Exploring the Unseen Narratives
Pysanky
A person holds a group of painted Easter eggs at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa.
Design Your Own Pysanky
Intricately designed and richly saturated in colour, decorated eggs (pysanky) have been part of Ukrainian cultural heritage for centuries. At one time, they were believed to possess the magical ability to ward off evil spirits as they ushered in the spring. After Christianity took hold in the Ukrainian region around the 10th century, pysanky designs took on additional meanings related to Easter and the Resurrection.
In Canada, pysanky have also become symbols of cultural identity and pride within Ukrainian communities. The traditional art of decorating pysanky offers enormous scope for creativity and imagination.
Within the Museum’s large collection of Ukrainian pysanky, you can see designs inspired by flora, fauna and geometrical shapes. Each design is “written” on the shell in hot wax, using a stylus, before the dyes are applied. Similar to the technique used in batik, the wax protects the surface from the dye.
Explore this selection of pysanky from the Canadian Museum of History’s collection. To try your hand at this traditional art, check out the activities below.
Easter egg, 73-401, CD1995-0509-007
A black, red, and gold painted easter egg on display.
Activities
What are your favourite signs of spring? Hop on into a new season with this inspiring pysanky egg craft!
Discover the history of the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky, then try your hand at creating delicate lines on an actual egg. Use the Museum’s collection of pysanky to inspire your choice of shapes, and enjoy seeing your vibrant colours appear!
You can find all the materials you need at home, from inside your fridge to the back of the pantry, to the depths of your craft cupboard. Above all, have fun with this traditional springtime family activity as you create wonderful pysanky from the comfort of home.
We can’t wait to see your pysanky designs! Share photos of your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #CanMusHistory.
Primary - Media Release
Secondary - Media Release
Tertiary - Media Release
Quaternary - Media Release
The Canadian Museum of History, which includes the Canadian War Museum, is pleased to welcome Kendra MacDonald to its Board of Trustees.
Ms. MacDonald’s appointment was announced by the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, following a rigorous selection process.
“I am pleased to have Ms. MacDonald join us, and to bring her proven track record for innovation, her sustainability leadership, and her extensive experience in working with boards,” said Carole Beaulieu, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These assets will be an excellent addition to our talented team. I look forward to the work we will do together to advance the Museums’ priorities.”
Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ms. MacDonald currently serves as CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, which works to advance Canada’s global leadership in sustainable ocean development. Throughout her career, she has worked and volunteered around the world in industries including technology, media, energy, telecommunications, health, and the public sector, and is considered a leader in clean tech in Canada for her work in supporting a global transition to a net-zero economy.
Ms. MacDonald has extensive experience in working with boards, having held trustee roles with organizations across Canada for nearly two decades. During that time, she has worked with organizations including Lupus Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Clean Resource Innovation Network, BioCanRx, and Shorefast Social Enterprises Inc.
Kendra MacDonald has been appointed to the Board for a four-year term, effective immediately. The 11-member Board of Trustees oversees operations of the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum — Canada’s national museums of human and military history.
The Canadian Museum of History would also like to thank Jean Giguère for her service and work as a Trustee. During her 10 years with the Board, Ms. Giguère played an important role in a number of key Museum initiatives. Her thoughtful contributions to several committees, her experience, and her vision for the Museums have been invaluable. Her guidance as Interim Chair of the Board is especially notable, as she provided leadership and stability during an important period of transition.
The Canadian Museum of History operates the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, and the Virtual Museum of New France. Together, these Museums function as centres for research and public information on the history of Canada. Their principal role is to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada’s history and identity. Work of the Canadian Museum of History is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.
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Disclaimer – The collections of the Canadian Museum of History are diverse, and include culturally sensitive content, as well as objects and images pertaining to violence, war and other forms of conflict. The breadth of the collection reflects Canada and its people, and a history that continues to evolve in the stories we tell, and how they are told.