A few select photos from the
CYM Malanka in Mississauga last night. It was a great night, some say the best Malanka ever and it took me all day to recover 
[Thanks Facebook]
Malanka is a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on January 13th, which is New Year’s Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar. Malanka commemorates the feast day of St. Melania. On this night in Ukraine, carolers traditionally went from house to house playing pranks or acting out a small play (similar to “Vertep” — see above), with a bachelor dressed in women’s clothing leading the troop. Malanka caps off the festivities of the Christmas holidays, and is often the last opportunity for partying before the solemn period of Lent which precedes Easter.
[ Ukrainian American Society of Texas]
The celebration of Malanka symbolizes the beginning of Spring being released from captivity and on her arrival bringing the flowers and greenery to life again. This tale is clearly similar to that of Persephone in Greek mythology who was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. In Latin she was known as Proserpina. The story may indicate a cultural link between ancient Greek civilization and ancient Ukraine, since Greek colonies flourished on the Black Sea coast 2,500 years ago. In North America it is traditional for Ukrainian organizations such as Business and Professional Clubs to celebrate Malanka with a banquet and a dance.
In the evening before the Malanka night, young men put on all kinds of costumes, some of them weird and bizarre — Devils, Warriors, Police, Witches, Old Women and Men, Death, Blacksmith, Jews, Gypsies, Turks, Hutsuls and representatives of other nationalities. All of these people in their disguise move from house to house performing their little plays and improvisations for those who would care to see their performance. They make very much noise, and in addition to music, they play practical jokes on people — but no one ever gets harmed in any way. Well, the celebrants can attempt to kiss a beautiful girl, or do some mischief, but it’s all in jest.
I’m glad I have my ticket!
Here are some more articles that came out of the media for Christmas. I know there are still a few of you who are celebrating this weekend, so enjoy!
Roman said the family, while still celebrating the “commercial Christmas” on Dec. 25, works together to keep their Ukrainian Christmas tradition alive by celebrating each year.
Anna said the family works hard to maintain tradition, although it can be difficult with so many people celebrating Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar.
She said it’s important for her children to know “where they came from,” and the traditions derived from their heritage.
“It defines who you are,” Roman said of one’s background. “We call ourselves Ukrainian-Canadians.”
Christmas has a special place in the lives of many Ukrainian Canadians, Luciw said.
“It is a time to appreciate the many blessings we enjoy and cherish, including our loving families, our sense of Ukrainian community and our Christian faith.”
Eastern churches celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7.
While many Christians are preparing to take down their trees, Orthodox Christians — and some Catholics around the world — are celebrating Christmas this week. [Thanks UkeMonde]
Unfortunately some news media still get it wrong that it’s not only Orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7th but Eastern Rite Catholics as well:
Clad in traditional outfits, children stroll during Orthodox Christmas Eve celebrations in the centre of the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. — PHOTO: AFP
Not sure about this one, but the majority of Lviv’s residence are Catholic (Eastern Rite) and celebrate Christmas on he same day.
Hogmanay has passed. So has Ukrainian Christmas…
Published: January 06, 2010 3:00 PM
Веселих Свят! Enjoy your Holy Supper tonight! Still don’t know what Ukrainian Christmas is about?
Update: If you need some Christmas music for your meal tonight, here are some traditional carols.
Just a quick post today with a some notable items:
A special Christmas message from Nash Holos:
The Monsignor is making an appeal for Ukrainians to keep their Christmas traditions alive. “Therefore I’m appealing to all Ukrainian Canadians to be proud of celebrating our Christmas differently but at the same time culturally rich and saintly, starting with the Holy Supper on Christmas Eve and attending Holy Ukrainian Mass on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m., not forgetting Holy Confessions and Holy Communion at the Ukrainian St. Vladimir Church in Kirkland Lake.”
“Everyone in Ukraine — Catholics, Orthodox, whatever — shares the same meal that night,” said Andrew Lastowecky, a Ukrainian-American who has been a regular at Veselka since the 1950s
…
Veselka is particularly famous for its pirogi, although that is the Polish term for the plump dumplings more properly called varenyky in Ukrainian. “I challenge Tom on nomenclature all the time,” Mr. Lastowecky said. “There are those who would be offended to see the word ‘pirogi’ on a Ukrainian menu.”
Came home to find these gems for tomorrow’s Christmas feast. Baba and her long days of making the entire dinner from scratch have unfortunately passed on in these modern times, but while all members of the family are busy with school and work at least in Toronto there exists Future Bakery and Natalie’s Kitchen ( see them featured on local TV) to keep the tradition going strong.
Kalach (braided loaves of bread)
‘Mak’ or poppy seed bread
A fridge full of varenyky (perogies), borsch and kutya (buckwheat)
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