This embroidered shirt and headband was handmade by my great grandmother in Ukraine. Even though a really long distance separates us, I still feel a spirit of fascinating Ukrainian culture in my house in New York City. The embroidered shirts that girls wear are usually made with black or white material and ornamented with red, blue, or black as these are the colorful symbols of our culture. The headband is decorated with flowers (fake or real) that each represented something different, but if they are put together in the certain order they could have their own meanings.  Poppy flowers by itself symbolize dreams, fertility, beauty, and youth; chamomile symbolizes tenderness, loyalty, and love. Symbols are very important in our country because it represents our great historic past and we aim to honor it as much as we could. In Ukraine, I wore this embroidered shirt only to important events and holidays because it was considered sacred to me. On the holidays or events like the first day of school, wedding, or Easter, the tradition requires us to wear the cultural clothing to honor the culture. This clothing is known as formal clothing and is not worn on daily basis. Now living in New York City, I wear these attires less than I used to. On Easter, my family and I visit Ukrainian church wearing traditional clothes to sanctify foods to honor God. Even though I immigrated to America, I still take place in Ukrainian community, here in New York, and continue following my culture. 

– Yana Prokopechko

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant