Ukrainian Saturday School creates giant Pysanka Easter egg

The traditional Ukrainian egg, known as Pysanka, measured 80cm high and 60cm wide and was displayed in the Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City during the Easter holidays.

In Ukraine, the tradition of decorating bird eggs with intricate patterns is deeply ingrained in Easter festivities, and it is customary of Ukrainians to eat eggs at dawn following church Easter services.

The giant Pysanka egg (Image: Daria Diak)

The Welwyn Garden City Pysanka was meticulously painted by 40 Ukrainian children and their families.

Designs on each Pysanka signify different meanings, with the sun motif believed to protect against curses, misfortunes and ailments, while infinity symbols, depicted as waves, snakes or curves, represent the essence of life.

Stars - whether five, six, seven or eight-pointed - hold symbolic significance. Hexagonal stars symbolise the passage of time and octagonal stars denote love - with eggs bearing this motif used as declarations of affection.

Children painting the Pysanka egg at the Ukrainian Saturday School (Image: Daria Diak)

Beekeepers also place Pysankas under beehives to encourage the bees to swarm.

Easter falls on a different date in Ukraine, as orthodox Christians in Europe, Africa and the Middle East celebrate Easter later than most of the western world.

Ukrainian Easter takes place on Sunday, May 5. To mark the occasion, the Saturday School will host a workshop on traditional Pysanka egg decorating on Saturday, May 4.

Children painting the Pysanka egg at the Ukrainian Saturday School (Image: Daria Diak)

A Ukrainian picnic will also be held at Stanborough Park on Sunday, April 28, which will offer participants the chance to learn traditional dances and songs to celebrate Ukrainian culture.

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Welwyn Garden City's Ukrainian Saturday School helps Ukrainian children catch up on the curriculum and preserve their native language, as well as fostering a sense of community.

The Pysanka egg on display at the Howard Centre (Image: Daria Diak)

Leadership responsibilities are shared between company director Daria Diak and Liudmyla Kostiuchenko, who has 25 years of experience and a PhD in pedagogical sciences (the study of education).

Those interested can find out more on the school's Facebook page or email ukr.community.hertfordshire@gmail.com.

Daria thanked Cllr Michal Siewniak, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services (WHCVS), and the Howard Centre for their support.

The Pysanka egg marks Ukrainian Easter, which falls later than Easter in the UK (Image: Daria Diak)

Pysanka eggs are decorated with a range of symbols with different meanings (Image: Daria Diak)

Children painted the egg with Ukrainian colours (Image: Daria Diak)

Children helping to paint the Pysanka egg (Image: Daria Diak)

The egg was painted with Ukrainian colours (Image: Daria Diak)