Yulia Svyrydenko joins unifying pysanka painting masterclass at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

On the eve of Easter, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko took part in a unifying pysanka workshop held in a sacred place – the Refectory of Saint Sophia of Kyiv.

“I am grateful to everyone who found the time to join – defenders, veterans, rescuers, energy and utility workers, public figures, foster parents with children who were forced to leave their homes due to the enemy’s actions. All are different, yet what each of them does every day in their place sustains our country. Just like the traditions of the Ukrainian people, which we preserve and carry forward,” the Prime Minister noted.

The art of decorating pysanky has long been steeped in tradition and symbolism. It is a process through which one’s innermost thoughts can be expressed in wax patterns. At the same time, Ukrainians are united by a shared desire for victory and peace. This workshop is about collective action and shared values that bind and unite.

Yulia Svyrydenko also thanked Oksana Tsybukh, who demonstrated the beauty of creating the main symbol of Easter. Together, participants recreated the pattern of one of the pysanky rescued from the Bakhmut People’s House in 2022 – a testament to the strength of symbols that the enemy cannot destroy.

It should be added that Oksana Tsybukh raised an extraordinary, bright and strong daughter – Iryna Tsybukh, a paramedic, defender and civic activist. Iryna was killed two years ago in Kharkiv region while evacuating the wounded. Yet she remains with us every day as we continue her work, observe moments of silence, foster a culture of remembrance and uphold our Ukrainian traditions.

“Easter is the triumph of light over darkness. And this victory will surely come for all of us,” Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised.