Lecture “The Invented Meanings of the Embroidered Shirt” at smART fest | Tallinn

Do we really know what the vyshyvanka means?

The vyshyvanka is one of the strongest symbols of Ukrainian culture. But do we really understand its true history?

At smART fest 2026 we will have the chance to talk openly – to understand where romanticism ends and real tradition begins.

As a nation we have been through a great deal. And today we often have to gather knowledge literally from fragments.

And often we fill those gaps ourselves – creating meanings that sound beautiful… but are not always true.

Lecture: “The Invented Meanings of the Embroidered Shirt”

Speaker – Nataliia Chernikova

At the lecture we will:

• take a critical look at the vyshyvanka
• examine the most common myths
• try to get closer to its true meaning

No inventions – but with depth and respect for tradition 

Date: 24 May 2026

Venue: Kultuurikatel, Tallinn

Tickets are already on sale: fienta.com

The project is implemented by drUzi.ee Ukraina meedia Druzi and the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia with the support of the City of Tallinn, the Integration Foundation and the Ministry of Culture.