The UNWLA Announces “Pysanky of Hope’” NFT Collection for Humanitarian and Relief Efforts in Ukraine
NEW YORK, NY | HOUSTON, TX — On March 21, 2023, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), in partnership with Zeromint, announced its latest fundraising initiative — the “Pysanky of Hope” NFT Collection — during a “drop party” event at the Ukranian Institute of America in New York City. The UNWLA NFTs are based on the original artwork of renowned ethnographer, pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) artist, and Fulbright Scholar Sofika Zielyk. The “Pysanky of Hope” NFTs are now available for purchase on the UNWLA website and on Zeromint.
Zeromint co-founder Henry Ines joined UNWLA President Natalie Pawlenko and team, artists Sofika Zielyk and Anthony Fatato, and invited guests for an evening of talks, cultural performances, and learning about the Ukranian people, art, and traditions including pysanky or Ukrainian hand-decorated eggs. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Fatato and Ms. Zielyk to discuss the NFTs and view the pysanky collectibles on display.
The “Pysanky of Hope” NFT Collection
The Collection consists of three unique Pysanka NFTs based on designs developed by Ms. Zielyk and subsequently digitized by Anthony Fatato and “minted” by Zeromint on the Polygon blockchain. The UNWLA aims to raise $300,000 through the sale of 7,000 NFTs. The “Prayer for Protection Pysanka” sells for $100, the “Prayer for Peace” Pysanka is $50, and the “Prayer for Rebirth Pysanka” sells for $25. Buyers can use a credit card or crypto to purchase the NFTs. Proceeds from the sale will go to the UNWLA’s Humanitarian Aid Fund.
The Pysanka: A Symbol of Hope
In March 2022, one month after Russia invaded Ukraine, Ms. Zielyk established her Pysanka art installation “The Pysanka: A Symbol of Hope” at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City. The exhibit invited children and adults of all backgrounds and beliefs globally to create and donate pysanky to the installation. Since that time, Ms. Zielyk has curated a collection of hundreds of pysanky. When the war in Ukraine is over, all the pysanky from the installation will be shipped to Ukraine to be used in ancient symbolic rituals of rebirth: the eggs will be buried in the ground for a good harvest, added to cattle feed for healthier livestock, and placed in homes being rebuilt as protection against evil spirits.
According to the UNWLA, Ukrainian hand-decorated eggs, known as pysanky (singular: pysanka), are traditionally created during springtime and have always been associated with rebirth and hope. Typically covered in symbolic motifs, the pysanky were used in ancient rituals to hasten the rebirth of the sun god and all of nature after a long winter. The tradition of the pysanka being passed down from mother to daughter was said to ensure that the world would continue to survive.
The UNWLA “Pysanky of Hope” NFT collectibles present an unique opportunity to invest in peace and support Ukraine. Zeromint is proud to support this initiative and to work with the UNWLA and other high-impact organizations. Looking ahead, the UNWLA anticipates creating more digital collectibles developed not only by Ms. Zielyk but also by Ukrainian refugee artists globally.
About the UNWLA
Established in 1925, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) is the longest-running and largest Ukrainian women’s organization in the US. The UNWLA’s mission is to promote and develop educational and cultural efforts and provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians worldwide. The UNWLA is guided by principles of Christian ethics, religious tolerance, political non-partisanship, and universal respect for human rights. For more information, visit the UNWLA’s website.
About Zeromint
Near zero emissions. Near zero carbon footprint. Zeromint is the greenest place to mint and purchase one-of-a-kind NFTs. We aim to support leading organizations globally with their fundraising initiatives through the easy creation, showcase, and sale of unique and environmentally-friendly NFTs. Whether you are an artist, musician, enterprise or not-for-profit, have comfort in knowing that you are minting NFTs sustainably on environmentally-friendly blockchains including the GoChain and Polygon blockchains. For more information, please visit zeromint.com.
