Pictures: Ukrainians have a good time their Independence Day by working in vyshyvankas

Viktoriia Verbeniuk, a Ukrainian American, poses for a portrait throughout an occasion celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 2024.

Michael A. McCoy for NPR

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Michael A. McCoy for NPR

Whether or not your loved ones’s conventional costume is a Mexican huipil, an Indian saree, or a Scottish kilt, the place do you often put on these garments?

In Ukraine, the normal apparel is a vyshyvanka. Sometimes product of cotton or linen, these shirts function embroidered patterns alongside the entrance, collar and sleeves.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started, Anzhela Prygozhyna has worn her conventional blue-and-yellow vyshyvanka virtually each different day, together with this previous Saturday, when she went for a run alongside the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

She was joined by dozens of others from the Ukrainian diaspora to have a good time Ukraine’s thirty third Independence Day—a day that marks 33 years since Ukraine cut up from the previous Soviet Union. This comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its third 12 months.

“We are here, all dressed up in our vyshyvankas, to show people that the war continues,” mentioned runner Roman Kachur. “Ukraine is suffering.”

Andriy Smolensky, a Ukrainian soldier who was wounded in southern Ukraine final 12 months, got here to the occasion together with his spouse, Alina. Though he’s the runner of the 2, this was his first vyshyvanka run.

“When we heard about it, we immediately grabbed our vyshyvankas from our backpack,” Andriy mentioned, laughing. “That’s something every Ukrainian has in their backpack. I’m kidding, but the point is, we really just want to support the movement, and we like to run.”

Andriy simply obtained his first week of therapy at Walter Reed Hospital.

“We’re actually grateful that the American nation supported our nation,” he said.

The vyshyvanka run raised funds for United Help Ukraine, with proceeds going to humanitarian aid, medical care, and mental health services for the Ukrainian people.

Members of the Ukrainian community celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Members of the Ukrainian neighborhood have a good time Ukraine’s Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Michael A. McCoy for NPR

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Michael A. McCoy for NPR

Members of the Ukrainian community prepare for a morning race to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Members of the Ukrainian neighborhood put together for a morning race to have a good time Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Michael A. McCoy for NPR

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Michael A. McCoy for NPR