What the gifts Tsikhanouskaya gave to Zelenskyy and his wife symbolize
Among the gifts are a vyshyvanka, distinctive earrings, and a kit for creating a traditional straw spider.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave gifts to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena, related to Belarusian and Ukrainian tradition.
Zelenskyy was presented with a Belarusian vyshyvanka, created by the craftswoman Sviatlana Shirvel. One of this craftswoman's vyshyvankas, for example, is owned by Lech Wałęsa, the legendary leader of Polish "Solidarity".
"This shirt is made using the "protiah" technique — one of the most authentic Belarusian embroidery techniques. Unlike more common techniques, such as "kryzhyk" (cross-stitch), which can be found in various countries, "protiah" is considered a distinctly Belarusian cultural feature. It is precisely by this technique that the Belarusian origin of the embroidery is traditionally "read"", — Dzenis Kuchynski, Tsikhanouskaya's advisor, explained further.
Red ornament on a black background — is also a Belarusian tradition.
"The central element of the shirt's ornament is an eight-pointed star. This symbol has historical roots in both Belarusian and Ukrainian culture and is traditionally associated with the sun, life, light, and serves as an amulet.
Also present in the ornament is viburnum (kalyna) — one of the key Ukrainian symbols. In traditional Ukrainian culture, it embodies ancestry, generational continuity, the family hearth, strength, and love. The word "kalyna" itself is etymologically linked to "kolo" (circle) — the sun, which further emphasizes the idea of life and the connection between generations", — Kuchynski describes.
The second gift for the President of Ukraine was an item made by the hands of children and educators from the Belarusian-Ukrainian school in Warsaw, which operates under the Belarusian Solidarity Center. This school educates children of former Belarusian political prisoners, as well as Belarusian and Ukrainian children whose families were forced to leave their homes due to repression and war.
The First Lady of Ukraine was presented with earrings featuring the image of a straw "spider" — a traditional amulet. In folk tradition, the spider is considered a symbol of harmony, home protection, and well-being. The earrings are made of brass with gold plating.
Their designer — is Belarusian designer Nasta Vasiuchenka, founder of the Kanva brand.
The Zelenskyy family was also presented with a family kit for creating straw "spiders". "The idea behind this gift is for the husband and wife to be able to create a home amulet together as a sign of strengthening family, home, and mutual support", — Tsikhanouskaya's advisor explains.
They also presented a book by Sasha Filipenko, "Elephant". The writer himself was part of the delegation that arrived in Ukraine with Tsikhanouskaya.
Kuchynski adds that the gifts from the Belarusian delegation symbolize the common historical experience of Belarusians and Ukrainians, respect for tradition, and solidarity between the peoples.
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Дзіўна, што не златкоўскую і не рагатку.