The Tapestry has now been safely lowered and rolled ready to travel to its next destination.
You can get a taste of the experience on YouTube though!
This has been a technical challenge, but what a reward to walk under prayers woven into cloth.
There has been a steady stream of people dropping in to experience the installation. This started before the official launch!
On Friday morning, ITV sent a reporter to find out what was going on.
The 12 O’Clock prayers held special significance, as we were were made aware of others around the world directly affected by violence. Prayers were said in Ukrainian, Hungarian, English – and held through the visual arts.
On Friday evening the Ukrainian members of St Johns organised a reception. They invited the community to join us in welcoming the “Rushnyk”. Speakers talked about the meaning of the project and it’s international significance. At the Depot a Ukrainian embroiderer has led locals, both native Scots and those who have moved here, in contributing a new cloth from Dumfries. She explained something of the symbolism of individual designs and colours.
Heart berries from Ukraine sit across from a Scottish thistle as we gather round the same table.
The Rushnyk project is supported by the Rotary club. The Kharkiv branch are our particular close link. St Johns and the people of D&G have also been able to help give some of the children living there a respite trip from the war with the opportunity to visit Scotland. (This is happening again this year!) You can find them on facebook here.
On Friday evening we were joined by many from “Climate Kitchen”. After their regular meeting they visited St Johns to see the tapestry. Changes in the climate are global and everyone is affected by them. Pollutants from the industrialised north have led to flooding of remote island communities. Changes in weather patterns affect food production and so people need to move – especially if a war over resources hasn’t broken out. Two of the traditional colours on Ukrainian Rushnyk are red and black. Red for life, hearts and joy; Black for suffering, but also the rich soil Ukraine is famous for and in which all things can grow.
There was much to talk about, and refreshments from the earlier reception were still available !
Over next few days word spread around town that this was something to experience. Those who have not been able to visit in person have been sharing photos and comments on social media. (Or watching on TV)
“It’s so worth the visit. I visited on Saturday and was so pleased to be able to view and reflect. I add my voice to that of so many others to a message of hope , unity and a just and lasting peace for Ukraine”
“I found a deep connection through the black and red threads that I stitched to the deeper symbols and messages of Love, Hope, Unity and Peace that will travel across the World collecting stitches and humanity”.
John, Emma, facebook comments
Mark dropped in and spent some quiet moments. He also took some photos which he shared on the Quartz “Glimmers” group.
And Finally here is a gallery of us setting up!
Thank you to everyone who worked together to make this a success. Browse the other Arts projects Quartz has made possible here:
