Courage and Faith
Support, strength, and beauty
So many of the photographs, like this one from the past, show happier times: women in traditional clothing decorated by elaborate embroidery. Now the photos show thousands leaving the country in more practical warm clothes, children wearing their blankets as they walk. And today, thousands of Ukrainian civilians fight off Russian invaders on the edges of their capital Kyiv. according to the Wall Street Journal.
In spite of the news focus on Ukraine right now many people, including me, don’t know very much about the people or their way of life. That led me on an adventure to learn more. I share some of my discoveries with photos, recipes, and sound.
Traditional Ukrainian food: Borscht
Warning: this is a lengthy process. Click for a recipe for Ukrainian borscht. It could become a favorite winter recipe.
Ukrainian Poetry by Taras Schevchenko read by Ukrainian artists
This 1961 recording by Smithsonian Folkways is a tribute to the poet whose work inspires contemporary Ukrainian poets. I am fascinated by the sound of laguage. You can hear the sound of each poem in Ukrainian. The recording itself also provides English translations in the liner notes.
Ukrainian embroidery patterns have meaning
I have Irish ancestry. I know that the patterns in Irish fisherman’s sweaters identify the fishermen wearing them. Ukrainian embroidery patterns also have meaning. You should choose your embroidered shirt with care.
All of the ornamentation is conventionally divided into three groups: plant and floral, geometric, and zoomorphic. The latter two are used more rarely. The symbols are also distributed according to the regions of Ukraine. Traditionally, geometric patterns prevail in Western Ukraine, while Southern and Eastern Ukraine are characterized by plant and floral ornamentation. Such a phenomenon can be explained by the varying culture, natural landscapes, and, in some cases, even the mentality of the people.
Ukrainian Headscarf Day — December 7
I love Ukrainian headscarfs. The brilliant color and floral patterns celebrate nature and women’s life bearing and caring leadership in our world.
Originally published at https://aikyaparam.substack.com on February 26, 2022.
Rev. Aikya Param writes articles and poetry, creates art with pen, ink and watercolor, and sculpture in clay.. Her book Can’t Wait to Change is on Amazon. Oberon Poetry Magazine, Stick Figure Poetry, and the anthology Flight of a Feather by poetschoice.in published her poetry. Her art has been exhibited in the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda, CA. See other writing by Aikya on Authory.
