In Kyiv, the exhibition ‘Roosters of Resilience’ has opened, dedicated to the ceramic rooster that survived the destruction of a kitchen in Borodianka, hit by Russian shelling in 2022.
The exhibition, which features a collection of over 2,000 pieces from the Vasylkiv Majolica Factory, centers around a unique ceramic rooster crafted using the majolica technique (firing clay with a painted glaze). Roosters like this were common in Ukrainian homes in the 1960s–80s.
When Ivan Hrynko, an ENT doctor, learned about the Borodianka rooster, he was moved by its survival amid the devastation. This inspired him to start collecting similar roosters. As his collection grew to over 2,000 pieces, he realised that the roosters were not only culturally valable, but also a symbol of resilience.
The factory that made these roosters no longer exists, making each piece even more unique. Inspired by the Borodianka rooster’s strength, Hrynko founded the Pivnyk Charity Foundation, which focuses on restoring the hearing of Ukrainian soldiers and preserving cultural heritage.
Photos: bazilil.media
by Ukraine.ua