Every year, on the third Thursday of May, Ukrainians in different parts of the world join the celebration of World Vyshyvanka Day – a holiday that has become a symbol of national unity, the preservation of Ukrainian traditions, and the spiritual connection between generations. In 2026, Vyshyvanka Day falls on 21 May and is commemorative, as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the celebration.

In 2026, the main theme of World Vyshyvanka Day is the cultural heritage of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk, Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions. A separate symbol of this year’s celebration is a new initiative – the “Embroidered Ribbon of Remembrance”, launched to honour the defenders of Ukraine who gave their lives for the independence and freedom of our state.

It is symbolic that Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated on a working day, as the embroidered shirt has long been an integral part of the everyday life of Ukrainians. The vyshyvanka is not only traditional clothing, but also a living code of the nation, embodying the history, memory, spirituality, and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people. The remarkable palette of colours, the diversity of ornaments, regional characteristics, and contemporary interpretations of Ukrainian embroidery demonstrate the richness and uniqueness of the Ukrainian cultural tradition.

The team of the SSI “Institute of Educational Analytics” also joined the celebration of World Vyshyvanka Day, supporting the tradition of unity around Ukrainian culture, historical memory, and shared values. Under today’s challenges, the vyshyvanka continues to unite people, foster national consciousness, and remind us of the strength of our national identity.

On this day, we express our sincere gratitude to the defenders of Ukraine for the opportunity to live, work, and preserve Ukrainian culture.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!