by Pat Meehan
Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2023 >
— Winner Embellishment Prize – Red Kangaroo Books
Ukranian Flower Crown by Karen Lynch (60 yrs), Nambour QLD
Crocheted beanie, covered with crocheted and embellished flowers, wheat crest is stitched and glued in place. Ribbons complete the work.
Ukrainian Flower Crown
TRAVEL ADVICE – Do NOT travel to Ukraine
Travelling to Ukraine, at the moment, is not a good idea. We are advised against it. However, that doesn’t stop me from acknowledging and celebrating the unique people, customs and culture of this amazing country.
I have always been interested in the craft and artisan skills of Ukraine, especially their stunning floral headdresses.
For the Alice Springs Beanie Festival this year, I have created a VINOK, a traditional Ukrainian flower crown.
The wreaths are believed to have pagan origins that predate the introduction of Christianity to the Eastern Slavic world in the 10th century. These extravagant crowns have been worn in Ukraine for centuries, by girls and young, unmarried women to symbolize purity, virginity and fertility. They signified that the young woman was “ready” for marriage. The word vinok originates from the word vinchannya, which means wedding ceremony. They have been a mainstay at festivals and weddings for many, many centuries. The Vinok is one of the oldest symbols of Ukraine, but in recent times has experienced a resurgence.
Traditionally the wreaths were made using fresh, paper or waxen flowers, often incorporated fresh herbs and had colourful ribbons attached. They also often had a crest of wheat or grass seeds. My wreath is a crocheted hat cover in crocheted and embellished flowers, with ribbons and a crest of dried wheat sheaves.
My hope for the people of Ukraine is that peace will soon return to their homeland.
Karen Lynch 2023
Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2023Amazing Australia ‘An Emu Stole my Beanie, LOL!’ Around Mornington Bush Medicine Bush Turkey City to Outback Cocky tjuta Coober Pedy Space Ship Critters of Barkly Donkey Tjuta Emu Tjuta Galahs Galahs II “I’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE MAN” Kermit at the Boab “LARAPINTA” “My Tale’s Told!” Migrants Trunk Night Sky “935 Leagues over the Sea” Pricilla Queen of the Henhouse Puppy Rainbow Travels Red River Gums Relaxing in the Creek Road Trip Snorkel Barrier Reef Space Travel ‘Spirit of the Land’ The Mulyawonk The Unwilling Traveller Tiger Tail Tjulkuru Flowers Tramps Pack Ukranian Flower Crown Visiting my family Wanakiji (Bush tomato) Waratah and Wattle Wildlife seen on travels 2023 Trophies The Great Australian Roadtrip
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Blog & Archive > Bird Watching at the Beanie Festival 2021 | Bird Watching at the Beanie Festival 2023 | Wildlife at the Beanie Festival 2023 | Snapshots from the Alice Springs Beanie Festival