USUST celebrated the 20th anniversary of World Vyshyvanka Day
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Vyshyvanka Day, the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies held a series of creative, cultural, and educational events involving students, academic staff, employees, and guests of the university. The programme combined Ukrainian traditions, national memory, and a contemporary vision of Ukrainian culture.
On 20 May 2026, on the eve of the holiday, the Museum of History of the SEI ‘USUCT’ hosted the thematic photo project ‘Between the past and the present’, featuring female student guides of the museum.
The photo shoot took place in the museum hall among historical exhibits, as well as in the art space and inner courtyard of the SEI ‘USUCT’. The authors of the project deliberately moved away from stylised historical images, instead focusing on a modern student interpretation of Ukrainian traditions, authenticity, and sincerity.
The Sciwntific library of the SEI “DIIT’ USUST also joined the celebration. Near the book exhibition ‘Works bu USUST scholars’, library staff wearing vyshyvankas, created a symbolic space of unity, gratitude, and support for Ukrainian traditions.
Students, academic staff, and employees of the SEI ‘Prydniprovska State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports’ of USUST also actively joined the university-wide celebration of Vyshyvanka Day and took part in a thematic flash mob dedicated to the 20th anniversary of World Vyshyvanka Day. Among the participants were:
- Oksana Demidova, Associate Professor at the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education. Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education;
- Hanna Khodko, senior specialist of the Directorate of the institute;
- Nataliia Sukhoivan, artistic director of the Centre for Creative Student Initiatives of the institute and senior specialist of the USUST Student Development Department;
- Olena Omelchenko, head of the Department of Water Sports, Associate Professor.
Among the flash mob participants was Daniela Chebatarova, a student of the SEI ‘PSAPCS’, group FKS-23-1B. She is a Master of Sports of Ukraine in rhythmic gymnastics, a 12-time silver and bronze medallist of Ukrainian Cups and Championships, a champion and silver medallist of international competitions, and a participant and prize-winner of the 2025 World University Games.
The festive initiative was also joined by students Kateryna Yeletska (gr. FB/017-23-3B), Polina Savchenko (gr. FP-І7-25-2B), master’s student Oksana Kaidash (gr. FV/А7-25-М), іtudents of groups FV/014-24-1B and FKS/A7-25-2B, together with their academic mentor Olha Kusovska, senior lecturer at the Department of Boxing, Wrestling and Weightlifting; second- and fourth-year students of group 014-22-2b and a master’s student of the Faculty of Physical Education, as well as other representatives of the institute’s student community also joined the initiative.
On 21 May 2026, the celebrations continued at the SEI ‘Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture’, USUST. The event was organised by Larysa Kotova, specialist of the USUST Student Development Department.
Symbolically, the concert programme and the ‘Yednaimos!’ flash mob took place near the mural of Taras Shevchenko and the building of the academy damaged by a Russian missile strike. This location served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of Ukrainian education, culture, and the university community.
The participants were welcomed by Professor Vladyslav Danishevskyi, director of the SEI ‘PSACEA’. He emphasised that today the Ukrainian vyshyvanka is not only a traditional garment, but also a symbol of resilience, national memory, and the unity of the Ukrainian people.
The concert programme featured performances by Diana Shmakova, a student of the USUST Scientific Lyceum of Digital Technologies and Design, who presented the dance performance ‘Jeleos’, as well as Lada and Dana Krylovetski, graduates of the Faculty of Information Technologies and Mechanical Engineering, together with other musical performers.
During the event, the participants also learned interesting facts about the history of the Ukrainian vyshyvanka, including the role of Ivan Franko, who was among the first to combine embroidered shirts with modern everyday clothing.
One of the most emotional moments of the celebration was the recitation of the poem ‘Broken Hearts!’ by poet and Associate Professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and Foreign Languages Valentyna Babenko. The poem became an artistic reflection on the experience following the Russian missile strike on the Academy:
‘The walls were destroyed, but our unbreakable faith cannot be shattered!
Despite all hardships, we continue to study, live, and work!
We are invicible because we strive to learn and to teach!
We will overcome everything and rebuild it even better than before!’
We are invicible because we strive to learn and to teach!
We will overcome everything and rebuild it even better than before!’
The event also featured a song based on Valentyna Babenko’s lyrics, with music composed by Valeriia Tkachova, Associate Professor of the Department of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat and Gas Supply.
At the conclusion of the programme, Professor Halyna Yevsieieva, Vice-Rector for Academic, Student and Humanitarian Affairs , encouraged young people to develop a deep understanding of the significance of national traditions and to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
More photos from the festive event at the SEI “PSACEA’ are available at link
On the same day, Vyshyvanka Day celebrations were also held at the SEI ‘Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology’. A concert took place on Fountain Square in front of the main building, bringing together student creativity, poetry, video presentations, contemporary choreography, and a symbolic act of remembrance.
The participants were welcomed by Professor Kostiantyn Sukhyi, rector of USUST, and Professor Olha Sverdlikovska, director of the institute. They congratulated those present and emphasised the importance of such events for students, as they foster respect for traditions, strengthen unity, and preserve the memory of Ukraine’s heroes.
The event featured the video presentation ‘Vyshyvanka Unites Hearts’, which included student and university photographs from different years, highlighting the continuity of traditions and the strength of the university community.
An emotional highlight of the event was a poem performed by student Anastasiia Fitkovska, dedicated to the Ukrainian vyshyvanka and native land. The dance part of the programme was presented by the ‘Euphoria’ ensemble with the composition ‘Flower-soul’, as well as lyceum student Diana Shmakova with the contemporary performance ‘Jellyous Diana’. The celebration was enriched by the song ‘Kalyna’, performed by Mariia Verbytska.
The culmination of the event was USUST’s participation in the nationwide campaign ‘Embroidered ribbon of memory’, dedicated to honouring the fallen defenders of Ukraine. The participants joined separate ribbon fragments into one whole and attached them to the memorial for the fallen USUCT graduates, paying tribute to those who gave their lives for Ukraine.
A separate thematic component of USUST’s university-wide Vyshyvanka Day programme was a series of historical and patriotic online lectures held on 20 and 22 May 2026 as part of the cycle ‘Resilience of the Ukrainian nation: history and present’. The events brought together students, academic group mentors, and university lecturers.
The online lecture ‘Vyshyvanka as a symbol of identity: from ritual clothing to resilience’ was delivered by Larysa Bohuslavska, Associate Professor at the Department of Ukrainian Studies and Foreign Languages of the SEI “PSACEA’, and a specialist of the USUST Student Development Department. During the meetings, the participants discussed the history of the Ukrainian vyshyvanka, the symbolism of its ornaments, and its contemporary significance as a symbol of national unity, historical memory, and cultural resistance under wartime conditions.
The Vyshyvanka Day celebrations at USUST once again demonstrated that Ukrainian culture lives not only in traditions and symbols, but above all in people – in student creativity, university unity, remembrance of one’s roots, and shared faith in the future of Ukraine.