On May 23, Yerevan hosted a festival dedicated to Vyshyvanka Day — an event that has already become an important part of the life of the Ukrainian community in Armenia and each year brings together friends of Ukraine, diplomats, volunteers, and local residents around Ukrainian culture.
The festival was organized by the NGO “Ukrainian Forum” together with the NGO “Ukrainians of Armenia,” with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Armenia, partners, and the Ukrainian community. Thanks to these joint efforts, the organizers created the atmosphere of a true Ukrainian celebration far from home — warm, sincere, and filled with special meaning.
This year, the center of the celebration became the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Yeritasardutyan Park. It was here that a world record was officially registered in the categories “First Time” and “Dimensions” for the world’s largest Ukrainian ornamented cape created for the monument of the Kobzar. The large embroidered cape, measuring 3 meters 55 centimeters in length and 2 meters 25 centimeters in width, was handmade by the Ukrainian community and volunteers of Yerevan.
The initiator of the project was Olena Shevchuk, head of the NGO “Ukrainians of Armenia.” Several years ago, due to the unique structure and height of the monument, participants abandoned the idea of a traditional embroidered shirt and instead created a special cape that is complemented each year with new ornaments and decorative elements. Over time, this tradition has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Ukrainian community in Armenia.
The festival united Ukrainian traditions and Armenian hospitality. Guests arrived wearing vyshyvankas and traditional Armenian taraz costumes, highlighting the cultural dialogue and sincere friendship between the two nations. The area around the monument was filled with Ukrainian music, live conversations, and a sense of unity that is especially meaningful for Ukrainians living far from home.
The musical atmosphere of the celebration was created by the “Dnipro” choir, Anastasiia Lebedkina, as well as Granush and Ani Arabyan, whose performances became a vibrant part of the festival. One of the symbolic highlights was also the “20” flash mob dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of the official celebration of Vyshyvanka Day.
On this day, not only Ukrainian music could be heard in the center of Yerevan — Ukraine itself could be felt. In the people who, despite war, distance, and exhaustion, continue to preserve their culture, language, and memory. And moments like these prove that Ukraine cannot be confined to borders on a map. It lives wherever there are hearts that beat for it.
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Authors: Aida Stepanchuk and Olena Shevchuk
Photo: event organisers