Figure 1.-- May Day was one of the most important holidays during the Soviet era. In Western Europe May Day was a holiday celebrating the dignity of labor and the solidarity of the working man. This gave it both a social and political character, with the political character often the dominant theme. In the Soviet era, the political theme dominated and it evolved into a holiday celebrating the achievements and power of the Sovirt state. Here we see Soviet-era Ukranian school children in Kiev dressed up for May Day celebrations dyring 1978. Note the shoddy brick work of the school.

Easter is the predominant and most popular springtime feast celebrated by the Ukrainian and Russian People. Holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday, is a time of great activity in Ukrainian and Russian homes, including spring cleaning and baking Easter bread. Easter is a feast of joy and gladness that unites all Ukrainian people in common celebration. It is the most busy and cheerful holiday for Ukrainians and Russians after Christmas. Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses and the Daffodils. A time for people to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of Easter cakes and colored eggs!

New Year (January 1)

Christmas (January 7)

Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries. For the Ukrainian people Christmas is one the most important family holidays of the whole year. It is celebrated solemnly, as well as merrily, according to ancient customs that have come down through the ages and are still observed today. Christmas Eve is called in Ukraine ‘Sviaty Vechir’ (Holy Evening) sometimes also called ‘Sviata Vecheria’ (Holy Supper). People usually cook some tasty foods for this evening. There should be at least 12 different foods on the table. Those should mandatory include ‘Kutia’ -- the ritual food which is prepared from cooked wheat and special syrup containing diluted honey, grated poppy seeds, raisins and sometimes walnuts. Children this evening come around their neighbors with torches and sparclers (called Bengal lights) spreading grains and colored seeds. They wish people good health and abundant harvest for the next year and ask for some donations. Also they perform some Christmas songs called in different parts of Ukraine ‘Koliadky’ or ‘Shchedrivky’ like these: "Radujsia zemle, radujsia. Syn Bozhyj narodyvsia." -- Joy, Earth, Joy. The Son of God was born. "Dobryj vechir, Sviaty vechir. Dobrym liudiam na zdorovja." -- Good evening, Holy evening. To good people for good health. Church services start before midnight on Christmas Eve and continue until Christmas mornings. And in the morning after the church services people return home to have the rich holiday breakfast and to exchange Christmas gifts, which are the integral part of Christmas celebration.

Old New Year

Ukranians on the night of Januaey 13-14 have a special holiday, which exists only in the countries of the former USSR. It’s an Old New Year. January 13 is the same as December 31 in the "old" dates (without the day shift). So this is why this is called Old New Year. This is probably one of the unusual holidays of the Slavonic calendar still celebrated in Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and some other countries of the Former Soviet union. It is also connected with the conservatism of Slavonic people. After the 1917 Revolution, Eastern Europe switched to the western calendar. Before that time they had been 13 days behind the rest of the world. However, even though the official calendar was switched in 1920s, many people did not want to change and others refused to celebrate New Year before Christmas. This is not an official holiday but a nice opportunity to gather all together at family dinner again! A Ukranin reports, "It’s great that such a miracle holiday happens twice and we have the opportunity to congratulate those we didn’t manage to send our wishes and give our presents to on December 31. We have another great occasion to meet with dear friends and have a party dancing round about the Christmas tree."

Easter (March-April)

Easter is the predominant and most popular springtime feast celebrated by the Ukrainian and Russian People. Holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday, is a time of great activity in Ukrainian and Russian homes, including spring cleaning and baking Easter bread. Easter is a feast of joy and gladness that unites all Ukrainian people in common celebration. It is the most busy and cheerful holiday for Ukrainians and Russians after Christmas. Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses and the Daffodils. A time for people to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of Easter cakes and colored eggs!

May Day (May 1)

May Day was one of the most important holidays during the Soviet era. In Western Europe May Day was a holiday celebrating the dignity of labor and the solidarity of the working man. This gave it both a social and political character, with the political character often the dominant theme. In the Soviet era, the political theme dominated and it evolved into a holiday celebrating the achievements and power of the Sovirt state. Since independence we ar not sure how May Day is celebrated in the Ukraine. Another May day theme in Western Europe was a non-political kind of spring festival. We are mot sure if this is prevalent in the Ukraine.

Independence Day (August 24)

Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Unions (August 24, 1991). The Independence of Ukraine was a hard fought battle with the constitution not being adopted nearly 5 years after its independence. On this special day, both adults and children have the day off from work and school. There are many social activities prepared by the Municipal. During the day, people go to the free markets where they can buy everything they need. It could be a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of champagne, or a cuddly toy. Children can enjoy a big circus or different park amusements. However, the best part of the day is the fireworks in the evening. Most of Ukrainian people enjoy that show. After that, most of the young people go to parties to continue celebrating.

Haloween (October)

As this holiday is reach for traditions we can find their representation in some American holidays, for example, Halloween. Halloween isn’t widely celebrated in Ukraine, but some similar traditions are performed for Christmas.

Created: 4:37 PM 1/5/2009
Last updated: 5:52 PM 10/7/2009