Halunky, krapanky, shkriabanky, malovanky, and pysanky… We preserve and multiply the traditions of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers by decorating chicken eggs for Easter to place them in the festive basket.

On April 16, leading research fellows Tetiana Nykyrsa and Kateryna Valiavska visited the pre-Easter fair at Chernivtsi school "Astor" to conduct a master class "Bukovynian Pysanka".

At the beginning of the workshop, Tetiana Nykyrsa spoke about the origins of the pysanka tradition, the specifics of pattern and colour symbolism, demonstrating pysanky from the Chernivtsi Regional Museum's collections that were gathered from various corners of Bukovyna.

The students joined the magical world of pysanka making. Using wax, candle flame, a pysachok (stylus) and dyes, they created pysanky with unique patterns. Some adhered to ancient patterns, while others added their own modern touches — each pysanka turned out unique.

According to ancient Ukrainian custom, a pysanka can be given to relatives and friends on Easter with wishes for health and well-being.

Photos – Kateryna Valiavska.