ASSINIBOIA — Assiniboia residents had the opportunity to experience a cultural journey with their newest family who fled the Ukraine and are now residents of the community.
The family's frightful tale of fleeing their home country after the Russian invasion, a story that was outlined in the Assiniboia Times in the Nov. 25, 2022 issue., outlines the family’s history before they relocated to the southern Saskatchewan community.
Roman Korzhynskyy and Ivanna Korzhynska, along with daughters Vira and Liliaa and son Uarema say that Assiniboia, under leadership of Marc Topola, welcomed them with open arms.
“My family has found a new home in Assiniboia and we have received tremendous support from residents, and are very grateful for everyone.”
Since Marc first met them at the Regina Airport, Ivanna says that Mark and Paul Topola and Lienne Pituley and their families became like family to them and their children. The show of support in the form of food, clothes, treats and gifts for the children assured them they were not alone and helped them adapt to their new community, province and country.
Korzhynska said the idea of a Ukrainian Easter egg teaching session at Shurniak Gallery came about by chance
“To be honest, I thought it would be a quiet evening with friends and when I heard the offer to hold a class for Assiniboia residents, I couldn’t refuse.”
Korzhynska said the thing she misses most is Ukrainian culture, because, “Ukraine is not only pierogies and vyshyvanka, it is a huge number of traditions and customs, and it becomes the most difficult just before Christmas and Easter time.”
The city the family lived in, Kolomyia, includes the world’s largest Pysanka, Easter eggs, museum. Easter egg is a sign of rebirth of all living things, an awakening.
“Each Pysanka has its own ornament with its own meaning, you can write an Easter egg for a happy fate for the newlyweds, for a happy journey, for a good harvest, or as a thank you for friendship. Pysanka art is a very exciting process, my Baba once said that the world changes during the time you are writing a pysanka. When you are in harmony with your inner world, only then will the Easter egg come out. This is an extremely interesting process, it is especially interesting to watch when several people write the same ornament, but everyone has their own unique Pysanka,” adds Korzhynska.
While initially worried that the session may not be as successful as hoped for, Korzhynska says the event would off perfectly.
“At first glance, it seems that writing a Pysanka is easy, but in reality, it is hard work. We held two classes, in the morning for adults, where there were 11 participants, and in the afternoon for children, where 11 children also came. Imagine that there were even a 6-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl and they turned out wonderful Easter eggs. All participants took Easter eggs home.”
Korzhynska said, “If I am offered to hold a similar event again, I will definitely agree. I know that many of the residents of Assiniboia are Ukrainian descendants and they remember Ukrainian traditions, love Ukrainian dishes, I want my children to remember as many traditions as possible and then pass them on to their children.”
“I was very happy to hear that many people remember the Pysanka of their grandmothers or great-grandmothers. At the workshop, all participants performed Easter eggs painted with wax technique with decorative ornaments. The peculiarity of the technique is to preserve the pattern made by the cart when the Easter egg is dipped in paint. It's nice that nowadays you can buy all the necessary materials for egg making and try to create your own unique Pysanka, because I remember how we used to make kitska / pencils for the wax from foil and pencils. “
Ukrainian Easter eggs need to be created in a good mood with good thoughts which will being happiness to your home. The many steps of Pysanka creation were embraced by those in attendance and attendees said they appreciated learning the culture, tradition, creation steps and artistry that was presented at the Shurniak Gallery Easter egg session.
