Ukraine may get a new public holiday
A large-scale petition drive has begun in Ukraine to officially designate Vyshyvanka Day as a national holiday, traditionally celebrated every year on the third Thursday of May.
The initiative was launched by the civic organization “Protection of the State,” which seeks to enshrine the status of this popular folk event in law.
Activists have launched activities across all regions of the country, enlisting broad segments of society to support the cause.
Military personnel, male and female veterans, volunteers, prominent cultural figures, as well as regional leaders and local bloggers are already actively participating in the collection of signatures for a collective appeal to the Verkhovna Rada.
The organizers of the campaign are convinced that the embroidered shirt has long ceased to be merely an element of traditional clothing.
In times of great trials, it has become a true manifesto of Ukrainian identity and national unity.
Public figures emphasize that official status will only confirm the high level of respect for the holiday that has existed within society for many years.
“For 20 years, Vyshyvanka Day has been a true national holiday celebrated by millions of people in Ukraine and far beyond its borders. During a full-scale war, this holiday has taken on special significance. The vyshyvanka has become a symbol of resilience, unity, and the connection between those working on the home front and those fighting on the front lines,” reads a statement from the NGO “Defense of the State.”
On May 18, according to the church calendar, the memory of the holy martyrs Theodotus, Peter, Dionysius, Andrew, and others is honored.
In 2026, World Vyshyvanka Day will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
