In Ukraine, the traditional holiday symbol for the New Year for a long time was not a green Christmas tree, but "didukh". It was made of balls or the first sheaf. Dozens of bundles, separately braided with straws, were tied in a lush wreath. Although this mystical Ukrainian New Year tradition has changed over the years and developed some regional differences across Ukraine, it still preserves many old pagan attributes. The Leading the Goat ritual, sometimes called the Goat Dance, was believed to awaken nature's forces during the winter solstice and promise the coming of spring. How to decorate a Christmas tree today in the Ukrainian style? Make honey gingerbread. Cut them into different themed shapes: like snowflakes, Christmas trees, crescent moon or stars, snowman, etc. String on threads and tie on a Christmas tree. New Year’s Eve Preparations In Ukraine, New Year’s Eve is a festive occasion marked by meticulous preparations. Families clean their homes to start the new year fresh and adorn their spaces with beautiful decorations. The New Year tree (similar to a Christmas tree) is a centerpiece, decorated with ornaments, garlands, and often topped New Year is a holiday of family unity and joy. This holiday combines both religious and pagan rites but is equally celebrated by everybody in Ukraine. Most of the holiday traditions (like decorating a fir tree) are shared with other nations. But the others are typically Ukrainian and we would like to tell you about them. In the early 1930s the New Year’s tree was introduced in clubs, palaces of culture, schools, factories, and public places. At New Year meetings Party and government officials rewarded workers for their performance and delivered speeches, reports, pledges, and toasts. New Year's on December 31 - January 1 is the only national holiday observed by the government of Ukraine, with the closing of government offices, schools, post offices, and banks. When January 1 falls on a weekend day, the Monday afterward is also a holiday, making for a three-day festival. Chinese New Year's tree. In Cantonese, the New Year's tree is called Nin Fa (Chinese: 年花, literally New Year's Flower). Bamboo is just one of the New Year's trees for the Cantonese, the others being mandarin and peach. The mandarin plant is called Kat (Chinese: 桔), which is a homophone to Chinese: 吉, standing for good luck. The peach When a monument fits the country: In Kiev, a "Christmas tree" made from spent shells was installed . In Ukraine, strange monuments and various records continue to be erected on New Year's Eve. Not long ago, the largest Didukh (a festive sheaf of rye, a symbol of the spirit of the guardian of the farm) in Ukraine was erected in Lvov. The Ukrainian Christmas tree tradition is steeped in symbolism and is deeply rooted in the country's rich cultural heritage. In Ukraine, the Christmas tree is known as "Yalynka" or "Novorichna Yalynka," which translates to "New Year's Fir Tree." May every day of the New Year glow with good cheer and happiness for you and your family. Happy New Year! In the next post, you will learn about Ukrainian Christmas and New Year dishes. Oh, we have so many special meals and delicacies! Are you going to greet your Ukrainian friends or/and relatives with Christmas and New Year? Many people prepare dinners and arrange parties to celebrate the New Year. Traditionally, prior to midnight between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a presidential speech is broadcast nationally. As Ukraine approaches the New Year, many people raise a toast to drink to the New Year and as they enter the New Year, they congratulate each other. If there was a New Year’s tree in the house, the windows were closed in order to hide the tree. Dishes became simpler comparing to the beginning of the century. Ukrainians mostly served pickled products and meat/fish in aspic. Malanka (Ukrainian: Маланка, or Ukrainian: Щедрий Вечір, romanized: Shchedryi Vechir, lit. 'bounteous evening') is a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on 31 December, which is New Year's Eve in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, formerly it was celebrated on 13 January corresponding to 31 December in the Julian calendar (see Old New Year). “There were thousands of Christmas trees in these markets and we decorated the Christmas tree together with the children, usually a week before the New Year.” Olha is celebrating Christmas with her two children this year after leaving their home in Odesa, Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainians celebrate the New Year in front of Ukraine's main festive tree, installed on Sofiiska Square, as the air raid alarm sounds in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 31, 2023, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The petition against the Christmas tree installation quickly collected the necessary 25,000 votes, and the request to leave the symbol of the New Year did not find a response from the people of Kyiv. To quiet down the locals, the city administration announced that the decision will be made after consultations with the military, and benefactors Check out our ukrainian new year selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our ornaments shops. [z novym rokom] – Happy New Year! This is what you should start with. I’m certain you remember that Ukrainians celebrate New Year before Christmas. If this is brand-new information for you, hurry and read our article about holidays in Ukraine!
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.