The “Preserved Heritage” photo project is another fascinating idea that the “Around Us. UA” NGO is launching on the Day of Vyshyvanka (Traditional Embroidered Shirt Day). The photo project’s idea is aimed at drawing attention to the fact that it is extremely important to preserve and pass on the family heritage to the next generation in all its manifestations. These include, for example, family stories, photographs, documents, clothing designs, household items, and other relics. What should be cultivated in children from an early age is respect and interest in family traditions, local history and the history of their country.
Many Ukrainian families have at least one thing or item related to their country’s history. If nothing material has been preserved, even a seemingly insignificant story about the family’s past is important for preserving historical memory. After all, we must realize that each of us is the bridge from the past to the future that unites the memory of generations and makes us stronger and more invulnerable to external propaganda and the imposition of an inferiority complex! And we should not forget that the goal of propaganda is to weaken national unity and self-confidence.
To mark the Day of Vyshyvanka, we offer you the first drafts of the project’s photographs, which recreate the tradition of folk costumes and everyday life that was common to our ancestors many decades ago.
According to our initial idea, the people in the photos should not be random models. Everyone is involved in the preservation of cultural heritage and its popularization at their own level. The outfits that we focus on feature items from the preserved family heritage.
During photo shoots, project participants would be asked: “What does preserved family heritage mean to you?” And we will keep the answers posted on the first photo of every dedicated publication.
In the photos: Oksana Humeniuk, Andrii Humeniuk, Levko Humeniuk.
Quotations in the photo:
Preserved family heritage is
“…a continuation of the traditions of your own identity”
Andrii Humeniuk
“…an inspiration, a sense of pride in belonging
to an ancient tradition”
Oksana Humeniuk
Garments: women’s shirt from the family collection of Oksana Humeniuk (Yasnozirya village, Cherkasy district), zapaska (apron) and men’s shirt from the family collection of Kateryna Robak (Mysaylivka village, Obukhiv district), baby shirt made by Kateryna Zamnius based on old patterns, men’s svyta from the private collection of the Zabasht family (Deshky village; Obukhiv district), men’s pants and belt belong to Yurii Yezhel (Kyiv), other elements of the image are part of the collection of the “Around Us.UA” NGO.
Location: The Museum of the History of Bohuslav Region.
Photographer: Vitalii Nishchymenko.
