AN POIGNANT annual event took place in Stroud for the first time on the weekend.
Vyshyvanka Day is an international holiday that aims to preserve the Ukrainian folk traditions of creating and wearing ethnic embroidered shirts called Vyshyvankas.
On Saturday 18 May, Cotswold Canals Connected joined forces with Stroudwater Textile Trust and Stroud Stands with Ukraine to bring the day to the town.
This first time event was dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich textile heritage, and friendship between Ukraine and Stroud.
The event began with a large parade from St Laurence’s Church, led by Stroud Samba Group, Simbora, which made it’s way around the town centre before returning to the church for more festivities.
The church was filled with examples of traditional Vyshyvanka as well as cabin lace and Gloucestershire agricultural smocks.
There was a variety of different embroidery workshops and kids’ activities on offer, such as candle making, Ukrainian jigsaws, rag rugging, biscuit decorating, and of course the opportunity to eat lots of traditional Ukrainian cake!
The event was supported by a host of music and dance performances including; Acapellies, Svetlana, Stroud Morris, Taras, Melania and Solomiya, Downfielders, Kolo - Ukrainian School, Bandura Group and Katya.
Sophie Wakefield, Cotswold Canals Connected events manager said: “We are thrilled to have hosted Stroud’s very first Vyshyvanka Day and hope to see this tradition continue in years to come.
"The event was a great success, with hundreds of people in attendance; it showed a real collaboration of the two communities.
"It was fantastic to see people of all ages come together to sing, dance, take part in the embroidery workshops, and of course sample some of the delicious Ukrainian cakes!
"We would like to thank Stroudwater Textile Trust and Stroud Stands with Ukraine for helping to organise this event and for providing great insight into their respective communities.
"We have lots more exciting events coming up this summer, so please keep an eye out and follow us on social media!”
All images by photographer Simon Pizzey.
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