On Saturday, 13 December 2025, team members of the GDIP Media Center organised a new workshop on creating one of the oldest Ukrainian Christmas talismans — a straw didukh. The event took place in the cosy atmosphere of the Isaeva Gallery creative studio in central Kyiv, filled with light, inspiration and the spirit of Ukrainian traditions. The artistic workshop was attended by representatives of the Embassies of Canada, Finland, and Sweden.

The didukh is far more than a Christmas decoration — it is an ancient talisman of the Ukrainian home, filled with symbols of harvest, prosperity and ancestral memory. Woven from golden ears of grain, it embodies the unbreakable bond between generations, reverence for ancestors and blessings for the entire family. On Christmas Eve, the didukh was traditionally placed in the most honourable spot in the home, symbolically inviting the spirits of forebears to the festive table and expressing gratitude for the generous gifts of the earth. Not by chance, the very name didukh literally means ‘the spirit of the grandfather’.

The tradition of creating this ritual symbol dates back to pre-Christian times, when it was believed that the power of ancestors, capable of protecting family comfort and prosperity, dwelled in the ears of grain. During the workshop, each participant had a unique opportunity to experience this ancient tradition: to master the technique of weaving a didukh, learn how to work with prepared straw, and harmoniously combine different grains into a single composition.

Using rye, wheat, oats and flax, the participants created their handcrafted sheaves, adding a festive mood and individual character to each piece. The craftswoman offered a variety of decorative options, allowing each participant to create a truly unique didukh. Such a talisman, placed in the home in the run-up to Christmas, will become not just a warm festive decoration, but also a touching keepsake of time spent in Ukraine during the Christmas holidays.