What is a Pysanka?
A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method.
Why was it built?
In 1973, the Government of Alberta established the Alberta Century Celebrations Committee to coordinate the centennial celebrations of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The committee distributed funds to several Alberta municipalities including Vegreville. With these funds, the Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce decided to build to Pysanka to symbolize Vegreville’s rich Ukrainian culture and the peace and security that the RCMP offered the area's pioneers and their descendants.
Who built the Pysanka?
The sculpture was designed by Paul Maxum Sembaliuk, a Canadian artist of Ukrainian descent who was born and raised in the Willingdon, and Vegreville area and Professor Resch, a computer scientist at the University of Utah. The Pysanka is a complicated jigsaw puzzle containing 524-star patterns, 2,208 equilateral triangles, 3,512 visible facets, 6,978 nuts and bolts, and 177 internal struts. The Pysanka is recognized around the world as not only a unique artistic masterpiece but also an achievement of nine mathematical, architectural and engineering firsts.
How big is it?
The Pysanka measures 25.7 feet long, 18 feet wide, and stands 31 feet high.
How cool is it?
The Pysanka is so cool that Queen Elizbeth, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew came to Vegreville in 1978 to see it for themselves.
When can I see it?
The Vegreville Pysanka is available for viewing 365 days a year. Give us a call at 587-790-0923, we'd love to help you plan your visit to the Pysanka.
Filter photos by categories:
