President and First Lady wear traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts on Vyshyvanka Day

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, greeted Ukrainians on Vyshyvanka Day by posting their own holiday-themed photo together on social media. [A vyshyvanka is a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, part of Ukrainian national dress – ed.]

The couple coordinated their outfits, choosing black-and-white shirts: Volodymyr’s with traditional Ukrainian designs and Olena’s with floral motifs.

Source: Tabloid

Quote: "Visible or not, it [the vyshyvanka] is always under the defender’s pixel [Ukraine’s military camouflage pattern – ed.] and under the emergency worker’s uniform, under the medic's white coat, the power engineer's jacket; it’s worn by volunteers, teachers, everyone who holds the defence," Zelenskyy said in his Instagram post.

"It’s been familiar to our children since they were little. It symbolises the unity of all generations of Ukrainians down the centuries.

Its pattern is unique because it is embroidered by our deeds on a canvas woven by our values. Over the years of resistance to aggression, it has become an unofficial uniform for all who defend humanity, freedom, and the right to identity. Happy Vyshyvanka Day, Ukraine, Ukrainians, and friends of Ukraine!" the Zelenskyys said.

Background:

• Last year and the year before, the President and First Lady greeted Ukrainians separately on Vyshyvanka Day.

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