Amicale

Exhibition “Motanka Dolls in Traditional Costumes of European Countries”

📅 Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg — 10–14 November 2025
🎉 Opening on Wednesday, 12 November at 12:00

Ukraine celebrates its 30th anniversary of membership in the Council of Europe with a unique exhibition:
“Motanka Dolls in Traditional Costumes of European Countries”, hosted at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg.

This exhibition, the tenth stage of the international project “Ukrainian Dolls Travel the World”, resonates particularly in Strasbourg, the European capital and a symbol of cultural unity.
It is organised by the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe, Tetyana Zolochevska and her organisation KOLOS e.V. (Bremen, Germany),
and Ivanna Pinyak, founder of the brand Motanka Art Doll (Strasbourg, France).

🌿 A collection symbolising resilience and unity

Originally created for Europe Day 2021, the collection was evacuated from Mykolaiv in February 2022 to escape Russian shelling.
After being restored in Bremen, it has already been shown in Strasbourg — at the Kléber Bookshop, Les Aubettes during the European Youth Summit, and at the European Parliament.

In 2025, the collection — renewed and expanded — now represents all 46 member states of the Council of Europe, featuring 42 Ukrainian artists and 68 motanka dolls created both in Ukraine and by members of the diaspora (Norway, Germany, Poland, Portugal, France…).

💙 An exhibition for Europe

The exhibition takes place at a symbolic moment — the transfer of the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from Malta to Moldova.
It is a gesture of gratitude from the Ukrainian people to all Europeans who extended a helping hand to Ukrainian women and children during the darkest days of Russian aggression.

Each motanka doll represents an authentic regional costume, the result of extensive ethnographic research and meticulous handcrafting.
As project co-founder Tetyana Zolochevska explains:

“Each doll is unique, inspired by Europe’s regional traditions. We wanted visitors to discover both the diversity of European dress and what unites our cultures.”

🌻 Ukraine at the heart of the project

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to Ukraine.
Despite transportation challenges, these Ukrainian motanka dolls captivate with their elegance and authenticity.
They remind us that within the European family, Ukraine has preserved, enriched, and shared its ancient traditions, inspiring today’s artists.

The opening ceremony will take place on 12 November at 12:00,
with Tetyana Zolochevska, artist, co-founder of the project and Vice-President of KOLOS e.V. (Bremen, Germany),
and Ivanna Pinyak, a civic leader, artist, and promoter of motanka doll culture in France, founder of the brand Motanka Art Doll, and Book World Record 2025 laureate for the largest motanka doll in the colours of Ukraine and Europe. They will present this record-holding artwork and the upcoming cultural diplomacy projects for 2025–2026.

📍 Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg — 10–14 November 2025
🕛 Opening on 12 November at 12:00