Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Traditional Crafts Exhibition & Talk Event

International Association of Chigasaki (IAC) will hold a charity event, inviting Ms. Tetyana Solotska, a traditional Ukrainian craftswoman, and her family. There will be an exhibit of Ukrainian Easter eggs “Pysanky” and embroidery, as well as photographs of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In between the exhibit, Ms. Solotska will demonstrate how to make Pysanky, and her family will give a talk session about Ukrainian culture, history, and current situation.

Date and Time: October 16, 2022 (Sun.)
Place: Chigasaki Civic Hall 1F Exhibition Room

Exhibition: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (free to come and go)
About 300 Pysanky, 30 embroidered works, and 100 photographs

　(1) 10:30 a.m. -11:00a.m.  (2) 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

　(1) 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (2)3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  (including Q&A session)

　　Capacity of 80 people for each session

　*Pre-registration is required for Talk Session only.

　Please click here for application and inquiry. (Registration starts on August 25)

　**The talk will be given in Japanese only.

This event is a charity event to support the people of Ukraine who are facing a crisis due to the Russian military invasion.

A donation box will be set up at the venue. All donations will be given to “Japanese-Ukrainian association of friendship Kraiany (NPO Kraiany)” and will be used for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

We are looking forward to your participation and warm support.

 

Organized by:  International Association of Chigasaki

Cooperated by: Stand With Ukraine Japan

Supported by: Chigasaki City, Soroptimist International of Chigasaki, Japanese-Ukrainian association of friendship Kraiany (NPO Kraiany)

==Exhibit Contents==
Pysanky
Pysanky is a traditional Ukrainian craft in which eggshells are colorfully dyed with exquisite patterns using the wax-dyeing technique. Each pattern has a symbolic meaning. The “tree of life” = family ties, health, spiritual growth, “waves” = eternal life force, “birds” = happiness, etc. They have been made in Ukraine for more than 1,000 years and used as “good luck charms” in various aspects of life. In addition to Ms. Solotska’s works, the exhibition will also include works by Japanese artists who supported the project.

Embroidery & Motanka
Ukrainian embroidery is characterized by its beauty not only on the front but also on the back. The patterns and techniques differ from region to region. Embroidery is applied to the national costume called “Vyshyvanka” to protect the wearer from illness and misfortune.
Motanka is a Ukrainian doll that is made by wrapping thread around a piece of cloth without using a needle. The face is tied in a cross and the doll has no eyes.
The embroidery and motanka on display are the work of Iryna Vetrova and her students.

Photographs of Ukraine
More than 100 photographs depicting the current situation in Ukraine will be on display, including the changes in the city before and after the Russian invasion, and the lives of the people who have been changed by the attack.

== Tetyana Solotska’s Profile ==
Tetyana Solotska was born in Kiev under the rule of the former Soviet Union, came to Japan in 2000, and lives with her Ukrainian family in Kawasaki. After Ukraine’s independence in 1991, she learned about Ukrainian culture, which had been banned until then, and taught herself how to make Pysanky, and has been holding Pysanky classes for about 10 years. After the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, she has sent the proceeds from her classrooms to Ukraine as a donation.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of this year, she joined the volunteer support group “Stand With Ukraine Japan”. Hoping that the “amulet” Pysanky would protect the people of Ukraine, she and her family and friends have organized charity exhibitions of Pysanky, and have held exhibitions in Kodaira, Shinagawa, Higashiyamato, Kawasaki, Urawa, and Yokohama.

== About “Stand With Ukraine Japan” ==
“Stand With Ukraine Japan” is a volunteer organization of Ukrainians living in Japan.
They organize various humanitarian aid activities in Japan for Ukraine people, calling participation through social networking services.
See details on their Website https://linktr.ee/swujapan

== About the donation recipients ==
“Japanese-Ukrainian association of friendship Kraiany” 
Ukrainian community in Japan “Kraiany” was founded in 2000. From April 2021 organization officially registered as NPO “Japanese-Ukrainian association of friendship Kraiany” (NPO Kraiany).

The work of the NPO Kraiany is aimed at expanding international cooperation between Japan and Ukraine in the fields of culture, arts and education. NPO Kraiany cooperates with organizations that promote international cultural ties and strengthen partnerships between our countries.
After the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, they started accepting donations. Working closely with volunteers and NGOs in Ukraine and deliver donations directly to people in Ukraine. Funds are used to procure food, medicine, medical equipment, generators and fuel for transportation.

The total amount of donations collected and how they are used are published on the site every few days.
Total donations by end of July amounted to approximately 34 million yen.
See details on their Website  https://www.kraiany.org