The Ukrainian pysanka (decorated Easter egg) has been officially recognized as a cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. This achievement was made possible by the joint nomination submitted by Ukraine and Estonia.
Work on the nomination began in 2017 following a meeting with the Ukrainian diaspora in Estonia. The basis for the nomination includes three key elements. Two of them are part of Ukraine’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: “Ukrainian Pysanka: Tradition and Art,” which unites communities from all regions of Ukraine, and the “Hutsul Pysanka Tradition.” The third element, “Ukrainian Pysanka, the Tradition and Art of Decorating Easter Eggs,” is included in Estonia’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Ukrainian pysanka has become the fourth element representing Ukraine in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition to the pysanka, Ukraine is also represented by Petrykivka painting, Kosiv painted ceramics, and the Crimean Tatar ornamental art of orniek.
