2 minute read
Pysanka Masters Visit Vegreville
Pysanka Masters Visit Vegreville
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Internationally recognized Pysanka Masters Oksana Bilous, Tetiana Konoval, and Anna Kotlina from Ukraine came to Canada as part of a workshop series organized by Ukrainian EggCessories. This organization supports a large and active community of pysanka artists across the country. But another big reason these artists came to Canada was to have their dream to see the iconic World’s Largest Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) at the Pysanka Park (Vegreville Elks/Kinsmean Park).
This came true when Larissa and Ivan Bombak gave these artists a tour of the park on July 23.
On what they thought of the gigantic egg, Tetiana expressed that she was ecstatic and thrilled, she couldn’t take enough pictures of it, and she has written a book that will include information about the pysanka.
Anna exclaimed that it was amazing and bigger than she thought it would be.
Oksana shared that it was very impressive! “Wherever Ukrainians are, they have pysanka as their symbol. The form of the egg is a symbol of the earth, the universe, the aura of the human being, and also birth, death, and rebirth (eternal life).
Their biography cites that Oksana Bilous is known for her mastery in both traditional and innovative egg decorating techniques, including etching, cutting, and mixed methods on various bird eggs.
Tetiana creates traditional pysanky on chicken, goose, and ostrich eggs, using ancient pysanka ornaments from different regions; she also develops original designs inspired by Slobozhanshchyna motifs.
Anna organized a team and together they set the Record of Ukraine ‘The Largest number of Pysanky painted with hot wax on Hoverla’, in total, they managed to write 43 Easter eggs. Among them are Pysanky from every region of Ukraine.
These Pysanka Masters received a Welcome Package from Vegreville Cultural Association, Town of Vegreville, and Vegreville and District Chamber of Commerce.
