“This should help protect from counterfeiting”

The famous Petrykivka painting has got its own logo, the so-called “onion” (an iconic onion-shaped flower) with the word “Petrykivka” across it. The logo is registered as belonging to the community of the village of Petrykivka, which from now on will be the exclusive owner of the mark. It will decorate all painted household items, ornaments, and accessories, made in Petrykivka.

The logo was created by Liudmyla Horhulia, a merited master of Ukrainian folk art. Meanwhile, Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Vilkul volunteered to take on the charge of promoting and advertising Petrykivka internationally. The creation of Petrykivka’s brand is but the first step on the road towards Ukrainian traditional painting acquiring the status of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. This year UNESCO will be considering the Petrykivka’s nomination case. As part of the international promotion tour, the work of the local craftsmen will be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels, the embassies of Ukraine in the EU countries, and at the large-scale exhibit at the UNESCO headquarters, slated for this June in Paris.

In Dnipropetrovsk oblast, the ancient art of traditional one-stroke painting is taught to children outside the Petrykivka community as well. School curricula include classes of Petrykivka painting. There are also optional courses at schools of higher education, as well as extracurricular Petrykivka circles at children’s leisure centers. The Dnipropetrovsk College of Theater and Arts trains experts in Petrykivka painting: last year a special department was created, which accommodates students from various regions of Ukraine.

Liudmyla Maietna, director of the Dnipropetrovsk City Center for Children and Youth, says that Petrykivka painting is becoming more and more popular these days. According to her, entire families of Dnipropetrovsk residents come to painting classes.

The new logo is supposed to be placed on any kind of products. Examples were demonstrated during the presentation: the logo decorated wrist-watches, a tea service, pens, notepads, and lighters. Moreover, artists had also painted a city bus in Petrykivka style. In the future, the logo could appear on the city’s street cars. According to Vilkul, you cannot rule out a possibility that Petrykivka paintings will decorate even space shuttles.

Ivan SHULYK, chief artist, Dnipropetrovsk Youth Academic Theater:

“As a native of Petrykivka, I can say that the local style of painting is a unique and inimitable phenomenon. It should receive a special status not only in Ukraine, but also internationally. Of course, recently it became the hub of much sensation, with politics and self-promotion involved. Yet the very fact of creating and registering a logo for Petrykivka painting is absolutely positive. There have been a lot of artisans imitating Petrykivka style, painting and selling boxes, platters, or maces, which have nothing to do with Petrykivka and are no more than a fake. It hurts the original masters to see that, for the style and peculiar elements of this traditional painting were elaborated and passed down from generation to generation. Theoretically, own logo should both copyright and protect against counterfeiting.

“During Viktor Yushchenko’s presidency I led the oblast department of culture. We managed to do a lot to preserve this art from extinction and ensure its continuity. Unfortunately, a lot of the plans were not carried out then, mostly due to financial problems. But if the incumbent administration continues our cause, I think it is great. The Petrykivka brand should be advertised and promoted. It is essential in today’s world. Let the Petrykivka logo decorate dishes, pens, lighters, buses, and street cars, I see no harm in it. It was much worse to watch an ancient tradition slip into oblivion and die. And if Petrykivka ornaments will decorate spacecraft, it will double my pride for my home village. I think my fellow countrymen from Petrykivka will not mind, either.”