Ukrainian Culture
Every time you see a girl wearing a beautiful flower crown, laurel, or wreath, you’re witnessing a cultural heritage. Ukraine is known for their fashion that extends to babushkas (colorful floral head scarves), unmistakable prints, and other traditional dress.
When we think of Neo-paganism in Slavic countries and its aesthetic of May Pole dancing, celebrating seasonal solstices, dying eggs, and even festivals similar to other summer fêtes like Coachella and Burning Man, we’re subtly referencing Ukrainian tradition and folklore.
- Ukrainian fashion is unmistakable. Babushkas (literally translated to mean “grandmother”) are beautiful, bright floral scarves, and they’re not just for grandmothers! Ornate flower crowns and garlands are also uniquely Ukrainian and have become synonymous with bohemian beauty and whimsical, natural style.
- Embroidery is very important in Ukrainian fashion. Traditional dress called “vyshyvanka” is a romantic shirt embellished with embroidery of brightly colored flowers and is usually accentuated with a belt, sash, or scarf. With a head wreath, ropes of beads, and a flowing skirt, an image of a beautiful Ukrainian woman is conjured. Many have taken to wearing the national dress as a sign of solidarity.
- Ukraine is known for its food. Whether it’s borscht (made with beets and other root vegetables), sauerkraut, pickles, kasha, stuffed cabbage, nalysnyky (Ukrainian crepes), babka for dessert, or their famous chicken soup, it’s all steeped in history and is, most importantly, hardy and delicious.
- Traditional music that includes lamentations and instruments like the violin and dulcimer is always played at solstice celebrations after the harvest has been sowed and/or reaped. There’s usually a bonfire, food, drink, and, of course, lots of merriment.
- Pysanka is a kind of decorative egg made for Easter that is beloved the world over. The designs are actually written onto the egg using beeswax instead of paint or dye.
Sights
Learn about incredible landmarks through Spartan and the Green Egg!
One of the best things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to teach your children. We can all travel vicariously through books—if not in actuality—and learn about geography and far-off places with a little help from Spartan and the Green Egg and their Explorer Pins, which are ideal educational tools for the little ones in your life.
- The “Tunnel of Love is a 3-kilometer railway corridor in Klevan that leads to a fireboard factory. What makes the corridor unique are the green trees that are framed to create a romantic and eye-catching tunnel. It is an ideal getaway spot for lovers and budding photographers.”
- “The Swallow’s Nest is a gorgeous castle that was built over a two-year period, starting in 1911. The castle is part of the town of Gaspra, located in Crimea. The castle has a great view overlooking the Black Sea coast. The Swallow’s Nest is easily one of the most visited tourist locations in Crimea.”
What You Can Do to Help
- All Spartan and the Green Egg Ukrainian flag pin proceeds go to charity. The Children for Peace (ONLUS) is a fantastic NGO that donates beds, clothes, toys, medical supplies, food, and other necessities and support. Find out more about them by visiting this link:
https://www.thechildrenforpeace.org/
The bright blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag symbolize open sky over yellow-speared wheat fields, while Ukraine’s national flower is the sunflower, which is a joyful symbol that represents happiness.
To purchase your very own Ukrainian flag pin, check out the link below:
For more information on the sights mentioned in the blog, check out the links below and Spartan and the Green Egg at the website:
- https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/swallows-nest/
- https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/tunnel-of-love/
