Folk art, culture and faith connect at Ukrainian museum

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This article was published 25/07/2019 (2284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Faith and culture are intricately linked for many people from Ukraine, so it’s no surprise Winnipeg’s Ukrainian museum is in a church.

The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral (1175 Main St.) is home to the Manitoba branch of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, a small but interesting display of folk art.

“Folk art and culture are very connected to the church,” said Marusia Foster, 74, the museum’s volunteer chairwoman.

By way of example, she pointed to intricately embroidered ceremonial cloths called rushnyky, used for baptisms, weddings, funerals and other ceremonial occasions. They are also draped over icons.

Of course, there are the famous pysanka, or Easter eggs, of which the local museum has a large and colourful collection.

When Ukraine became Christian more than 1,000 years ago, decorated Easter eggs became an important symbol of the new faith in the country, she explained.

The eggs on display come in a wide variety of colours and designs, since regions and villages had their own unique symbols, patterns and ways of dyeing eggs.

At the same time, Foster said, many of the patterns and symbols used in the eggs and other art predate Christianity.

“There are lots of ancient symbolisms” in the various designs and patterns, she said, noting the artistic traditions were absorbed by the church over time.

Most of the collection was donated by Manitobans of Ukrainian descent, Foster said, adding “some of the items came to Canada in the 1890s.”

In addition, the museum has many artifacts carefully catalogued and stored on shelves and in cabinets in a back room. There is also a library and gift shop.

“We have thousands of items,” Foster said. “We can’t display them all.”

The museum is supported by dedicated volunteers. In summer, it also hires a student — this year, it’s Jillian Chomiak, 26, a museum studies student at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

“I like learning all the different things in the museum, things I didn’t know about before I came here,” she said of her job.

The museum’s current special exhibit is titled “Floral Imagery as Portrayed in Ukrainian Folk Art.” Items on display include weavings (or kylyms), embroidery, ceramics, pysanky, paintings and wood carvings.

The exhibit includes items donated by Leonard Krawchuk, a well-known collector of Ukrainian folk art.

Some of the challenges facing the museum are getting more volunteers and passing on the interest in Ukrainian folk art and heritage to a younger generation.

“A main concern is engaging younger people,” Foster said, noting with a laugh at least one family learned more about its heritage at the museum when their children wanted to learn how to put the Winnipeg Jets logo on Easter eggs.

She also wants people know that after being dormant for a few years following a 2016 fire that damaged the cathedral, the museum is open once more. While the museum itself was not affected by the fire, she said, it has taken awhile to get everything in the building up and running because of the restoration work.

“We want people to know we are open again and ready for them,” Foster said, adding visitors will “be surprised by all the things we have in here.”

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August. Admission is by donation; visitors need to call ahead. Tours are also welcome. To arrange a visit, call 204-582-1018 or visit umcmb.ca.

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