Iza: The Heart of Ukrainian Wicker Weaving

Photo by: Anna Voitenko

Amidst the Carpathian ridges, on the plains of Transcarpathia, lies the unique village of Iza. Home to over five thousand residents, almost everyone here practices the art of wicker weaving. It is not just a craft but a way of life and a tradition passed down through generations.

In Iza, willow is grown, harvested, boiled, and woven into everything from baskets and furniture to charms and Easter ritual items. Instead of vegetables, the fields are filled with willow bushes, and every spring, the entire village gathers for pruning. The harvested willow is boiled in large cauldrons, sometimes with holy water added. Smoke rises above the village, accompanied by the hum of chainsaws and the snip of shears.

Between 2006 and 2008, photographer Anna Voytenko immersed herself in this world, creating the photo story “Iza” that captured the village’s life from within. She spent time among the artisans, observing how their hands create true art, becoming part of the process herself.

In Iza, everyone weaves — from priests to schoolchildren. Here, people believe that the willow is a source of energy and longevity. Perhaps that is why the people of Iza live long lives, with strong, sinewy hands shaped by their craft.

The village’s greatest pride is its Easter baskets, which artisans begin weaving as early as February. It is believed that the first basket of the year brings good luck. These ritual items are created in silence, with prayer, without swearing or singing. The best willow rods are woven into patterns, each carrying its own meaning. Some families have secret weaving patterns that they do not share with outsiders.

“We make all kinds of baskets — round, square, openwork, and dense,” says craftswoman Mariya Shumikha. “Every family has its secrets, and competition only sharpens our skills.”

Iza is a place of strength, tradition, and inspiration. It is where handcrafted beauty is born, a beauty rare in Europe, which we now have the honor of bringing into your home.

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