Colour, Community and Culture: A Morning of Ukrainian Easter Egg Painting in Welwyn Garden City

On Sunday, 22 March, The Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City hosted a Ukrainian Easter egg painting workshop, one of a series of cultural events organised by UAID International volunteers to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and to share Ukrainian heritage with local communities across London and Hertfordshire. Participants of all ages and backgrounds gathered to try their hand at Pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian craft of decorating Easter eggs, while learning about the culture and history behind it.

Pysanky (from the Ukrainian word pysaty — to write) is one of Ukraine’s oldest and most cherished folk traditions, with roots stretching back centuries. Each egg is a canvas for intricate geometric patterns, symbols and motifs carrying deep cultural meaning, from nature and fertility to protection and hope.

The technique is a form of Batik: using a sharp-tipped stylus called a kistka, the artist draws designs in hot wax onto the surface of the egg before dipping it into vibrant liquid dyes. Layer by layer, colour by colour, the pattern builds, hidden beneath the wax until the very end, when it is carefully removed to reveal the finished design. It is a process that rewards patience, and one that has been passed down through generations of Ukrainian families.

Led by an experienced arts and crafts guide, Oksana Husak, participants walked through every stage, no previous experience necessary. From picking up the kistka for the first time to the moment of revealing a finished egg, the room was full of concentration and genuine interest.

People had made the journey from across Hertfordshire: St Albans, Harpenden, Stevenage and Letchworth Garden City among them, drawn by curiosity about Ukrainian culture and the chance to make something with their hands. By the end of the session, each participant left with two or three beautifully decorated eggs: a real, handmade result from a morning well spent.

The event drew warm praise from attendees, including Deputy Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Michal Siewniak:

"It was so nice to attend the Easter workshop at the Howard Centre, which was organised by the Ukrainian community. The unit was full of people, colours and endless opportunities to explore the culture, heritage and various aspects of the Ukrainian traditions. I was delighted to see various members of the public and residents who came along from other parts of the county. The event today was a huge success and a fantastic reminder that art creates such a unique environment for social interaction."

As enjoyable as the morning was, it carried a clear purpose. All proceeds go directly towards purchasing an evacuation vehicle for relief and rescue operations in Ukraine, a practical, life-saving contribution made possible through every donation given on the day.

That is the thinking behind everything UAID International does: bringing people together around culture and community, while keeping the focus firmly on those who need help most. Ukraine’s traditions are very much alive in events like this one, and so is the effort to support the people keeping them alive.

If you missed this one, more events are coming. To find out more or to support UAID’s work in Ukraine, visit uaid.org.uk