Ukrainian wreath-making event conveys centuries-old history

A symbol of the indomitability of the Ukrainian people

Вінок, як символ нескоренності українського народу

By Yuliia Kovalenko, U-Multicultural

October 7, 2022

WINNIPEG – Locals and visitors were treated to Ukrainian wreath-making classes the first weekend in October in Central Park. Hosted by the Ukrainian cultural and educational centre, OSEREDOK, the event was part of the downtown Culture Days festival.

Children and adults, along with people of all nationalities and genders were welcomed to join in the master class. By making flowers, they discovered the secret power of an ancient headdress steeped in history. Since ancient times, wreaths have symbolized the glory, victory and success of the Ukrainian people.

Workshop organizers explained the significance of the wreath in Ukrainian culture:

"Here we make a Ukrainian wreath," said Anna Shapilova, one of the organizers. "They are often worn in Ukrainian dances. Many folk traditions are also associated with it. One of them is weaving wreaths for Ivan Kupala (Kupala Night, a celebration of the shortest night of the year and the summer solstice).

“The girls release them into the water, with the hope that the future husband will find a wreath on the other side of the river," she explained.

Sung about in songs and shrouded in legend, the Ukrainian wreath has a centuries-old history. The wreath was first mentioned in the times of Sumerian culture, from the 12th to 3rd centuries BCE. Descendants of the Sumerians left many symbols to the next generations, including the mythical sign of the goddess Inanna/Ishtar: the wreath (a woven circle with a star at the centre).

Ukrainians’ ancestors understood that the main part of a person's body – through which they understand the world and influence it – is the head, so they created amulet wreaths to protect it against evil spirits and evil charms.

An equally important fact is that, according to tradition, the wreath consists of no more than 12 flowers. Among the most popular, which are traditionally woven into a wreath, there is yarrow, a symbol of insubordination; poppy, a symbol of dreams; chamomile, a symbol of beauty; and viburnum, a symbol of blood and immortality.

But the flowers of this master class were made of blue and yellow paper, which have always been and remain a symbol of the indomitability of the Ukrainian people.

"We decided to make wreaths in two colours – yellow and blue – as these are the colours of the Ukrainian flag. We wanted to show that these two colours have a special meaning in Ukrainian culture. Everyone knows that this is the Ukrainian flag; we decided to emphasize it. We also have red, white and blue wreath ribbons. Each colour has its own meaning," Shapilova explained.

Shapilova joined the centre more than a year ago to contribute to Ukrainian culture. She herself was born in Kharkiv, and came to Canada to get a higher education. But her parents are still in Ukraine. Although she tries to smile and not show her feelings, disturbing thoughts do not leave her for a moment:

"All my family stayed in Ukraine, my parents are now in Kyiv, half of my family is in Kharkiv. I am very worried. I feel helpless and I can't help them in any way."

While the second craftswoman featured in the video, Anna Radawetz, does not speak Ukrainian, she still feels a close connection with Ukraine.

"My family was born in Ukraine, we always follow Ukrainian traditions. The (Ukrainian) centre is like a family home for me,” she shared. “I started working in the centre in May, 2021. I wanted to work there to participate more in the projects of our community and learn more about Ukrainian culture and roots."

For almost 80 years, the Ukrainian centre has been engaged in preserving, spreading and popularizing Ukrainian-Canadian culture and heritage. Since the first day of Russia's military attack on Ukraine, the centre has been actively helping Ukrainian refugees by conducting trainings, language courses and sessions.

Today's master class also became symbolic. In such a simple, non-obtrusive way, Ukrainian women from the centre once again attract people's attention and remind of the terrible war on the territory of Ukraine.

"What is happening now is simply terrible. I am very proud of the Ukrainian people for their brave struggle. They have to defeat Russia," asserts Nicole Reynolds, a visitor to the wreath-making event.

"Of course we feel terrible about it. We hope that the war will end soon. I didn't think it would last this long. But again, I am very impressed by the strength of the Ukrainian people and how they are able to resist such a large country that invaded their country,” says Veronik Reynolds. “And I hope for the victory of the Ukrainian people."

Another woman came to the festival with her family because she has long been interested in Ukrainian culture.

"The master class is wonderful,” she said. “When I found the announcement on the website, I didn't know what to expect. It exceeded my expectations. I am pleasantly surprised with how carefully the women treated my daughter and niece."

People after the master class remain not only satisfied, but also a little more knowledgeable. Completed wreaths are tried on and taken away.

Shapilova said that during the master class, people expressed gratitude and showed concern for the events in Ukraine.

"We received a lot of words of support in the two days we were here," she said. "On the first day there were fewer people because the weather was not very good for attending events outside, but today is much sunnier, so now many children are making wreaths in our tent."

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IMAGE CREDITS:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Russian_beauty_in_summer_garland_by_Konstantin_Makovsky.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_wreath

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarcophagus_of_Yaroslav_the_Wise.jpg

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/War

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caesar_Julius.JPG

https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Фартух

https://euromaidanpress.com/2017/10/06/the-ukrainian-wreath-interweaving-beauty-and-tradition/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-red-petalled-flower-during-daytime-99566/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photography-of-yellow-and-white-flowers-during-daytime-159110/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-white-flowers-12833619/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/bowl-of-cherries-2479246/