Ukrainian headscarf day: how a traditional headdress became a global flash mob

Every year on December 7, Ukraine celebrates the day of the Ukrainian headscarf — a holiday that has become a symbol of the revival of Ukrainian traditions and respect for national culture. Also, this day is an opportunity to remind the world of the richness of Ukrainian culture, writes UNN.

Vinnytsia activists started the holiday in 2019 to unite all women and preserve long-standing Ukrainian traditions.

A headscarf in ancient times was a mandatory headdress that married women wore all year round. And they were different, everyday, festive, big, small, for every season of the year. However, this is not only an element of clothing, but a real amulet that has accompanied women for centuries and has long been a symbol of female beauty, wisdom and maternal love. It was given for holidays, kept as a family heirloom, and often used as a wedding attribute. 

In Ukraine, there are about a dozen different ways to tie a scarf. It all depends on the region, but the most common method is tying with one edge.

The holiday was started relatively recently, but there are already certain traditions on this day. So, for example, various master classes on tying a scarf are held. Also, many people participate in the photo flash mob "take a photo with a handkerchief" dedicated to this day. What is important, the holiday is also celebrated outside of Ukraine. In 2019, the day of the Ukrainian headscarf was celebrated in Spain, Canada, the USA, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Latvia, India and Portugal.  more than a million photos with a traditional headdress were published this year. And in 2020, a national record was set — the largest number of women in Ukrainian headscarves. 

Recall 

Ukrainian kobzarism is officially recognized as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity.