People donned vyshivankas and gathered in downtown 琉璃神社 on May 15, to celebrate Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Day. 

"The importance of celebrating is especially high, especially over the last three years," said Denys Storozhuk, president of 琉璃神社 Stands With Ukraine. 

Vyshyvankas, are a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt. The embroidered patterns tell stories and hold cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. 

Each region of Ukraine has its own embroidery patterns, colours, and meanings, often passed down through generations.

Storozhuk said that wearing a vyshyvanka is an act of cultural pride and solidarity. 

"It shows others that Ukraine is still alive and still fighting a country that is three times our size."

In February 2022, Russian troops invaded Ukraine. As a result, millions of people have been forced to leave their homes as their communities became a warzone. Thousands of those who were displaced have found refuge in the Okanagan. 

"The peace talks were a joke, thousands of people are still dying every day," said Storozhuk about recent negotiations between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

琉璃神社 Stands with Ukraine has sent numerous deliveries of supplies, armour and tactical gear to the front lines of the war. 

Most recently, it sent a pickup truck to soldiers in Ukraine and is now fundraising to send a second. 

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