Ukrainian Vyshyanka celebrated in Chisinau: "A symbol of resistance and unity"
The Ukrainian community celebrated World Day of the National Vyshynka Shirt by wearing traditional shirts and holding the Ukrainian flag. Since the onset of the large-scale Russian invasion, this event has also come to symbolize solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their resistance to aggression.
Oxana Heizmann is originally from Dnipro, Ukraine, and has been living in Chisinau for nearly four years after seeking refuge there with her family due to the war. Among the few belongings she brought from home was a traditional Ukrainian shirt.
“Here we have very beautiful embroidery. This is one of the oldest Ukrainian shirts, known as Vyshyvanka. It is handmade and symbolizes the homeland,” she emphasized.
For Ukrainians, the national shirt represents resistance and unity.
“It embodies Ukrainian identity. It is not just a woven garment. In Ukraine, two sacred items are the embroidered brocade and the traditional hand-decorated egg. For a Ukrainian woman, these items serve as a form of therapy,” a participant at the event said.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu also wore a traditional shirt. He has lived in the neighboring country for over 20 years.
“For me, this day holds deep personal significance. Ukrainians are part of my personal story. Ukraine was and continues to be a second home for me,” stated Alexandru Munteanu.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Chisinau, Paun Rohovei, noted that the Vyshyvanka has become a symbol of Ukraine's invincibility and its people.
“It represents our spiritual armor—a sign of unity for millions of people in Ukraine and beyond its borders. The embroidered shirt has always been and will continue to be a symbol of our faith, hope, love, and future victory,” the diplomat concluded.
The event, now in its 13th edition, was organized in Chișinău by the National Congress of Ukrainians. Ukrainian Traditional Costume Day is celebrated in over 40 countries and aims to promote and preserve national traditions.
