Zablotska–Koval Foundation
Rushnyk
One textile. One collection. A window on Ukraine’s history.
The rushnyk: more than fabric — a witness to life
The rushnyk (рушник) is a traditional Ukrainian ritual textile, usually a long band of linen or hemp, richly embroidered. Far more than a mere decorative object, it accompanies life’s key moments: birth, marriage, religious rites or funerals. Each motif and colour carries symbolic meaning linked to protection, memory and identity. Passed down from generation to generation, the rushnyk embodies the Ukrainian cultural soul. Through this collection, the rushnyk becomes a key to reading Ukraine’s history, its ancestral symbols and its cultural resilience. This site invites research and contemplation of an art that endures through time.
The collection in figures
- 418
- Pieces collected and catalogued
- 11
- Ethnographic regions represented
- 17th–20th c.
- Centuries of textile history
A fund to preserve and transmit the soul of Ukraine
The Zablotska-Koval Fund was born out of a necessity: to safeguard and highlight an endangered cultural heritage. Beyond mere material conservation, it is an act of resistance through memory. By gathering and digitizing these works, we make this identity accessible and use art to counter erasure. Our approach is built on three pillars: Safeguard: Establish a scientific database to rescue over 500 unique textiles from oblivion, in collaboration with researchers and curators. Transmit: Reveal the richness and symbolism of rushnyks to Ukrainians and the general public, reconnecting with an identity that was long hidden or erased. Promote: Collaborate with international museum institutions to exhibit these works, acting as true ambassadors of Ukrainian history and resilience.
Discover the foundation’s story