The aggression of the Russian Federation targets also the history and culture of Ukraine, - the British ambassador explained why the Vyshyvanka Day (the Day of Ukrainian traditional embroidered shirt) is important.
During the Russian invasion, the celebration of the Vyshyvanka Day is especially important: Russia attacks not only the territory of Ukraine, but also culture and history.
Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, expressed this opinion on Twitter.
Seems to me that in a #RussianInvasion that so clearly targets 🇺🇦 culture and history as well as its territory and people, #vshyvankaday becomes even more important to celebrate. So here I am, celebrating it in my favourite vshyvanka. #SlavaUkraini pic.twitter.com/FO2FbHMNcc
— Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) May 19, 2022
“Seems to me that in a Russian invasion that so clearly targets the Ukrainian culture and history as well as its territory and people, the Vyshyvanka Day becomes even more important to celebrate. So here I am, celebrating it in my favourite vyshyvanka”, Ms. Melinda Simmons wrote.
The Vyshyvanka Day was firstly celebrated in 2006. The idea was proposed by Lesya Voronyuk, a student of the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations of the Yuri Fedkovych National University of Chernivtsi.
Initially, several dozens of students and several faculty members wore vyshyvankas. But in the following years, the holiday grew up to an all-Ukrainian level, the Ukrainian diaspora around the world joined it as well as supporters of Ukraine.