London Ont. man embraces Ukrainian tradition of 'Pysanky' as a symbol of hope
The Ukrainian culture has deep roots and traditions. One of which is an art form that dates back thousands of years, decorating eggs to ward off evil.
London Ont. man, Michael Drul is dedicating his spare time to this hobby and hopes others will embrace it too.
“This one is a pattern that I developed on my own, and it is of the Ukrainian national coat of arms called the Tryzub”, says Drul as he holds a beautifully decorated egg in hand.
Drul has been ‘writing eggs’ as it’s referred to in Ukraine, since he was five, a tradition passed on by his ancestors.
When Ukraine recently was invaded by Russia, Drul wanted to do something to show his devotion to his culture.Michael Drul, second generation Ukrainian-Canadian, decorating Pysanky Eggs as seen on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Reta Ismail / CTV News)“It’s my connection that makes me feel that I’m doing something that is important,” said Drul.
So he began decorating Pysanky eggs again, each one with an intricate hand-drawn design with different styles, patterns and colour schemes, all with a special meaning.
“These are called Dubrovytsia – which are oak leaves. And oak leaves represent strength. And I thought we need a lot of strength right now,” said Drul, holding another chicken egg, with a special design.
Eggs are historically thought as good luck in the Ukrainian culture, something the Drul hopes the country will have to be able to survive the Russian invasion.
“The story goes that evil in the world is maintained and chained in the middle by a monster. And Pysanky, if they are made, will tighten the chain and bind it, but if they are not made, the evil will be released into the world,” explained Drul.Michael Drul, second generation Ukrainian-Canadian, decorating Pysanky Eggs as seen on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Reta Ismail / CTV News)He hopes these eggs will help thwart off evil – or at the very least, be a symbol of hope for the country of Ukraine.
The fourth grade teacher says it takes him roughly three hours to write six chicken eggs, and up to a collective 24 hours to complete one of the larger ostrich eggs.
He has taught his own children and his students the art form in effort to continue the expression of his culture for years to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'