Students participate in pysanka workshop led virtually from Kyiv

On April 14, Dartmouth students from EEER 39 Wonder Works from Ukraine gathered for a pysanka-making workshop led by faculty and students from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The word pysanka is derived from the Ukrainian pysaty, meaning "to write." This ancient Ukrainian folk art uses eggs as a canvas to symbolize beliefs and worldviews. Joining live over Zoom, the Ukrainian instructors demonstrated the techniques of wax-resist egg decorating, while students followed along in real time. With materials prepared by Rev. Nancy Vogel and support from Shannon Wallis Designs and the Tucker Center, participants were able to create their own pysankas during a single class period.

From students' reflections on the workshop:

Never before had I known it was possible to dye eggs in the complex ways we did in our workshop, and I even worried I would be incredibly bad at it. When we melted off all of the wax in the end, I was ecstatic that mine turned out exactly how I had hoped.

At one point, the Ukrainian students mentioned that we should not be alarmed if they have to go to a bomb shelter during the workshop. Even amidst a dangerous and frightening situation, their passion to make pysankas and guide us along the process showed me the cultural solidarity of Ukrainians. Despite the fact that they have been brutally invaded by a foreign country, their voices remain strong. They have high spirits, and I admire their utter optimism.

In the end, this workshop was so much more than I expected. It helped me slow down, reflect, and connect — to a tradition, to other people, and to myself. And I think that human connection — even over Zoom — is what made the experience feel sacred.