The Hutsul people of the Ukrainian Carpathians have one of the most distinctive folk craft traditions in eastern Europe. In and around Vorokhta you will find woodcarving, embroidered textiles, handwoven woollen goods, and pysanky — the ornately decorated Easter eggs that are among the most recognisable symbols of Ukrainian culture. These are not tourist reproductions: most items sold in the local market and by individual craftspeople are genuinely handmade by village families.
The weekend market near the town centre is the best place to find craft goods. Prices are reasonable by European standards, and buying directly from the maker is the norm. Look in particular for the carved wooden household objects — spoons, bowls, boxes — decorated in the Hutsul geometric style, and for the embroidered linen blouses and shirts. The embroidery patterns differ subtly by village, and an experienced eye can place where a garment was made.