BOOK NOTES: A closer look at the pysanka, in Ukrainian or English (09/25/05)

BOOK NOTES

A closer look at the pysanka, in Ukrainian or English

"The Ukrainian Folk Pysanka," by Vira Manko. Lviv: Svichado Publishing, 2005, 41pp., $20 (hard cover).

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Ukrainian pysanka is an article of pure beauty, ingenuity and history. Its vivid colors and symbolic graphics serve as reminders to all of the beauty of Ukrainian culture.

In her new hard-cover book, "The Ukrainian Folk Pysanka," author Vira Manko carefully documents every aspect of the art, from its rich history to its worldwide acceptance as a distinctive art form.

The 41-page, full-color book is offered in both the English and Ukrainian languages. It covers a variety of topics, and begins with an expansive historical background of the pysanka. Mrs. Manko offers readers an excellent documentation of Ukrainian folk customs and historical traditions, as well as the symbolism and meaning behind many recurring pysanka patterns and designs.

While reading through the book, the passion which Mrs. Manko holds for her art is evident; each design is carefully described, while each symbol is explored within a historical and traditional context.

Mrs. Manko recalls pysanka stories and legends passed down from earlier generations of pysanka artists. With a subtle sense of charm and poignancy, she retells folk stories that explain the origin and purpose of certain ancient Easter traditions.

Reading further into the book, the reader will find that the author offers rather comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on how to write a pysanka.

The book also features an ethnographic breakdown of pysanky; toward the end of the book Mrs. Manko offers a collection of pages that feature over 1,400 color photos of pysanky, sorted by the region from which their designs originated.

Mrs. Manko's book is a remarkable testament to the undying devotion pysanka artists have for their art. Through this collection of highly detailed pages and photographs, it is immediately clear that the art of the pysanka is, indeed, a timeless one.

To purchase a copy of "The Ukrainian Folk Pysanka" for $20 (plus $2 for shipping), readers may send orders via mail to Lada Bidiak, 68 Willow Ave., Garwood, NJ 07027, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Checks should be made payable to Lada Bidiak. When ordering, please specify which language version of the book you would like to purchase.

| Home Page |