On Easter, Shevchenkivskyi Hai in Lviv became a meeting place for thousands who appreciate Ukrainian traditions. Over the two Easter days, 12th and 13th April, the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life named after K. Sheptytskyi was visited by 24,000 guests, raising over 750,000 hryvnias for the Ukrainian military.
Easter festivities took place in the open air: people in traditional Ukrainian attire danced and sang. At the centre of attention was a woman and a boy dancing with a veteran in a wheelchair. In the background, an ancient wooden church was visible.
According to the museum director, during the full-scale war, interest in Ukrainian culture and identity is only growing. “Easter dances are traditional dances near churches, which have been held in our museum for decades. Each year this tradition has grown in scale, and after the start of the full-scale invasion, interest in our own culture has only increased,” noted Mykhailo Zakopets.
The festive programme included Easter dances for children, performances by folk groups and artists, an Easter liturgy in the church from the village of Kryvka, traditional games involving youth communities, Easter dances for the community of defenders undergoing rehabilitation in Lviv, as well as several thematic exhibitions. During the festivities, funds were raised for three major charity collections — for the 80th Air Assault Brigade, the 425th Separate Battalion of the Radio-Technical Troops, and the 15th Artillery Brigade “Chornyi Lis”.
Musical accompaniment was provided by folk groups “YARY”, Banduragirl, ETERIYA, Ulyana Horbachevska and Kolo Rayu, “Draga” and “Dryg”.
Source: Lviv City Council