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mini-MUM Vyshyvanka & the Bulava
We celebrate Vyshyvanka!
Vyshyvanka, Ukrainian embroidered shirts, are centuries old. Their stitches are believed to protect the soul and body with symbolism in every motif and style – a visual language. Under the soviets it was branded as ‘nationalist’ and tied to the dissident movement. Wearing one could even mean being put in prison. Ukraine's independence in 1991, changed everything. Ukrainian fashions were re-imagined for the runways and haute couture - and, worn proudly worn by celebrities.
More than a beautiful garment, vyshyvanka it is part of our soul - uniting Ukrainian communities displaying a strong statement of respect for Ukrainian history, culture, and independence.
May 21st, 2026 Vyshyvanka Day Celebrates its 20th Anniversary!
In 2006, students at the Yurij Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University launched Vyshyvanka Day by wearing embroidered shirts to class. Now marked in over 70 countries, by more than 20 million people, we bring the traditional embroidery into modern practice.
Our Ukrainian soldiers wear vyshyvanka under their uniforms, just as generations before them did when going into battle. Marking Vyshyvanka Day on May 19, 2022, President Zelensky wore a khaki-coloured oak-leaf motif embroidered shirt – symbolizing strength and longevity. That shirt was sold at a Washington auction in June 2022 for $100,000US with proceeds going to United24, benefiting Ukrainian defense and medical aid.
The story of embroidery – VYSHYVANKA – is far from finished!
Wear yours with pride at every opportunity.
A bit about the VYSHYVANKA in the display case…
The woman’s shirt (sorochka), from the early 20th century is originally from Slobidka, Horodenka, Ivano Frankivsk – the Podillia Ethnographic zone. It is embroidered on handcrafted linen fabric with cotton & wool threads. Our accession record indicates it was embroidered by Paraska Il’chyshyn, born 1912. Paraska would have been young when she embroidered this vyshyvanka. Think for yourself… What was her village life like? One war was over; Ukraine was proclaiming independence; the red army and other forces were invading… We don’t have her story. Yet, we carry the memory of Paraska through this bright and colourful sorochka in the Museum collection.
Did you know that Ukrainian linen is older than the pyramids? Flax has been grown in Ukraine for more than 7,500 years. From ancient villages to Cossack battlefields, from family rituals to modern fashion runways, flax has woven itself into the story of generations.
Many of the vyshyvanka in the Museum collection are made of homespun and woven linen.
The man’s shirt is a more recent Museum acquisition donated as part of the ‘Shymkiw Collection’ by the family of +Iryna Shymkiw, formerly of Winnipeg. Iryna was born in Chernylytsia, Ivano Frankivsk and loved the intrinsic Ukrainian embroidery. The shirt itself is not a traditional style but, the cross-stitch pattern is intriguing. It is considered a warrior’s pattern. This same pattern is said to be on a shirt preserved in the grave of Hetman Pavlo Polubotok. (Polubotok is pictured in the display.) The symbols are of defence and protection, wealth and success; consisting of four colours – blue (honesty and sincerity), white (purity and spirituality), brown (reliability, strength, practicality), yellow (concentration of thought).
A bit about the BULAVA …
The bulava is a type of mace. They first appeared in ancient times; made of iron and bronze spikes and pyramidal projections. The bulava was widely used in Ukraine in the 13th century as a weapon. In the 16th – 18th centuries, the Hetman, the elected administrator of the Ukrainian Cossack state, was endowed with the bulava – the highest symbol of power - as a symbol of their authority. Smaller ribbed bulava (pernach/shestoper) were carried behind a belt.
The name Cossack is derived from the Turkic kazak – meaning free man. If one could not find his appropriate place in society, they went into the steppes of the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine, where they acknowledged no authority! They were armed men who were engaged in military service and protected trade caravans traveling the steppe routes. Later, the name had a wider definition as it was given to the Ukrainians who went into the steppes to practice various trades and a natural lifestyle. The Ukrainian Cossacks struggled against oppression and played an important political role in the history of their nation. There are many chapters in the story of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Even today their influence and traditions are still evident.
Military commander Bohdan Khmelnytsky became the first Hetman when he led the Cossacks to victory in 1648. Without going into the details of the warfare during that time, under Khmelnytsky’s leadership the balance of powers in Europe would play a significant role in the development of Ukrainian nationalism. Seen by some as a national hero and by others as a cruel and treacherous man, his image remains controversial with differing perspectives on his legacy.
A sidebar about the two Hetman shown in the vestibule display… Before being elected Hetman, Pavlo Polubotok fought against Hetman Ivan Mazepa in 1706! Hetman rule was abolished in 1764. That is our history!
Today, the bulava/mace is still recognized as a symbol of authority. The President of Ukraine is presented a ceremonial bulava – which attests to the continuity of the centuries-old historical traditions of Ukrainian statehood. A gold-plated mace, representing the Crown’s authority, is ceremoniously carried into the Senate Chamber of the Canadian Parliament during the Speaker’s parade. A ceremonial mace is used in many academic institutions and governments when conducting official business.
Our vestibule display includes bulavy of various sizes, construction and decoration from the Museum and private collections. The Carpathian bulavy are made of natural wood, inlaid with beads and metal pieces. A bulava is a popular souvenir, home talisman and high-end gift because of its history and representation.
Sources of reference for the above include: The Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Nasha Doroha journal, Wikipedia and various other internet sources.
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