UAinKrakоw.pl visited the project presentation and talked to the participants and organizers.
Idea of the project «Neighborhood Patterns»
The Fund «Mission», in cooperation with the EKO&ETNO kuznia art workshop, is planning to create an embroidered map of Poland and Ukraine (2×1 m in size). The map will reproduce the geographical outline of both countries, the common border (542.39 km), 16 Polish voivodeships, 24 Ukrainian regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
The embroidered map of the countries will demonstrate national traditions. Regional features of administrative units will be embroidered on a huge canvas, separated by yarns. Each Ukrainian region has its own patterns, colors and symbols. It is these special patterns that will fill the Ukrainian part of the map. At the project presentation, three Ukrainian regions were already embroidered: Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Zakarpattia.
The territory of Poland on the map will also be filled in with regional features. The project initiators plan to explore Polish voivodeships to learn about cultural values. There is a thought that voivodeship coats of arms will be embroidered on the map. In the process of creating this map-picture, there will be meetings, communication, exchange of cultures and history. This is the main idea of the project – cross-cultural exchange for the sake of unity.
The initiators of the project invite Krakow residents, Polish and international NGOs, businessmen, volunteers, artists, journalists, and scientists – everyone who supports Ukraine in these difficult times – to join this project.
The initiators of the project invite Krakow residents, Polish and international NGOs, businessmen, volunteers, artists, journalists, and scientists – everyone who supports Ukraine in these difficult times – to join in the project.
The project is expected to be completed on Ukraine’s Independence Day, August 24, 2025. This embroidered map will be a gift to the President of Krakow as a memorable sign of good neighborliness and mutual respect.
Presentation of the initiative
At the presentation of the «Patterns of Neighborliness» project, visitors could listen to poetry by Ukrainian poets Lyudmyla Riznyk and Inessa Dolenyk. Enjoy a performance by musician Jordana Dranchuk, author of more than 100 songs in Polish and Ukrainian. To see the photo exhibition «Invisible Weapon», which tells about the folk culture of western Ukraine, in particular the Carpathians and Subcarpathia. The photo exhibition has been created over many years and shows the real celebration of Christmas, caroling, and the production of Hutsul ceramics, which is recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO. Besides it, the participants of the event had the opportunity to take part in master classes conducted by Ukrainian craftswomen.
Liudmyla Riznyk, one of the participants of the event, designer, founder of the ethnic brand «Gladka», presented her collection «Intertwining Generations» – exclusive author’s hand embroidery on hemp fabric dating back to 100 years ago. Liudmyla is sure that history and culture – things that should keep Ukraine together now. She also calls for honoring what is Ukrainian and sharing it with the world.
Nataliia Kalinichenko, a craftswoman and participant of the event is the creator of the «Little Luxury brand». She creates Ukrainian-style jewelry with micro-embroidery elements, where the stitch length is less than 1 mm. Natalia also creates traditional cross-stitch accessories and beaded jewelry. Natalia was one of the first to make embroidery on the project map.
Inessa Dolenyk read her poetry at the event. She is a poet, translator, and winner of international awards. Her poems have been translated into several languages. She actively documents the testimonies of eyewitnesses of the war in Ukraine and is a co-author of the book «Stories of the Strong», which was published in December 2023. One of the poems Inesa read was dedicated to Krakow. In it, she expresses her appreciation to the city and its residents.
Inessa shared her impressions of the event with us.
«I really liked the photo exhibition «Invisible Weapon’, the songs of Jordana Dranchuk, and the talented craftswomen. I took part in a master class on embroidery on hemp canvas. It was very interesting. And quite difficult.
I met Olha, the project organizer, at a literary evening in 2022. We have been friends since then. When she invited me to participate in the event, I didn’t hesitate for a minute. This is a very good initiative that unites. It is also a manifestation of our gratitude. In general, everything that unites people is good: creativity, culture, common cause».
Olena Oliynyk, a poet, performed her own poetry at the event. Besides being the author of poetry collections, Olena holds poetry readings, meetings with Ukrainian and Polish writers, poets, and volunteers. She is a resident of the Polish Institute of Literature and the Polish Book Institute. Olena shared that projects like Patterns of Neighborliness inspire her.
«We are really not alone. You can feel it. We need to gather, meet, and unite. Such projects are very important. They unite not only Ukrainians, but also Ukrainians with Poles».
Why are such projects important?
We talked to Olga Tkachuk, co-founder of the Krakow-based organization «Mission-U» and initiator of the «Patterns of Neighborliness project». Before the Russian aggression, she lived in Ukraine and was an activist for almost 30 years. Olha says that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they saw their mission as «adding the voice of Ukraine» in Poland through culture. Now the foundation is expanding and is becoming more active in Krakow.
«Our foundation is committed to sustainable development. This is a very broad understanding that combines culture, art, education, ecology, etc. It’s about ensuring the stable well-being of every community resident. People living in a certain community should not expect that everything will be done for them. They should take their lives into their own hands and work for their own and the community’s well-being.
Ukrainians are in a very difficult situation right now. But on the other hand, it can be a chance and open up opportunities. That’s why we are focused on finding resources and using them in the new place as much as possible. And also to cooperate with foundations, charitable initiatives, and non-governmental organizations. I think the best and most beautiful way to integrate, learn and unite is through culture. We need to develop what unites us, and complement and enrich what makes us different. That’s why we created this project. It is aimed at uniting».
You can also read this article in Ukrainian
This publication was prepared with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the editors of UAinKrakow.pl and can in no way be considered to reflect the views of UNHCR. For more information about UNHCR and the aid available in Poland: https://help.unhcr.org/poland/uk/
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