Study the Key Words. What words can you find in the pictures? Key Words: Needlework bead chest decoration evil embroider needle parade embroidery guard knit pattern protect sew spirit stitch symbol tablecloth thread towel The word 'vyshyvanka' is quite new but the art of embroidery goes back to Scythian times. We know from old books that embroidery is one of the oldest forms of decoration. However, it isn't as old as the art of making clothes. People learnt to sew and knit before they started to decorate their clothes with different patterns. To do this they used needles, threads and beads. B In embroidery there are certain types of stitches that people have used for centuries. They are the running stitch and the cross stitch. Some people say that in the old days people embroidered their shirts to protect themselves from evil spirits. So, they used a cross stitch to guard their necks, arms and chests. C Embroidered shirts, blouses, tablecloths and towels are typical not only for Ukraine. You can find them in Hungary, Romania, Macedonia, russia and many other countries. However, it has become more than just a traditional form of art only in Ukraine. D Nowadays, it is quite fashionable to wear vyshyvankas on holidays and for special celebrations. You can find people of different ages in Ukrainian traditional shirts. Some people wear them every day and have special vyshyvankas for holidays! The Vyshyvanka has become a symbol of Ukrainian national identity. Today, people decorate not only shirts but also other clothes like blouses, T-shirts, belts, dresses, ties, and even swimsuits! E Since 2008, there have been marches called Vyshyvanka Parades. They are usually organised on a Sunday in May when the weather is already warm. You can see a lot of people dressed in different types of wyshyvankas. They go along the main streets of Ukrainian cities, sing songs and wish each other peace and happiness. They also carry the national flags of Ukraine and pictures of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine's national poet.​