Vera Storoniak

Irene Fedina, Mary Pidzamecki, Stacey Suessmuth and myself, all members of the Toronto branch of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization (UWO), joined Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) Toronto Librarian Nell Nakoneczny to visit the exhibition of embroidered Ukrainian blouses at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, which is housed in the St Vladimir Institute.

Our guide to the “Sorochka: Seasons of the Year – Seasons of Life” was retired teacher Daria Diakowsky, the Museum’s educational chair. She, along with her mother, Mrs Wyshniowsky, provided us with the educational and cultural background of each fully clothed mannequin and all the beautiful blouses. Mrs Wyshniowsky added to Daria’s commentaries by recounting some of her own personal experiences while still a young child in Ukraine.

“Sorochky” brings together blouses – some made in the late 1800’s – from 13 different regions of Ukraine, including the Hutsul, Bukovyna, Boyko, Stanislav, Yavoriv, Pokuttia, Sokal, Podillya, Volyn, Kholm, Polissia, Kyiv and Poltava regions. Many of them were brought to Canada by Ukrainian pioneers in the early 20th century.

These beautiful shirts are displayed in the context of folk customs relating to the four seasons – Easter in the spring, the St John’s Midsummer feast (Ivana Kupala) in the summer, the Harvest Feast in the autumn and Christmas in the winter – and three rites in the cycle of life – baptism, marriage and burial.

This exhibit is a must-see. I strongly urge you to attend and be exposed to a visual experience that you will never forget! Make sure that your guide is Daria Diakowsky who is a fountain of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm on this subject.

Sorochka: Seasons of the Year Seasons of Life will remain on display to August 31, 2002 at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, 620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto. For information and group tours, call 416-923-3318.