A group of persons who included Ukrainians who settled in Moldova, businessmen, representatives of civil society and others came together in the square of the Metropolitan Cathedral “God’s Birth” in central Chisinau on May 19 to celebrate the International Day of the Traditional Ukrainian Embroidered Blouse. Wearing such traditional blouses called “Vyshyvanka”, the event organizers said they aim to promote the beauty of the Ukrainian national costume and the idea of multiculturalism as a common national benefit in Moldova as well as ancestors’ traditions and values, IPN reports.

Veronica Arpintin, a member of the Community of Ukrainian Women of Moldova, said that by this event that already became a tradition they want to show to the whole world that they are united and are an integral part of Moldovan society and that they know to respect the local traditions. “We want to keep our traditions, but to also learn the local traditions. Wearing the national costume and knowing the traditions of the own people, your learn about yourself and about your people,” she stated, adding that the ornaments used on the blouse show particular things about the person wearing it, like, for example, the area of the country from which this comes.

Dressed in a Ukrainian national costume, Natalia Chirica, a member of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova who is half-Ukrainian, said “Vyshyvnka” is a nice tradition that she wants to transmit to her children. “Each nation and people must know its origin and the purpose on earth,” she said.

Attending the event, Moldovan film director Cristian Jereghi said that such activities unite the Ukrainian diaspora and remind the young generation of the Ukrainian culture. He wore a black Ukrainian blouse. According to him, Ukrainian tradition says that in times of war those who fought or were on the front wore black blouses.

Since 2006, “Vyshyvnka” has been celebrated by the Ukrainians everywhere on the third Thursday of May. This year it has been observed in 50 countries, including Moldova. In 2016 the event was organized by the Community of Ukrainian Women of Moldova in cooperation with the Association of Ukrainian Youth in Moldova “Zlagoda” and the organization “K-Lumea”.