Famous Ukrainian chef and promoter of national cuisine Yevhen Klopotenko, together with his team, visited Bashtanka in Mykolaiv Oblast. There he filmed the ancient local ritual “Divuvannya”, which is included in the National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.
The filming took place on the grounds of the Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It involved members of the folk ensemble “Pohostyny” under the direction of Nataliya Kovalenko.
The women performed traditional songs, reenacted ritual actions, and demonstrated aspects of “Divuvannya” that have been preserved since the times of their grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Young people also joined the ritual. Participants hung traditional elements on a special metal structure in the shape of a tub, adapting the ancient custom to modern conditions.
During the meeting, Yevhen Klopotenko was told about the history of Bashtanka, its heroic chapters, and the events of March 2022, when Russian troops entered the town. At that time, local residents organized resistance and defended their hometown.
The ritual “Divuvannya” has already been presented in Kyiv at the festival “Living Culture — Living World”. This year the Bashtanka tradition has again been invited to be presented at this festival, which will allow it to be shared with a wider audience.
Thus, Yevhen Klopotenko‘s visit became another opportunity for Bashtanka to showcase living Ukrainian culture, local songs, customs, and traditions beyond Mykolaiv Oblast.
