'There is still a war going on': Massive pysanky to raise funds for newcomers
Ukrainian artists are sharing a piece of home to support fundraising efforts for a local organization helping resettle newcomers fleeing the Russian invasion.
For the second year, Kingsway Mall welcomed artists to create massive pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs, that will be auctioned off with proceeds supporting the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services.
This year, 14 artists are handcrafting a massive egg, each one representing one month of conflict since Russia invaded Ukraine.
"We need to bring back focus on the fact that there is still a war going on," explained Daena Diduck, a pysanka master and Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts member.
Diduck is involved in a parallel effort in Calgary. Artists began painting the eggs on March 30, with designs expected to be completed by Easter Monday.
They will be displayed until April 30, when the online silent auction will close. Diduck also encouraged anyone interested to donate to support the causes helping resettle Ukrainian newcomers.
"We have newcomers coming in every day," she added. "There's still people looking for help."
Some of the completed pysanky are displayed in Kingsway Mall (CTV News Edmonton/Miriam Valdes-Carletti).
Each of the eggs tell a different story, Diduck shared, and serve as a powerful symbol of the lasting power of Ukrainian culture.
"With the pysanky, it really brings the visual to let people to see the amazing culture," she said. "[Our culture's] been stolen a lot by the Soviets and Russians over the years.
"It's been rewritten. They've taken a lot of our songs, they've taken a lot of our artists and a lot of our work," she added. "We need to show this is ours."
Veronika Vitenko is one artist designing an egg in Edmonton. This is her second month in Canada after fleeing her war-torn homeland.
"It's a very difficult moment," she said, adding that her father, who is serving in the armed forces, and brother remain in Ukraine.
Traditionally, Vitenko would create pysanky at home with her family as they baked Easter bread. While she misses home, Vitenko says she is excited to celebrate Orthodox Easter next weekend in Canada.
"This year, we celebrate Easter for the first time in Canada. I know it will be special for us," Vitenko told CTV News Edmonton. "We go to Ukrainian Church, we feel that mood, and we feel better about [being here]."
"It makes us feel a little better."
Some of the completed pysanky are displayed in Kingsway Mall (CTV News Edmonton/Miriam Valdes-Carletti).
She was surprised to see the interest and support from mallgoers who stop to ask questions.
"I am happy to have this opportunity to help other Ukrainians while here," she added.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.