On August 24, 2026, on Ukraine’s Independence Day, the official record of Germany was verified by “The Book of World Records” in Münster (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). Ukrainian women displaced by the war united to create a special spiritual protective emblem — a cross-stitched Ukrainian “Towel of Indestructibility” (Rushnyk Nezlamnosti).
According to official measurements, the towel measures 1.30 meters in width and 3.60 meters in length (the length of over 3.5 meters carries special symbolism, representing the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s Independence). The record was registered under the “Dimensions” category.
The participants were congratulated by guests of honor: Oberbürgermeister (Mayor) of Münster Tilman Fuchs and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Münster Dr. Stefan Zekorn. On the same day, the “Towel of Indestructibility” was officially blessed by Fr. Mykhailo Hutsuliak, priest of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish in Münster.
Official diplomas from “The Book of World Records” were awarded to the “Ukrainische Sprache und Kultur in Münster e.V.” association, its head Mariia Sharko, the project organizer of “Stitches of Victory” Halyna Kalyniuk, and all the craftswomen who contributed to embroidering the towel. The verification experts were Yuliia Tomkovyd, Hanna Yurchenko, and Iryna Dvorska.
The idea to create the “Towel of Indestructibility” originated in the summer of 2025 by project author Halyna Kalyniuk and received wholehearted support from Mariia Sharko, head of the Ukrainian Language and Culture Association in Münster. The foundation for the embroidery was an officially purchased pattern from the renowned British brand Vivsters (designer Vivienne Powers).
Significant contributions to the implementation of the initiative were made by Uliana Valovska (from Kolomyia), who helped deliver the necessary materials from Ukraine, and Nadiia Keibal (from Kyiv), who completed the finishing touches on the towel. Both women are also displaced in Germany and actively volunteer for Ukraine.
The towel was not embroidered in a single location — it traveled from one craftswoman to another. Each of the 21 participants embedded into her section of the embroidery a prayer for Ukraine’s defenders, Victory, and a just peace.
