There is an old Ukrainian saying: “As long as people paint pysanky, the world will exist. When they stop, the world will end.” Whether or not the participants at our recent Easter egg-making workshop knew this proverb, they each played a part in helping the world continue just a little bit longer.
On Saturday, 12 April—marking the 113th anniversary of the first Plast oath—our local tennis club transformed into a warm, glowing space filled with candlelight, the scent of beeswax, and the soft hum of concentration. Dozens gathered to try their hand at the ancient art of pysanka, many picking up the pysachok for the very first time.
We began, as we always do, with a prayer—grounding our work in tradition and intention. Our guest, Olena Holovko, introduced participants to the symbolism and technique of pysanka-making, sharing not only how to draw with wax but why these eggs have carried meaning for generations.
Each pysanka created was unique—a personal design infused with cultural heritage. The magic of pysanka lies not only in its beauty, but in its power to connect people across time and place. As one person learns, they pass it on to family and friends, who in turn teach others. And so the tradition lives on, in ever-widening circles.
Pysanky are far more than decorated eggs—they are vibrant expressions of Ukrainian identity, spirituality, and resilience. Every line, every symbol holds stories passed down over millennia.
Even our youngest Plastuny, the Ptashata, got in on the action. They learned to use the pysachok and created their own krapanky (eggs decorated with dots). In between, they played themed games—fingerplay rhymes, bunny relays collecting eggs, and a butterfly-on-a-flower race—all tying into the Easter spirit.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. With every pysanka created, a piece of Ukraine’s heart beats on—and the world keeps turning.
