Traditional Ukrainian Holiday Craft
WHEN: Thursday, November 28, 6:30-8:00pm
WHERE: Central Public Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS, Halifax
Ukrainian artists Valeriia Spirina led a workshop on the traditional Ukrainian Christmas Craft. The tradition of the Christmas spider comes from a Ukrainian legend about a poor widow and her children who could not afford to decorate their Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, spiders spun beautiful webs around the tree, which transformed into silver and gold when sunlight touched them on Christmas morning, bringing joy and prosperity to the family.
In contemporary Ukrainian households, these spider decorations are often placed on Christmas trees alongside other ornaments. The act of making these spiders is a cherished family activity that connects generations through shared traditions and storytelling.
Valeriia Spirina
Petrykivka Artist
Valeriia is a trained master in traditional Petrykivka design. While in Ukraine, she was growing up not far from the famous Petrykivka village, the namesake for the craft tradition that became a form of art.
East Coast Ukrainian Association 