian Embroidery in Parliament

Canada Celebrates Vyshyvanka Day

According to Главком: Canadian MPs, senators, and parliamentary staff marked Vyshyvanka Day, observed annually on the third Thursday of May. Prime Minister Mark Carney donned an embroidered shirt and issued a statement reaffirming Canada’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Ukraine’s fight is our fight, their cause is our cause, and their independence will be our victory. To Ukrainian communities in Canada and around the world who are celebrating their culture, identity, and traditions this Vyshyvanka Day: Canada stands with you.” - Mark Carney

The event took place in Canada’s Parliament building, where politicians posed for group photos to commemorate the occasion. The civic organization ‘Defense of the State’ has launched a campaign to have Vyshyvanka Day recognized as a national holiday in Ukraine. The group is also collecting signatures for a petition to Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, with support from:

• military personnel
• veterans (both men and women)
• volunteers
• cultural figures
• regional leaders
• local bloggers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska extended their greetings to Ukrainians on Vyshyvanka Day. In Kyiv, bronze statues of the city’s founding children on Poshtova Square were dressed in embroidered shirts as part of the celebrations. Municipal workers also decorated the capital’s parks with flower beds shaped in patriotic patterns.

Nadiya Vakulenko, a Honored Master of Folk Art and head of the All-Ukrainian Center for Embroidery and Carpet Weaving, discussed topics related to the Reshetylivka-style shirt known as ‘white on white,’ including why Hetman Pavlo Polubotok wore a ‘non-canonical’ version, what a ‘true’ Reshetylivka shirt should look like, and its cost. Notably, every Ukrainian president has worn a Reshetylivka shirt, including Nikita Khrushchev. This type of shirt has also been gifted to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and legendary film star Sophia Loren.

Showing Solidarity with Ukrainian Culture

Vyshyvanka Day has thus become a significant event not only in Ukraine but also abroad, demonstrating unity and support for Ukrainian culture on the international stage. This initiative in Canada highlights the importance of cultural ties between nations and solidarity with Ukraine during challenging times. Recognizing Vyshyvanka Day as a national holiday in Ukraine could be the next step in promoting Ukrainian culture and strengthening national identity. Moreover, international backing may positively influence the recovery and growth of cultural initiatives in Ukraine amid current challenges.

As Canada celebrates Vyshyvanka Day, it’s important to reflect on the event's significance over the years. This year marks two decades since the inception of Vyshyvanka Day, a student-led initiative that has grown into a national celebration, symbolizing unity and cultural pride among Ukrainians worldwide. Understanding this evolution highlights the enduring impact of cultural identity in the face of adversity.