Since ancient times, the egg has been one of humanity’s most powerful symbols. It is difficult to say which culture first gave it meaning, yet nearly all ancient civilizations were familiar with it. Across different peoples, the egg came to represent the same essential ideas: the mystery of life emerging from darkness, the return of the sun in spring, warmth, renewal, and joy.
This lecture invites the audience to explore the rich tradition of Ukrainian Easter eggs within this broader symbolic context. The author will guide participants through the diverse techniques of decorating Easter eggs that have existed in Ukraine for centuries — from pysanky and krashanky to dryapanky and other regional forms — sharing her personal experience of recreating these methods and reflecting on their materials, symbolism, and cultural significance.
The presentation will also introduce contemporary Easter egg decorating traditions practiced by other cultures around the world, revealing how diverse and vibrant this artistic heritage remains both in Ukraine and beyond.
Alona Popova was born and raised in Ukraine. Having relocated to the USA in 2017 and settling in Massachusetts in 2019, Alona is committed to giving back to her community and maintaining her Ukrainian roots. She is a Pysanky Artist, Instructor, Teacher, Community Activist, and Volunteer. Alona has been creating pysanky for nearly a decade and now leads regular workshops and an online Pysanky Club. Each egg she create is a tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian folk art, and her mission is to guard, reproduce, enhance, and share this tradition with others.She experiments with natural dyes and modern techniques while preserving traditional designs, sharing her passion with others through teaching and social media. As co-founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England (UCCN), Alona is actively involved in event planning, fundraising, and promoting Ukrainian culture. She also teaches at a Ukrainian school and leads Pysanky workshops.
Artist’s website: https://pysankyclub.com/
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