Dying eggs is among one of the many long running traditions of Easter. Taking a hardboiled egg and dipping it into a bowl with a mixture of water, food coloring and vinegar has become a cultural staple for many who celebrate the holiday. What is produced is a pastel colored egg, which is said to symbolize the resurrection of Christ.
In the wake of the upcoming holiday, The Ukrainian Museum is offering both a workshop and an exhibit on an ancient twist to the decoration of eggs. These eggs are known as Pysanky eggs. The process in which they are decorated is much more intricate and detailed than simply dyeing them.
Psyanky eggs are said to pre date Christianity and are deeply rooted in varying Slavic cultures. The canvas used is a raw egg (not boiled) and is decorated with both dyes and beeswax. Geometric shapes along with floral patterns and animal images are carefully applied to the egg with a stylus or the head of a pin. The result is a beautifully ornate miniature work of art.
From 11 am-4 pm on March 19th and the 20th, The Ukrainian Museum located at 222 East 6th Street, is offering a workshop on how to make these unique eggs. In addition to the class, the museum is also featuring an exhibit until May 15th that will display over 400 eggs decorated in an array of regional styles.
-by James Baginski
