Petrykivka decorative painting tradition is paving the way for other cultural treasures of Ukraine

“For the first time ever, a Ukrainian cultural tradition, in this case the Petrykivka decorative painting, has been added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Now that the mechanism has been worked out and the beaten track established, Ukrainians can present their customs and traditional art for inclusion into the category of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity every year,” chair of the regional council Yevhen Udod stated at a press conference. “I believe we will have a lot of followers. We are ready to actively share our experience and will host the National Committee session in February 2014 where we will show and tell everything.” The chair who had led the Ukrainian delegation at the 8th session of the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, said that Dnipropetrovsk region itself had at least two phenomena that could be included in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He said the hardest part of getting the status was compiling the required paperwork correctly. “This year, 31 achievements from all over the world were nominated for the status of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Ukraine was the sole first-time nominee, and the only nation which was able to get the coveted status on the first try,” the chair of the regional council noted.

“Overall, the preparation was another confirmation for us that the letter of the convention is a very serious matter,” Udod told us.

Obtaining a high international status will bring more money to Dnipropetrovsk, since UNESCO protected sites have greatest tourist attractiveness. Besides, it will help attract investment in development of the Petrykivka decorative painting tradition as well as Petrykivka village itself.

The annual festival “Wonderful Flower of Petrykivka” will become an international festival of traditional cultures as soon as 2014.