전통의 생명력

Tradition Alive: Ukrainian Pysanky

우크라이나의 부활절 계란인 삐산끼(pysanky)는 우크라이나뿐만 아니라 인근 유럽지역의 민속 문화로 잘 알려져 있다. 그럼에도 불구하고 부활절 계란은 우크라이나인들에게 있어 특별한 의미를 지니는데, 본 연구는 유럽의 공통된 문화유산의 하나이면서 또한 우크라이나 민족, 민속 문화의 상징으로 받아들여지는 우크라이나인들의 삐산끼 전통이 기원지를 벗어나 캐나다라는 생소하면서 이질적인 사회, 문화적 토대위에서 어떻게 생명력을 유지, 발전해 가고 있는지에 대해 논의했다.

The Ukrainian Easter egg, pysanka, has deep roots in European tradition. The pysanka tradition was brought to Canada and carried on by the first Ukrainian settlers as a regular component of their celebration of Easter as well as by members of the subsequent waves of Ukrainian immigration to this country. Surprisingly, decoration of Easter eggs is still alive among Ukrainians in Canada. This study analyzes the pysanka phenomenon and constructs a formal theoretical framework for its evolutionary process. The reason for changes in various aspects of pysanky tradition can be attributed to the following elements: nationalization and institutionalization of folk culture, the impact of pop culture, technical development, and others. Both changes and continuity exist side by side in aspects of egg decoration while tradition motifs and designs are still preserved, innovation and adaptation of them are also applied. Some people still use traditional homemade materials. But, in many cases, the traditional homemade coloring substances are replaced by commercially available coloring kit. There are also changes in techniques and tools of specific characters. Placed side by side, both techniques and special tools show trends of adding and subtracting. In terms of functions and meanings of Easter eggs, these decorated objects have multifaced characters. First, Easter eggs are still regarded as a symbol of rebirth and magical power during the spring season. Second, they are artistic refinement, which can identify Ukrainian ethnicity. And, third, they are marketable good which can make profit. Egg decoration represents a part of overall culture. Easter eggs, like culture, are a unique human phenomena socially shared and transmitted, in this case by Ukrainians in Canada.