Ukrainian Motanka Dolls Tour Florida Libraries
Handmade dolls from Bakhmut, Ukraine, are traveling to Southwest Florida libraries after leaving North Port.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Puppetry
A collection of handmade Ukrainian motanka dolls came down from display at the North Port library on Oct. 31. The dolls were made by artisans from Bakhmut and will continue touring Southwest Florida locations.
Why it matters
The dolls were rescued from Bakhmut, a city that was the site of fierce fighting with Russian forces through 2023. Their traveling exhibition keeps a piece of Ukrainian craft and history visible to Florida residents.
The dolls have previously been shown in New York and Washington, and the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Branch 56, is arranging the Florida stops. Five Ukrainian churches operate in North Port, but the number of Florida stops after Venice and Sarasota has not been announced.
The players
Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Branch 56
A local branch of the national Ukrainian women's organization that is helping arrange the dolls' stops in Florida.
Bakhmut Oberig
The workshop founded by Svitlana Kravchenko that produced the motanka dolls in Bakhmut, Ukraine.
The details
A motanka is a traditional rag doll made from leftover fabric and thread, and traditionally no scissors or needles were used and the doll was given no face. The dolls are being shown at Jervey Library in Venice and the main library in Sarasota after leaving North Port.
Timeline
Oct. 31: Dolls taken down from display at the North Port library.
Through 2023: Fierce fighting in Bakhmut with Russian forces.
Each February: Southwest Florida Ukrainian Festival is held in North Port.
January: A motanka-making workshop is planned.
Big Picture
Traditionally, faceless motanky were considered talismans, and people believed that adding a face would trap the individual's spirit. The Florida tour carries that folk tradition, reshaped by the wartime rescue of the dolls, into American public libraries.
Residents can see the dolls at Jervey Library in Venice and the main library in Sarasota after their North Port display. The January workshop offers a hands-on way to make a motanka.
The takeaway
Handmade traditions can travel far from their origins and still carry meaning for new audiences. Visiting a local library exhibit is a simple way to see a piece of Ukrainian craft up close.
What happens next
A motanka-making workshop is planned for January, where people can make their own dolls.
Further reading
Explore more Puppetry coverage from across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGCU News | PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida.
