Folk Arts - Master Artist - Marta Korduba

Marta Korduba is a master artist specializing in Ukrainian ritual bread. Ritual bread preparation has been central to the lives of Ukrainians for centuries. Breads are elaborately decorated with symbolic motifs and greens, often also embellished with ribbons, flowers, and berries, ending up as grand and colorful sculptures worthy of preservation. Specific types of bread mark baptisms, weddings, the change of seasons, and religious holidays. From their wheat-based ingredients to their floral decorations, these breads symbolize abundance, and are of spiritual significance to Ukrainian culture. Marta learned to make traditional ritual bread from her mother, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine after World War II.

In the United States and Ukraine, industrialized, fast-paced lifestyles have contributed to a decline in the practice of baking ritual breads. Often, breads are bought in stores, and those who know the recipes and symbolism for these breads are elderly and have not passed their tradition on to the younger generation. In western Washington the Ukrainian community has suffered a loss of the older generation of women who provide ritual breads for key holidays. Now, younger members of the community have expressed an interest in learning this tradition, and among them is Diane Kiriluk of Kirkland.

As a recipient of a 1995 Apprenticeship, Korduba taught Diane Kiriluk how to prepare ritual breads. As part of Diane’s apprenticeship, she provided the ritual breads to Ukrainian celebrations in the community. As a third-generation Ukrainian American, Kiriluk has been acquainted with the cultural significance of the breads since childhood.