Ukrainian Pysanky: A Journey Through History and Symbolism into Today's Classroom

Activity Type: 
Teacher Training--Area Studies
Promo Image: 
Presenter: 
Megan Luttrell
Date: 
Thursday, January 8, 2026 - 18:30
Event Status: 
As Scheduled
Contact Person: 
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email: 
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu

This session focuses on the ancient tradition of pysanky (decorated eggs) in Ukraine. It discusses the history and process of making pysanky as well as the fascinating symbolism in the designs, tracing the change pysanky symbolism throughout cultural shifts in Ukraine. The session also introduces participants to digital resources on pysanky including sample lesson plans that show educators how they can use pysanky in a variety of classroom contexts.

This webinar is the fourth in a six-part webinar series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the vibrant and diverse artistic traditions of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into the classroom. Each 90-minute session will spotlight a different art form—including music, dance, literature, visual arts, cultural artifacts, and theater/film—offering both historical and cultural context as well as practical classroom strategies. Use the registration form to register for one or more of these events.

UCIS Unit: 
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Non-University Sponsors: 
“Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Harvard University”
“Center for Russia
East Europe
and Central Asia
University of Wisconsin-Madison”
“Center for Russian
East European
& Eurasian Studies
University of Kansas”
“Center for Slavic
East European and Eurasian Studies
The Ohio State University”
Eurasian and Eastern European Studies
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill”
“Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute
Indiana University”
“Russian
and Eurasian Center
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign”
World Regions: 
Russia/Eastern Europe
Is Event Already in University Calendar?: 
No