Museum collection of shirts digitised

We are progressing with the “History Preserved in Digital Format” project. We have now digitised clothing items, including our collection of embroidered shirts. Most of them were created during the first half of the 20th century. These shirts represent different regions of our country and impress with their variety of ornaments. But most importantly, each shirt has its own story, a unique testament to the past. Through the lens of these stories, we reveal the tragic chapter of the Holodomor, which has been etched into our national memory forever.

The Ukrainian shirt is a traditional element of Ukrainian national clothing, distinguished by its rich, symbolic embroidery. It is not just a garment, but an important cultural symbol that preserves the history and traditions of the Ukrainian people.
During the dekulakisation, when all property was confiscated from farmers, the embroidered shirts were seized too. If the shirt survived, it could become a chance for salvation, as during the Holodomor, it could be exchanged for a handful of grain or potatoes. Every stitch, every thread, which once sang of joy and prosperity, then became a silent witness to despair and the struggle for survival.

It would seem that in the whirlwind of the famine, when families were being destroyed and the very basis of national existence was being destroyed, this fragile thread of connection with the past should have disappeared. However, despite everything, the Ukrainian shirt survived. Having gone through the hell of famine, through the years of oblivion and the destruction of national identity, it did not dissolve in the maelstrom of history. It was preserved, hidden, and passed down from generation to generation as a precious treasure, as a living memory of the indomitable spirit.

The digitisation of embroidered shirts in the museum’s collection contributes to preserving Ukraine’s invaluable cultural heritage. Each pattern and each stitch carries a story and symbolism that we want to preserve for the future. Thanks to modern technologies, we create digital copies, which in turn ensure that every detail is preserved unchanged.

The “History Preserved in Digital Format” project is supported by the European Union under the House of Europe programme. Stay tuned for our updates to learn more about the project implementation.