Ukrainian social
We learnt the intricate Ukrainian paper cutting tradition of Vytynanka, a mindful and decorative craft used to mark celebrations throughout the year, shared with us by Olena. This mindful activity gave us the opportunity to make whist getting to know each other.
We marked the end of our exhibition Shaping Nations with a community event organised with members of the Ukrainian community.
We learnt the intricate Ukrainian paper cutting tradition of Vytynanka, a mindful and decorative craft used to mark celebrations throughout the year, shared with us by Olena. This mindful activity gave us the opportunity to make whist getting to know each other.
Afterwards we enjoyed homemade pasties, cakes and sweets. The gathering was intergenerational and international with guests from Ukraine, America, Wales, Syria, Lebanon and England.
Mariia is a teacher, facilitator and translator, she led an activity called World Café which brough everyone together to talk about their experiences of arriving in Wales and finding sanctuary. The overwhelming themes from this activity were gratitude for warm welcome from local communities, an openness to new experiences and a desire for unity and peace.
Shaping Nations was the culmination of a two year Heritage Lottery Funded Project delivered by the Welsh Refugee Council, involving communities across Wales in creative activities.
Work in the exhibition made by Ukrainians living in Wales celebrated cultural and creative traditions, including Vyshyvanka - embroidered shirts worn by everyone in Ukraine, the Vinok - traditional flower headdresses; a woollen Motanka doll and Petrykivka painting, recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
