A historic milestone was achieved during the 19th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay. For the first time, a joint international element from Ukraine and Estonia, “Pysanka: Ukrainian Tradition and Art of Egg Decoration,” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This accomplishment was made possible through the close collaboration of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to UNESCO, the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, tradition bearers, practitioners, and civil society representatives.
“This is a collective victory that highlights the strength of our unity. Yet, while we celebrate, the aggressor continues to destroy our culture, monuments, theaters, libraries, and museums. Our artists, the living bearers of our heritage, are sacrificing their lives in defense of our homeland. Their loss cuts to the very core of our identity. Without people, living heritage cannot exist. Even so, we demonstrate that resilience prevails, even in the darkest times. Including the Ukrainian pysanka in UNESCO’s Representative List is a testament to this. We proclaim to the world: living heritage unites us, fosters a sense of belonging, and embodies our identity,” said Mykola Tochytskyi, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, in his video message.
The nomination process began in 2017, following a meeting with Ukrainian tradition bearers in Estonia. It focuses on three core elements. Two are listed in Ukraine’s National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage: “Ukrainian Pysanka: Tradition and Art,” which encompasses communities across all regions of Ukraine, and “The Hutsul Pysanka Tradition.” The third, “Ukrainian Pysanka: The Tradition and Art of Decorating Easter Eggs”, is recognized in Estonia’s National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The recognition of the Ukrainian pysanka as a cultural heritage of humanity affirms to the world that Ukrainian culture is an integral part of global heritage, rooted in respect for creative diversity and the traditions of all peoples.
For Ukrainians, the exchange and gifting of pysanky are cherished traditions, transcending religious boundaries. Each pysanka carries personal messages and wishes encoded in its intricate symbols. The motifs and patterns are deliberate, each imbued with specific meaning, making every pysanka a unique creation.
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity currently includes 611 elements from 140 countries spanning five regions. Ukraine’s contributions include “Petrykivka Decorative Painting as a Phenomenon of Ukrainian Ornamental Folk Art” (2013), the “Tradition of Kosiv Painted Ceramics” (2019), and “Ornek – Crimean Tatar Ornament and Knowledge About It” (2021).
