Preserving Ukrainian Heritage: Maria Zarembska’s Native House in Kyiv

KYIV — Just a stone’s throw away from Kyiv’s Independence Square, a historic location that witnessed the fervor of protests during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, stands a poignant museum dedicated to Ukrainian culture. The Native House, founded by 85-year-old Maria Zarembska, serves as a reminder of the bravery and heritage of the soldiers who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Maria opened her museum on Kostolna Street back in 1986, originally intending to showcase her rich personal collection of embroidery. On our visit, accompanied by translator Liubov Sholudko, we observed the elderly yet spirited artist as she navigated the steep hill towards her beloved museum. It was heartening to see her small, parka-clad figure making her way to the place she has nurtured for nearly four decades.

As we arrived at the museum’s entrance, adorned with a traditional red-and-white vyshyvka pattern, Maria reflected on the vibrant artistic community that once thrived in this part of Kyiv in the 1990s. Now, she lamented, she remains the sole Ukrainian folk artist in the neighborhood.

Upon entering the small museum, which opens its doors in the afternoons, visitors are welcomed by an array of white vyshyvanka, or embroidered shirts, beautifully displayed on the walls of the first room. Each piece of clothing boasts intricate patterns that signify regional variations and showcase elements of Ukraine’s national identity, often featuring symbols like diamonds and stars.

Maria, who learned the art of embroidery from a young age, shared her passionate journey with us. With roots in the small village of Kopychyntsi in western Ukraine, Maria began to embroider at just 10 years old, nurtured by her mother’s encouragement during her frequent illnesses. “The embroidery helped me to survive,” she reflected, her voice filled with pride and nostalgia.

While love found her through four marriages, Maria never had children of her own. With time, she grew to regard her beautiful creations as her offspring, each thread woven with care and intention.

Her collection garnered recognition in 1984, showcased in exhibitions that traveled internationally from Ternopil to global cities including Moscow, France, the U.S., and Canada, where her family sought refuge from oppression. Yet, throughout her distinguished career, Zarembska has remained a steadfast advocate for Ukrainian cultural identity, even teaching Russian in Crimea under challenging circumstances.

Diverging from the Soviet government’s intentional promotion of Russification, Zarembska’s work has become a bastion of Ukrainian self-expression. With pride, she declares, “Moscow was built by Ukraine’s king, Yuri Dolgorukiy.” Her commitment to Ukrainian heritage is unwavering, reflecting the artist’s deep-rooted connection to her homeland.

Years later, when the Soviet authorities offered her a better salary for teaching Russian, she resolutely declined. Determined to harness her talents, Zarembska relocated to Kyiv where she eventually received a museum space from the government, albeit under pretenses she knew were less than genuine.

The Native House remains a treasure trove of Ukrainian cultural expression, housing a plethora of embroidered artifacts that tell the stories of generations. Visitors are captivated by the traditional women’s shirts graced with black and red motifs and children’s garments featuring a vivid array of colors.

Despite acknowledging the challenges faced by artists today, Zarembska is optimistic about the revival of Ukrainian culture, especially among the youth who are embracing their heritage more passionately than ever before. In the wake of Russia’s invasion, traditional vyshyvanka attire has made a powerful comeback in cultural festivities, signaling a strong assertion of identity.

“We won’t be destroyed by anyone,” Zarembska proclaims. “My people are present now, and my people will be present forever.”

Editor’s Note: This reporting was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Women on the Ground: Reporting from Ukraine’s Unseen Frontlines Initiative in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.