For eight consecutive years, a special tradition has taken place across Ukraine on Vyshyvanka Day—newborns in maternity hospitals receive traditional embroidered shirts. This heartwarming custom originated in Vinnytsia through the initiative of Lyudmyla Stanislavienko and members of the Successful Women of Vinnytsia Club, with support from the Ukrainian Team Volunteer Headquarters of Vinnytsia.
A small vyshyvanka is a great love for Ukraine,” says Lyudmyla Stanislavienko. “We wanted every child to feel a connection to our traditions from the very first moments of life. This is not just clothing—it is a symbol of faith in our future.
The Birth of a National Tradition
Over the course of eight years, the project has evolved from a local initiative into a nationwide movement. This year, in particular, dozens of newborns at the M.I. Pyrohov Vinnytsia Regional Perinatal Center received their first embroidered shirts.
It warms the heart to see how this beautiful tradition has been embraced by nearly every city in Ukraine,” shares the organizer. “These tiny vyshyvankas seem to pass on the strength of our nation to children from their very first breath.
New Meaning in Wartime
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the initiative has taken on special significance. For instance, women from Vinnytsia now send vyshyvankas to mothers living in temporarily occupied territories and frontline regions.
This is our response to the enemy’s aggression—to preserve and pass on Ukrainian identity to future generations,” emphasizes Lyudmyla Stanislavienko. “When you see the smiles of mothers receiving these symbolic gifts for their little ones, you realize—we are doing something truly meaningful.
The “Vyshyvanka for Newborns” project stands as a shining example of how a civic initiative can grow into a powerful movement of national unity. Most importantly, it continues to bring Ukrainians together around shared values during the most challenging times.
