Ukrainian artist Anna Frolova: My main goal is to preserve the technique of wreath weaving as our great-great-grandmothers did it

Anna Frolova is a Ukrainian artist whose career with the Virsky National Folk Dance Ensemble inspired her to create her own brand of traditional Ukrainian wreaths, “Poleva”. From childhood, Anna was involved in dance as part of the Ukrainian ensemble "Barvinochok". Her parents dedicated their lives to choreography, and it was her experience with the Virsky Ensemble that motivated Anna to establish her own brand. Over more than 20 years as a ballet artist, Anna has restored many wreaths, and a year ago, she began crafting them herself. She shared with Drive Music Media her thoughts on preserving the traditional art of wreath weaving, promoting Ukrainian culture abroad, and her inspiration for creating these wreaths.

Interviewer: You are a ballet artist with the Virsky Ensemble, but you are also a craftswoman. Tell us, why did you decide to combine these two fields – choreography and crafts? When and how did you decide to start creating Ukrainian accessories, such as wreaths?

Anna: I've been working with the ensemble for over 20 years, and during this time, I've restored many of our stage wreaths. When the war began, the whole world became interested in Ukraine – its culture and symbols gained popularity. Patriotic and symbolic items started to be requested abroad, especially handmade ones, which are highly valued. Often, I would see ads for wreaths, but most were not woven – they were glued onto headbands. I thought, why not try to make a real woven wreath, like our ancestors once did? I realized I already had a clear plan in my mind for creating a wreath, from the frame to the last leaf. With this desire, in my free time after work, I went to a craft store, bought all the materials, selected ribbons by color, and wove my first wreath. It turned out beautifully and authentically – a woven, protective wreath. I carefully wove each flower, leaf, and stamen with love, imbuing it with only positive energy. That’s when I decided that I would make wreaths, because the process brings me incredible satisfaction and joy. I wanted to show people that a true wreath should be woven. And so, I began creating these beauties less than a year ago.

Interviewer: What materials do you use for your creations? Do you pay attention to symbolism, or do you create designs based on your own inspiration?

Anna: To make a wreath, I need wire for the frame, various fabric flowers, stamens, decorative berries, and leaves. The important thing is that each element has a wire base, allowing it to be woven into the frame. I finish by securing everything with floral tape. Then I add colorful ribbons, and the wreath is ready. I make both symbolic and more modern wreaths, depending on what comes to mind. But some wreaths I make to order for a specific look, like an embroidered shirt, dress, or stage costume. In those cases, I discuss with the customer whether they want the wreath high, thorny, and in what colors. The rest are entirely my own designs.

Interviewer: Tell us about your brand name. Why "Poleva"?

Anna: Poleva is my maiden name. So I didn’t have to think for long, and my friends and I came up with the brand name together. In school, they used to call me "Poleva Flower". In my family, we’re all girls, and our maiden name ended when we all got married. So, this became an opportunity to preserve our family name. It turned out to be quite symbolic.

Interviewer: We know that your tour in Taiwan will soon end. Share your impressions of this event. What was the preparation process like for such an important event?

Anna: Every tour preparation involves exhausting rehearsals. We focus professionally on every movement, working on our skill level to convey the story through dance as clearly as possible. After all, dance is the language of the soul. Our tour is almost over. Taiwan is an amazing and interesting country with warm, friendly people. Their hospitality is beyond words. Our concerts were sold out, and the audiences warmly received us. At the end of each concert, during the national anthem, people stood, applauded nonstop, or placed a hand over their heart and cried along with us. They understand, as their country has been in conflict with China for years and could also face war. This tour happened thanks to the organizers from Taiwan and the Japanese company Min-On, who organized our two-month tour of Japan last summer. Together, they created the best possible conditions for us. Nowhere else in the world have we had such comfort as we did in Japan and Taiwan, and we are deeply grateful. To express our gratitude, I gave them some of my wreaths, so now an authentic Ukrainian accessory will be in museums in Japan and Taiwan, a constant reminder of Ukraine.

Interviewer: Tell us about your path to becoming a ballet artist with the Virsky Ensemble. How did it all start?

Anna: My parents brought me to dance at the age of four to a children’s group called "Barvinochok". At that time, my father was already working as a ballet artist with the Virsky Ensemble, and my mother had graduated from the ensemble’s studio. So, it was clear that they would guide me toward choreography. When the dance school at the Virsky Ensemble opened, I was immediately transferred there, where I was taught professional folk dance and classical ballet. After graduating from the Virsky School, I joined the ensemble’s studio, where they trained professional artists for the ensemble over two years by studying the ensemble’s repertoire. I joined the ensemble at 16, and I even had the chance to perform with my father for a year before he retired. In 2018, I received the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine. I now have 22 years of experience with the ensemble and 20 years as a ballet artist, so I can confidently say that it’s time to retire, as the heavy workload is taking its toll.

Interviewer: How challenging is it to develop your own business in the current realities of Ukraine? What is the easiest and hardest part of this work?

Anna: Perhaps the hardest part is finding customers, because the primary audience interested in these items often cannot afford a wreath at the price I set. Those who can afford it simply don’t know about me yet since I’m new to this field. I need to convey how high-quality these wreaths are, that they’re made with heart and love, and most importantly, that each is unique. This takes years of dedication, and I’m fully committed to it right now – creating ads, organizing photo shoots, and donating wreaths to museums in other countries. Selling wreaths at cost isn’t feasible since this is painstaking and challenging work. The easiest part for me is coming up with the wreath design itself. I have so many ideas that I’m not sure when I’ll bring them all to life.

Interviewer: Admirers of your wreaths have emerged abroad as well. Tell us about the first order you sent outside Ukraine.

Anna: When I first created my page and posted the initial photos of the wreaths, my sister, who lives in Canada, reached out. She ordered two wreaths for herself and her daughter, and when they arrived, she said she’d never seen anything like them and that she and her daughter would be the most beautiful Ukrainian girls in Canada. A couple of months later, I sent an entire batch of my first wreaths to Canada for the Ukrainian diaspora and beyond.

Interviewer: As an artist creating national accessories, do you have a specific goal, or do you simply create what you desire?

Anna: My main goal is to preserve the technique of wreath weaving as our great-great-grandmothers did it. It’s an incredible and almost magical process. They would sing or pray while weaving, imbuing each wreath with a unique energy, which is why wreaths were always considered protective charms, believed to have healing powers. Most importantly, they serve as physical evidence of Ukraine’s long history. Preserving our culture is a great honor for me, both as an artist with the national ensemble and as a craftswoman of Ukrainian floral accessories. Today, many artisans have simplified the wreath-making process. Often, they glue each flower, leaf, or berry to the headband. When they need a tall wreath, they add a cardboard base to the headband and glue flowers onto it. I, on the other hand, weave each of my wreaths on a wire frame that I make myself. Even when ordered as a headband, I weave each flower onto it. And, of course, I do all of this with great love, as I am truly passionate about this work.

Interviewer: What single word would you use to describe what you create? Why?

Anna: Child, because everything I create is born solely from my imagination. When I bring it to life, I treat each piece as if it were my own child.

Interviewer: What are your plans for expanding your brand?

Anna: Maybe someday I’ll open my own store, where everyone who walks in will find an accessory for themselves or as a gift. Such gifts never go unnoticed.

Pictures were taken by Lubov Alexandrova and Poleva Brand