A conventional embroidered shirt, or vyshyvanka, worn by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on a special occasion in Could was offered for $100,000 at a charity public sale to assist the nation's battle within the warfare in opposition to Russia.

On Could 19, Ukrainians celebrated Vyshyvanka Day, an annual vacation marked by the carrying of colourful, conventional, embroidered clothes.

A vyshyvanka worn by Zelensky this 12 months amid the warfare was auctioned off Friday on the Ukraine Home cultural middle in Washington, D.C., as a part of a charity occasion held by United24, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

United24 is an initiative of Zelensky's that launched "as the principle venue for accumulating charitable donations in help of Ukraine," in line with its web site. Donated funds "cowl essentially the most urgent wants," listed as protection and demining, medical assist and the trouble to rebuild.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Vyshyvanka
A vyshyvanka worn by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on a vacation in Could introduced in $100,000 at a charity public sale to assist the nation’s battle in opposition to Russia. Above, he attends a gathering on the 2022 Munich Safety Convention on February 19 in Munich, Germany. MATT DUNHAM/POOL/GETTY IMAGES

Zelensky's vyshyvanka was offered to the legislation agency Asters USA for $100,000, VOA reported.

In a video deal with on the occasion, Zelensky requested attendees to help United24.

"Ruins are all that Russians depart behind," he mentioned, in line with VOA. "However individuals want to return someplace—proper now, right now. That is why I initiated the particular United24 platform."

Zelensky mentioned the initiative is about greater than fundraising and that it's going to additionally ship a message to Russia that good will overcome "evil."

Friday's occasion included a report by members of the group, who spoke about latest donations to Ukraine.

"In 4 weeks, $24 million was raised by United24," mentioned Ukraine's Mikhail Fedorov, deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, in line with VOA. "The biggest variety of donors is from the USA. We obtained donations starting from $20 to $1,000. And each greenback counts."

Newsweek reached out to Zelensky for extra data.

Vyshyvankas, in line with the state-run Ukrainian information company Ukrinform, characterize certainly one of "the brightest symbols of the Ukrainian tradition."

Ukrinform studies Vyshyvanka Day was began by historical past, political science and worldwide relations college students at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi Nationwide College in Chernivtsi in 2006. It's celebrated on the third Thursday of Could.

As residents marked Vyshyvanka Day this 12 months amid the destruction of warfare, a minimum of 500 newborns in "the frontline areas" have been wearing conventional clothes supplied by the Ukrainian Ministry of Well being, New Voice of Ukraine information outlet reported.

And on Fb, Zelensky famous the significance of celebrating the vacation, saying the vyshyvanka is Ukraine's "sacred talisman on this warfare."