Ivan Kupala Festival

"Свято Івана Купала."

Maryna Lukach

This textile artwork is created using a mixed-media approach: textile collage, hand and machine embroidery, photo printing on fabric, ribbon embroidery, and beadwork. It measures 60x80 cm. It depicts one of the major summer festivals celebrated not only in Ukraine but also among many European peoples. The ritual bonfire of the Ivan Kupala festival is linked to sun worship; consequently, the site for the fire was typically chosen on a hilltop to allow the flames to rise as high as possible. Like fire, water was also believed to possess powers of "purification" and "healing." Thus, ritual bathing on this day was a common practice across Europe. Beliefs also existed regarding the healing properties of the Kupala dew; people would roll in it and wash their faces with it. Young women would float wreaths on the water to divine their fortunes. Afterward, they would bathe to "purify" themselves. People stayed awake all night, dancing in circles around the fire. Young men and women, holding hands, would jump over the flames. 2023