Reviving Ukraine's Cultural Heritage
Every suit is the result of meticulous research by scholars who have recreated the cultural code of various regions in Ukraine, preserved in memories and patterns.
Recently, the National Center of Folk Culture "Ivan Honchar Museum" opened an exhibition titled "Reviving Heritage," dedicated to traditional clothing from regions currently under occupation.
As part of the project, six male and six female outfits were created, representing different areas of Ukraine.
These costumes are the result of years of hard work by folklorists, ethnographers, museum staff, and artisans. Specialists relied on historical sources, archival materials, and oral testimonies collected before the war.
The project brought together dozens of experts from various fields of art. It was initiated by the NGO "World Vyshyvanka Day" in partnership with Taras Shevchenko National University.
The concept was developed by writer and director Lesya Voronyuk and ethnographer Volodymyr Shchybrya. Project partners include the international fund ALIPH, the European Union, and the Ivan Honchar Museum.
"The project is unique in that all costumes were made by contemporary artisans based on authentic historical samples. Each costume retains regional characteristics — from embroidered shirts to accessories," the authors note.
According to the curators, it was important not only to recreate the clothing but also to convey its history through elements that shape the region's identity.
"This is not just a collection, but a cultural reconstruction that restores the voices of those affected by war. The exhibition has become an act of collective testimony and respect for cultural heritage," emphasize the organizers.
They also highlight that each clothing element embodies the memory of the region and its presence. It stands as a resistance to oblivion and a determination to preserve the cultural code under threat of destruction.
Particular challenges arose during the reproduction of a male shirt from the Kherson region, where samples were scarce, requiring detailed archival studies.
The director of the museum, Petro Honchar, states that the project represents a space of memory and identity. Each costume is proof that culture lives even under occupation.
"This exhibition is significant as it speaks to our present, to what we preserve and pass on," concluded Petro Honchar.
Exhibition "Reviving Heritage"
When: until August 31, Wednesday to Sunday: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Where: Lavrska Street, 19
Ticket prices: 100 UAH, discounted (students, pensioners) — 50 UAH, children's (from 7 years) — 30 UAH. Free admission for children (under 7 years), military personnel, and veterans.
