Ukrainian traditions

Prepared byeTwinner from Khust, UkrainePerets Marianna

Traditions in Ukraine are interesting and unique, but diverse and still widespread!They have been stored and preserved for centuries and are still alive and popular today.

Traditions of Christmas celebrationChristmas celebrations starts at Holy night. The house is supposed to preserve Supreme purity, the atmosphere of prosperity and happiness. In the red corner, adhering to a set of rules, there is a decorated sheaf and "nest" — a nest of fragrant hay, with a pot of kutya. The whole family waits for the first star in the sky, which symbolizes the birth of Christ, to sit at the table The table is rich, but with no less than twelve Lenten dishes, as a rule.

Maslyana • Maslyana symbolizes

the end of winter and meeting with spring. According to Church tradition, it’s a week when pancakes with cheese are usually cooked. Young people make a scarecrow of winter and burn it having a lot of fun with dances and songs.

Palm Sunday (Willow Sunday)The week before Easter is called Willow Sunday. On Sunday morning people go to Church and bring willow branches which are blessed during the mass. On this day, all God-fearing people must go to Church to great Ghrist. The one who has overslept the service is then lightly beaten with the blessed willow branches with the words:• Not I am beating, the willow is beating,• Easter’s in a week!

Features of Easter celebrationIn Ukraine preparation for the f Easter celebration begins long before the date. Traditionally, before the holiday the house is cleaned, decorated it with flowers, willow branches, Easter garlands, wreaths and other relevant festive attributes. On Sunday night in the Orthodox churches the Easter service begins. During the mass, people always try to receive Holy communion and also bless the basket with food, and then hurry home to have festive breakfast.

The traditions of the celebration of Ivan Kupala

Among the traditions of Ivan Kupala (07.07) celebration, which has come our time, there is a ritual to make a fire and have fun with singing songs. In the evening, the young couples jumped over the fire holding hands. It was believed that those couples can jump and don’t let go the palm of each other will live together happily ever after. Songs of midsummer are also included in the obligatory holiday traditions. Also the girls sing the songs and throw to the water flower wreaths with candles.