On December 7, Ukraine celebrates Ukrainian Headscarf Day – a holiday that reminds us of the power of folk traditions, feminine elegance, and warm family symbolism. A headscarf has always been more than just a part of an outfit: it was given as a gift for good luck, taken on a journey, kept as a family heirloom, and passed on as a sign of love and respect.

The Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology (USUCT) also celebrated this holiday brightly and colorfully. As part of the “A Real Headscarf is a Real You” flash mob, students and teachers of the institute demonstrated various ways of tying headscarves and their modern combination with Ukrainian and everyday clothing. This initiative served as a reminder: traditional things can sound very modern if you invest your own history, culture, and emotions in them.

Interestingly, in Ukrainian tradition, the scarf has always had a special meaning:

• It was once believed that each color and ornament carried its own message – from wishes for harmony to symbols of love and prosperity.
• Different regions of Ukraine had their own techniques for tying scarves – a kind of “code” by which one could recognize where a woman came from.
• Embroidered and factory scarves often became part of the wedding ceremony and were kept as a family value for many years.

Today, the Ukrainian scarf is coming back into fashion: it is worn on holidays and on weekdays, woven into modern images and photo shoots, used as a bright accent and manifestation of national identity. It is this idea – respect for the past and a bold combination with the present – that was emphasized by the flash mob of the SEI USUCT.

The university community continues to support Ukrainian traditions and create a space in which culture becomes a part of everyday life.