Today's email newsletter looks at vyshyvankas through the eyes of Mariya Zarenska, who has spent seven decades sewing and teaching others about the Ukrainian folk garments.

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Now 84 years young, she oversees a traveling exhibition of these embroidered garments.

In the last few years, her eyesight has deteriorated to the point that she can no longer sew effectively.

But she still spends her time teaching anyone who wants to know about vyshyvankas

And though her hand sewing days are over, she retains her role as half-entertainer, half-educator — an ambassador for Ukrainian customs.

Here she is briefing a middle school class on the clothing. You can just feel her energy!

A typical vyshyvanka features colorful embroidery on a plain white background, explains Oleksandra Storchay, a senior researcher at the National Center of Folk Culture, adding that it became associated with Ukrainian culture at the beginning of the 17th Century.

Spotted in Kyiv:

The outfit both unites Ukrainians and differentiates them.

Different regions have different patterns/colors associated. Floral patterns are typically indicative of the Kyiv region, and certain geometric shapes are typical of Ternopil, in western Ukraine, Zarenska said.

This week Ukraine marked Vyshyvanka Day, a day for those supportive of Ukrainian national identity.

Spotted in Kyiv:

During wartime it’s an act of protest and resistance: after all, Vladimir Putin doesn’t believe that Ukraine should exist as a distinct identity.

Spotted in Kyiv:

Kyiv also remains under repeated Russian attack:

According to Ukrainian officials, there have been only four nights in the month of May without Russian enemy raids.

Image per Ukrainian govt; building on fire in Kyiv due to debris from Russian drone