Sviatky (Christmastide) has always been considered one of the most joyous and fun holidays for all Slavic nations. Throughout the whole time people tried to live merrily, do something special, living every day following certain signs and divinations. Dreams, visions and signs were treated especially seriously and carefully those days, as people believed that these had special powers during the Christmas holidays. It was believed that the dreams you have on Christmas (Jan 6 go

According to ancient Ukrainian folk tradition on Christmas Eve families got together for a festive dinner. It was important that no one was late. On this day, our ancestors did not eat until the very evening. Only when one saw the first star in the sky, which, according to biblical tradition announced the good news of Jesus’ birth – Ukrainians would begin the festive meal. Although Christmas Eve falls on the last day of Christmas (often known as Pylypivsky) lent, and all meal

On Christmas Eve in every house people lit candles, fireplaces, and put wood pre-coated in honey and sprinkled with bread grains into the fireplace. It was customary to try and maintain he fire lit until the very end of Christmas festivities – ‘Old’ New Year (January 14th). Candles were believed to attract warmth and prosperity. They were also lit to honor deceased relatives – so they helped you in the new year. Burning candles are a testimony of faith, the affiliation of hum

In Slavic tradition "spiders" (павук) were traditional New Year's and Christmas ornaments. Before the Christmas holidays girls always had many tasks to complete. Besides getting ready for Malanka they also had to clean, cook and make various home decorations, like the ‘didukh’, ‘spiders’ and ‘hedgehogs’. The decorations were typically made on January 2. Girls would gather in secret, to make sure there were no men with them, and start cutting straw, stringing it on a thread an

In ancient Ukrainian tradition, a proper celebration of Christmas and New Year required serious symbolic preparations. Always, in time of harvest, people would make a Didukh, using stems of different grains (rye, wheat, oats etc.) and pick out some soft fragrant hay. One was supposed to complete all work around the household before Christmas Eve. Usually, getting ready for the holidays, people thoroughly cleaned their homes, painted flowers on the fireplace, laid the table wi

«Two hours under hypnosis» – these were the words Alan Frederich, a critic of the Royal Theatre of Copenhagen, used to start his article dedicated to the performance of the "Yunist" Ensemble he saw in Denmark in 1968. And this phrase best describes the company’s work. "Yunist" (or Youth) always has a magical, almost hypnotic effect on the audience. Such effect is achieved only thanks to the dancers’ mastery combined with the amazing productions, courtesy of the ensemble’s art

Of all the major winter holidays, St. Andrew’s Day, celebrated on December 13, is probably one of the most fun and anticipated ones. In Ukrainian tradition this was a day for young people to gather in one house for the so-called "великі вечорниці" (velyki vechornytsi) - great gatherings with music, songs, jokes and rituals. The word ‘vechornytsi’ is derived from the Ukrainian ‘вечір’ which stands for ‘evening’. The holiday itself celebrates St. Andrew the Apostle, who is con

Lusia Lydia Lubka Pavlychenko ("Miss P" to most) left a lasting mark in the world of Ukrainian folk dance not only in Canada, where she was born and lived her whole life, but also in, the far away yet very dear to her heart, Ukraine. Lusia was the eldest daughter of Dr. Tymofij and Anastasia Pavlychenko who were prominent leaders in the Ukrainian community. Lusia's mother Anastasia had taught her and her sisters Ukrainian folk dance as young girls. After being exposed to Ball