The world once again has provided compelling evidence of our identity
At the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place in the capital of Paraguay, Asunción, the first international element from Ukraine, in collaboration with Estonia, has been added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: “Pysanka: Ukrainian Tradition and the Art of Egg Decoration”.
This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.
The nomination process began back in 2017 after a meeting with the Ukrainian community of bearers in Estonia. It consists of three elements. Two of these are included in the National List of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine — “Ukrainian Pysanka: Tradition and Art,” which unites communities from all regions of Ukraine, and “The Tradition of Hutsul Pysanka.” Another element — “Ukrainian Pysanka, Tradition and the Art of Decorating Easter Eggs” is included in the National List of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Estonia.
The recognition of the Ukrainian pysanka as a cultural heritage of humanity demonstrates to the world that Ukrainian culture is an integral part of global culture, rooted in respect for creative diversity and the traditions of the people.
The exchange and gifting of pysankas is a very important tradition for Ukrainians, regardless of their connection to the church. Personal wishes and messages are captured in various symbols on the pysankas. The national patterns of Ukrainian pysankas are not random — each motif has its own meaning. This is what makes each pysanka unique.
Let us remind you that the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity includes 611 elements, representing five regions and 140 states that are parties to the Convention. From Ukraine, “Petrykivka Decorative Painting as a Phenomenon of Ukrainian Ornamental Folk Art” was included in 2013, “The Tradition of Kosiv Painted Ceramics” in 2019, and “Ornek — Crimean Tatar Ornament and Knowledge About It” in 2021.
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