On Friday, 3 November 2023, Bohuslavshchyna welcomed more than 50 guests – heads of culture departments from different cities of Kyiv region, led by Olena Zavalska, Director of the Kyiv Regional Centre for Folk Art, Cultural and Educational Work. The event was organised by Tetiana Kutsenko, Head of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Bohuslav Town Council.
The “Around Us. UA” NGO and the Bohuslav Volunteer Headquarters joined the presentation of the cultural life of our region at the Centre for the Revival of Tradition, which is located in the weaving workshop of Valentyna Tkach.
Traditional folk crafts of the Bohuslavshchyna were presented by well-known Ukrainian and foreign craftswomen:
- Valentyna Tkach, carpet weaver, volunteer, member of the National Union of Folk Artists of Ukraine.
- Olena Popova, weaver, member of the National Union of Folk Masters of Ukraine, Honoured Master of Folk Art, winner of the badge “For Preservation of Folk Tradition”, founder of the creative workshop “Vytkani Mriyi” (“Woven Dreams”).
- Yaroslava Spasionova, pottery master, member of the National Union of Folk Masters of Ukraine, and teacher of the pottery class at the Bohuslav School of Arts of the Bohuslav City Council of Kyiv Region. Yaroslava Spasionova and Serhii Todorchuk’s students have won awards at numerous international and national folk art competitions.
- Valentyna Mashchenko, weaving master, member of the National Union of Folk Masters of Ukraine.
The guests were impressed by an exciting tour of the existing weaving workshop with a weaving masterclass from Valentyna Tkach, a wonderful pottery masterclass from Yaroslava Spasionova, and an exhibition of exquisite works by Olena Popova and Valentyna Mashchenko.
At the location of the “Around Us. UA” NGO and the Bohuslav Volunteer Headquarters, the guests learned about the activities, projects, and plans of the organisation, in an effort to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Ukraine and Bohuslavshchyna in particular. The video showed footage of historical, cultural and educational charity events, and
ethnographic and local history expeditions organised in the community.
The guests were also interested in the exhibition of traditional local costumes, jewellery, and wedding wreaths restored under the Bohuslavska Kolyada (Bohuslav Carols) and Folk Calendar of Bohuslavshchyna projects of the “Around Us. UA” NGO and the Bohuslav Volunteer Headquarters and local craftswomen, based on old photographs of families from Bohuslavshchyna and materials from the Museum of the History of the Bohuslav Region.
Each guest in attendance received a booklet entitled “Bohuslavska Koliada” (Bohuslav Carols), which tells about the project “Portal through the Centuries. Bohuslav Carols”: the results of the expeditions, recorded carols, shchedrivky, traditions and local ancient cuisine. Guests were also invited to join the “Economy through Culture” training course, where we plan to share our practical experience with other communities in Ukraine.
It was a fantastic opportunity for us to share our experience and communicate with amazing creative people from all over the Kyiv region, those who are committed to the development of culture and tourism in Ukraine. We are grateful to Valentyna Tkach, Olena Zavalska, and Tetiana Kutsenko for inviting us to the event and for their contribution.
We all understand that culture is essential, especially in times of war. Through cultural heritage and the study of traditions, we recognise ourselves as Ukrainians, unite, and learn about the richness of our nation, our roots, and our family. And this gives us strength in the fight against the russian aggressor.
