Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Ukrainian Egg Decorating Demo

Long before the Easter bunny started doling them out in colorful baskets, painted eggs, or pysanky in Ukrainian, were an integral part of ancient Slavic spring rituals. Pre-Christian Slavs considered birds the chosen creation of their sun god, simply because they could fly so close to it. Catching birds was difficult, but the Slavs could easily get their hands on eggs. They painted the fragile shells, which became symbols of rebirth — a meaning that carried over into Christianity. Theresa Somerset will demonstrate the intricate process of creating pysanky at Burlington's Frog Hollow State Craft Center this Saturday, April 16. Pictured: eggs by Theresa Somerset.