The international organization UNESCO has recognized the Ukrainian pysanka as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine following the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is taking place in the capital of Paraguay, Asuncion.
Ukrainian pysanka — cultural heritage of humanity
It is noted that the first international element from Ukraine, together with Estonia, was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity “Pysanka: Ukrainian Tradition and Art of Decorating Eggs”.
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— This is our common success, which testifies to the strength of our unity. At the same time, the aggressor is destroying our culture, monuments, theaters, libraries, museums. Our artists, bearers of living heritage, are dying in the fight for the homeland. Their loss undermines the very heart of our identity. After all, living heritage does not exist without people. We prove that even in the darkest times, we remain indestructible.
The inclusion of the Ukrainian pysanka in the UNESCO Representative List is proof of this. We proclaim to the whole world: living heritage unites us, gives us a sense of belonging and embodies our identity, — said the Minister of Culture Mykola Tochytskyi.
The ICC added that work on the nomination began in 2017 after a meeting with the Ukrainian community of speakers in Estonia.
The nomination consists of three elements: two of them are included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine — “Ukrainian Pysanka: Tradition and Art”, uniting communities from all regions of Ukraine, and “Hutsul Pysanka Tradition”.
Another element of — “Ukrainian Pysanka: Tradition and Art of Decorating Easter Eggs” was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Estonia.
— The recognition of the Ukrainian pysanka as a cultural heritage of humanity demonstrates to the whole world that Ukrainian culture is an integral part of world culture, which is based on respect for creative diversity, and respect for the culture and traditions of the people, — the ministry said in a statement.
Today, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity contains 611 elements, corresponding to 5 regions and 140 states parties to the Convention. From Ukraine, this list includes “Petrykivka decorative painting as a phenomenon of Ukrainian ornamental folk art” in 2013, “Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics” in 2019 and “Ornek — Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it” in 2021
