On the eve of Easter, New York reminded of the strength of Ukrainian tradition and the resilience of children of war through the installation “Pysanka – a symbol of hope” and a special “Victory Easter Egg”, created in Kyiv during a full-scale war. The Easter symbol, born to the sounds of sirens, became a message to the world about the indomitability of Ukrainians, faith in peace and the inevitable Victory.
This was reported by the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations.
The message emphasizes that Easter for Ukrainians today has a special meaning – as a holiday of spiritual renewal, the victory of life over death, light over darkness and faith in the future victory of Ukraine.
“During the days of Easter, we especially feel the power of faith, which unites us and gives us the strength not to give up. Today, the Ukrainian people are going through great trials, but, like the light of the Resurrection, the victory of truth is inevitable. The Easter egg – one of the deepest symbols of our culture – today speaks to the world with the voice of our children, their faith, their hope. May this Easter bring peace to Ukraine, strengthen our unity and bring closer the day of our Victory,” said Yaroslava Khortyani, head of the Ukrainian Children’s Union of Ukrainian Youth.
The central image of this Easter story was the “Victory Egg” – a unique artifact created by Ukrainian children who are experiencing the experience of war. It was painted on an ostrich egg during a master class in Kyiv with the participation of artists, TV presenters and athletes.
The Easter egg was created on Easter days to the piercing sounds of the air raid siren with the participation of artists, TV presenters and athletes by Ukrainian children who are experiencing the experience of war, but with great faith in peace. That is why it has become not just a work of art, but a testament to the strength of spirit of the children of war, a symbol of resilience, hope and indomitability.
The SFUJO emphasizes that the “Victory Egg” combines ancient Ukrainian tradition with the modern experience of struggle and restoration. It carries a message to the world about the power of culture, memory and faith in the fact that Ukraine will stand.
In 2025, Yaryna Vitrovych and her son Yurko brought the “Victory Egg” from Ukraine to New York, where it became part of the installation. And on March 9, 2026, it was visited by guests from Ukraine during an event organized by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN at the Ukrainian Institute of America.
The installation “Pysanka – a Symbol of Hope” was initiated several years ago by Sofiyka Zielyk, Head of the Reference Office of the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health for Cultural Affairs. Its goal is to return all pysankas to Ukraine after the end of the war.
A special symbolism of this initiative is that all pysankas donated for the installation should go to the regions of Ukraine that suffered from the war. There they will become part of ancient ritual practices that Ukrainians have performed for centuries.
We are talking about deep traditional rituals – pysankas were placed in beehives, buried in the ground, and placed on graves. Now these actions will have a new meaning: not a call for spring renewal, but a revival of the nation from the ashes of war.
In cooperation with the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations and the Ukrainian Institute of America, this initiative is designed to directly demonstrate to Ukrainians the support of the international community and remind them that they are not alone.
“Four years ago, I conceived the installation “Pysanka: Symbol of Hope.” What began as a small act of cultural diplomacy and resistance has turned into a lifelong honor.
As a curator, it has been an honor to unwrap each donated pysanka—made with love and inventively packaged; an honor to read the profound and heartfelt notes and letters from people of all backgrounds and walks of life; an honor to witness the birth of a new direction in the tradition of pysanka making, which I call “military pysankas.”
The first three pysankas, which arrived from Quebec, Canada, in March 2022, have now been joined by more than a thousand others from 18 different countries—and they continue to arrive.
This living, ever-changing installation will exist until the day Ukraine celebrates a just Victory. And then, in keeping with their symbolic meaning of rebirth, the pysankas will return to their ancestral homeland – to Ukraine, which will rise from the ashes of war,” – said Sofiyka Zielyk.
Photo: SFZHO, Sofiyka Zielyk
Author: Inna Mikhno