PYSANKY – Ukrainian Easter Eggs - Part II by Lubow Wolynetz, Curator the Traditional Art of the Pysanky Were Still Being Written
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TThhee UUkkrraaiinniiaann MMuusseeuumm aanndd LLiibbrraarryy ooff SSttaammffoorrdd PYSANKY – Ukrainian Easter Eggs - Part II by Lubow Wolynetz, Curator The traditional art of the pysanky were still being written. When there Myron Surmach took it upon himself to pro- round. Ukrainian pysanka which originated in were few, the monster’s chains would loosen, duce all of the necessary materials. His children Today we have many pysanka artisans antiquity and which has been cultivated and evil would flow throughout the world. continued his work, especially, his daughter in America. Much information has been in Ukraine for centuries has achieved When there were many, the monster’s chains Yaroslava, a noted artist. She did extensive re- printed and tools have been refined. In global interest and popularity. This unique would hold taut, allow- search on the pysanka and pub- Ukraine during the Soviet days pysankatra- form of art is practiced both within and ing love and friendship lished much-needed information ditions were not only frowned upon but in beyond the Ukrainian community. to subdue evil. in English. some areas strictly forbidden. When This ancient Ukrainian custom which The custom of writ- One of the earliest notices Ukraine became independent in 1991, originated as an important element of the ing pysanky was about the pysanka which ap- pysanka artisans from the United States and pre-Christian beliefs associated with the brought to the United peared in the American Press, Canada went to Ukraine, exhibited their cult of the sun and rebirth eventually be- States by Ukrainian im- came as a result of pure coinci- pysanka collections, and thus helped to re- came a part of Easter traditions. Ukraini- migrants. Their visible dence. In March of 1948, H. discover, revive and restore an ancient tradi- ans kept pysanky in their homes, placed adherence to this tradi- Ross, the then editor of The New tion that had almost been obliterated by the new ones each year in their Easter basket tion stirred interest Yorker, came down to East 7th totalitarian Soviet regime. to be blessed, and gave them as gifts to among Americans al- Street to do an interview at Mc- Ukrainian pysankais now known family members and friends. The Hutsuls ready in the early 1920s. Sorley’s Irish Pub, which is al- and admired throughout the world. And even had a tradition of making doves out It all began at a Ukrain- most next door to the Surma what is more – of all the cultural achieve- of pysanky. From colored paper they ian book store on 7th Book and Music Co. He brought ments of the Ukrainian people (many for would attach wings, a tail, and a beak and Street, the Surma Book his wife along, forgetting that, in which Ukrainians are not given credit, be- would then hang them in their homes and Music Co. whose those days, women were not al- cause these achievements have been near the icons to commemorate a belief proprietor, Myron Sur- lowed in the Pub. So, his wife, usurped and designated as belonging to that when Jesus was born, a dove was other nationalities) thepysanka has hovering above Him. always been designated as Ukrain- Ancient man in attempting to under- ian, permanently and rightfully so. stand creation, developed myths in which In one Ukrainian Chris- the egg was perceived as the prime source tian legend about the pysanka we of life, rebirth, the sun, and the universe. read that: Similar myths were found in many cul- “…While pleading before Pilate tures of the world. In ancient Ukrainian for her son Jesus, she fainted and fell beliefs, when secret symbolic signs were to the floor. The pysanky, beautifully written on the egg in a prescribed manner decorated eggs which she had and in various colors, the egg would then brought for Pilate as a gift, rolled out acquire magical powers; it became a tal- of her basket down the floor and isman, able to protect from evil, bring throughout the world…” Similary, good fortune, ensure prosperity and fer- mach, placed somepysanky, which he had re- seeing the quaint Surma store, said that she to a large degree through the efforts and tility. The egg thus became a pysanka. ceived on consignment from a Hutsul, in his would wait for him there. What a surprise H. work of the pysankaartisans of the Ukrain- According to an ancient display window. Almost immediately all the Ross had when he later entered the store to meet ian Diaspora, our pysanka keeps rolling Ukrainian legend, there was a belief that pysankywere sold. The following year the same his wife! She was by then engrossed in all the throughout the whole world. It has capti- the fate of the world depended upon Hutsul, H.V. Skrobotiuk, prior to the Easter Hol- charms and magic of the pysanka! Right then vated and gained the interest, attention, and pysanky. As long as pysanky writing con- idays, rented space in front of the store’s display and there, he did an interview with Surma’s admiration of many. And who knows, per- tinued, the world would exist. Should the window, sat there for hours and days demon- owner and learned all about Ukrainian tradi- haps to some degree it is instrumental in custom cease, evil in the guise of an an- strating the art of the pysanka, and offering them tions, especially those dealing with the pysanka. holding back evil and preserving goodness cient, vicious monster chained to a huge for sale. Hundreds pysanky were sold for 35 The next issue of The New Yorkerhad a write- and friendship! cliff, would encompass the world and de- cents each. From such simple beginnings, fas- up about this visit. From then on, the doors to stroy it. Each year the monster’s servants cination and popularity of this craft widened. A Surma never seemed to close, and the pysanka would encircle the globe, checking if demand for instructions, tools and dyes grew. was in demand not only at Easter time but year- EExxppllooree aanndd EExxppeerriiennccee OOuurr PPaasstt SOWER MARCH 31,, 2013.