Whether your family’s traditional dress is a Mexican huipil, an Indian sari or a Scottish kilt, where do you typically wear these clothes?
In Ukraine, the traditional clothing is a vyshyvanka. These shirts are usually made of cotton or linen and feature embroidered patterns on the front, collar and sleeves.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Anzhela Prygozhyna has worn her traditional blue and yellow vyshyvanka almost every other day, including last Saturday when she went jogging along the Potomac River in Washington, DC.
She was joined by dozens of other members of the Ukrainian diaspora to celebrate Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day – a day that commemorates the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s secession from the former Soviet Union. This comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its third year.
“We are here, all dressed in our vyshyvankas, to show people that the war continues,” said runner Roman Kachur. “Ukraine is suffering.”
Andriy Smolensky, a Ukrainian soldier who was wounded in southern Ukraine last year, came to the event with his wife Alina. Although he is the runner of the two, this was his first Vyshyvanka race.
“When we heard about it, we immediately took our vyshyvankas out of our backpacks,” Andriy said, laughing. “Every Ukrainian has one of these in their backpack. I’m just kidding, but the point is that we really just want to support the movement and we like running.”
Andriy has just completed his first week of treatment at Walter Reed Hospital.
“We are truly grateful that the American nation has supported our country,” he said.
The Vyshyvanka Run raised money for United Help Ukraine. The proceeds went to humanitarian aid as well as medical and psychiatric care for the Ukrainian population.
Copyright: NPR
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
Michael A. McCoy for NPR /
