The National Bell Festival has tapped Ukrainian papercutting artist Natalia Didenko to serve as the 2025 Official Festival Artist for the sixth annual festival on New Year’s Day.
Vytynanky, the art of papercutting, took hold in Ukraine around the turn of the 17th century, first as pads for seals on clerical documents, like letters and certificates, of the Zaporozhian Cossacks. By the mid-19th century, vytynanky had become widespread in the everyday life of villages and cities, and it continues to form an integral part of Ukrainian decorative arts.
As adornments for the home and to accompany, in particular, holidays, weddings, and other celebrations, vytynanky shapes take inspiration from nature and religion – including human, flora, fauna, and celestial motifs.
Cut with a knife or scissors from white or colored paper, vytynanky is a most exacting artform. There is no room for error or correction without having to start again. But with both patience and precision, the artist is rewarded with intricate and breathtaking forms of lace and silhouette.
Composite image: Assorted papercutting works by the Ukrainian artist Natalia Didenko: “Cool by the Water” (top); “Havana” (bottom, left); “Office Man” (bottom, right). Courtesy of the artist.
Natalia Didenko is a specialist in this traditional papercutting artform, applying age-old techniques with an individual, fresh perspective. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, but continuing her creative output from Lithuania while Russia’s invasion continues, her other media include abstract sculpture, graphic art, and designing for printed literature. She is the author of several books for children and adults.
Want to see more of her work? Check out the artist's social media for glimpses of her art:
Natalia’s artwork is a fitting tribute to the festival: Ukraine is the 2025 spotlight nation and the National Bell Festival is commissioning a new bell cast entirely from spent munitions salvaged from the war in Ukraine.
Her work follows in the steps of previous Official Festival Artists, including shodō artist Akiko Victorson (2024), muralist Keyonna Jones (2023), photographer Daniel Horowitz (2022), and watercolorist Cris Clapp Logan (2021).
Cover image: Ukrainian papercutting artist Natalia Didenko with her tool of craft: scissors. Courtesy of the artist.
