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Ukrainian Holidays
Ukrainians love celebrating holidays. Where we once strictly observed only Soviet holidays, we now mark Orthodox religious hoidays and have joyfully accepted new Western holidays like St. Valentine's day, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day. Please read more about the Ukrainian holidays and get the feeling of them.
1 Jan New Year day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day
13 Jan Old New Year Day
25 Jan Tatiana's Day
14 Feb St. Valentine Day
23 Feb Former Soviet Army Day
8 Mar Women's Day
1 Apr April Fool's Day
27 Apr Orthodox Easter Day
1-2 May May Day
9 May Victory Day
May Kiev Day
June Holy Trinity Day
15 Jun Orthodox Pentecost
28 Jun Constitution Day
24 Aug Ukrainian Independence Day
1 Sep Knowledge Day
7 Nov. October Revolution
27 Nov Halloween
18 Dec St. Nicholas Day
24 Dec Catholic Christmas
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New Year
January 1st
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New Year is no doubt the main holiday of the year as it starts the whole holiday season. About 90% of the Ukrainians have called it their favorite holiday, so everybody impatiently waits for the beginning of the new year.
People decorate the New Year Tree, cook festive dinners, exchange presents, go to numerous New Year's parties that usually last until dawn.
The local TV channels show old time favorite movies from the Soviet era, and everybody enjoys being with famly and friends. This bright holiday is loved by people of different ages, but is especially dear to children. They believe that Ded Moroz (Santa Claus) comes this night and puts gifts under the tree, of course if they haven't been naughty in the old year. On this holiday people usually give family and friends personalized gifts.
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Orthodox Christmas
January 6h |
Christmas is celebrated on January 7th in Orthodox Christianity in accordance with the Julian calendar, which is 13 days after December 25th.
The Christmas Eve is called in Ukraine ‘Sviaty Vechir’ (Holy Evening).This is mainly a family holiday when Godchildren visit their Godparents and families gather together.
People would usually attend mass and and get blessings. They cook some tasty foods for this evening. There should be at least 12 different foods on the table with the mandatory "kutya". This symbolic food is made of various grains signifying hope, with honey and poppy seed symbolizing happiness and peace.
A thoughtful gift on this holiday would be a basket with delicious food and red wine.
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Old New Year
January 13h |
If you would believe it, the festivities continue. The New Year tree still stays at least until January 13th when people celebrate the Old New Year.
When in 1918 the young Soviet state switched to Gregorian calendar common in Europe and in North America, the Russian Orthodox church kept the tradition of Julian calendar and celebrated the New Year 13 days later.
What makes this holiday special is a tradition of "kolyaduvannya" when children visit all the houses in the neighbourhood and sing "kolyadki" - short song wishing happiness, health and wealth to the house and the homeowners. Usually the grateful homeowners give chidlren candies, cookies and some money. This tradition is similar to Halloween, but without the scary costumes.
Gifts on this holiday are optional but of course very welcome.
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Tatiana's Day
(Students' Day)
January 25th |
The Russian church marks Tatiana's Day on January 25th, named after the Christian martyr, St. Tatiana. In 1755 on this day Russian Empress Elizaveta established the first University in Moscow. They built Tatiana's church on the territory of the University and declared St. Tatiana the patron of all students. Since that time January 25th is celebrated as Students' Day.
On this day in Ukraine puplis and students leave studying early and lots of joyful parties and school reunions take place all over in Ukraine.
Usually people do not exchange gifts on this holiday, so a warm greeting to your special student would be sufficient. |
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St. Valentines Day
February 14th |
The holiday of St. Valentine's day is rather new in Ukraine, but the Ukrainians accepted in with great enthusiasm although the idea of celebrating a Catholic holiday in an Orthodox Ukraine in quite unusual.
On this day the Ukrainian cities change - they put on fancy decorations, get bright with smiles and there is love in the air. People celebrate it by visiting beautiful places, exchanging cards and gifts and spending quality time with loved one.
As everywhere in the world people exchange love letters. Flowers and chocolates are an essential part of gift giving. A basket full of chocolates would be an amazing and definitely unexpected surprise. To make a gift more personalized consider also adding a favorite fragrance or a set of elegant jewellery.
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Soviet Army Day
February 23d |
Soviet Army Day is the men's counterpart of International Women's day (whichwas celebrated on March 8th).
In Ukraine, Soviet Army Day, formerly known as Red Army day now has been renamed into Defender of the Motherland day.
Whatever the name is, the tradition to celebrate this day is strong. We congratulate all men of all ages with this day: younger boys, as the future defenders of the motherland, and adult men as the current defenders and providers. Even if you are a foreigner and you happen to be on this day in Ukraine, do not be surprised when you get congratulations too.
Usually people celebrate this day by having a nice meal at a restaurant or at home. Extended families often gather together to congratulate their men of several generations.
Traditional flowers given to men on this day would be carnations or tulips. A bottle of champagne would always be a good idea.
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International Women's Day
March 8th |
It is hard to believe that this beautiful holiday started almost 100 years ago in New York when hundreds of women went out to a demostration demanding shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights. Three years later in Copenhagen Klara Zetkin, leader of the "Women's Office" launched the first International Women's Day on that Day.
Nowadays Ukrainians celebrate this romantic holiday expressing their love, gratitude, and care for the gentler half of humankind - women. Men clean homes, cook holiday dinner, give gifts and flowers. Women would traditionally spend the day being pampered and loved. We celebrate women of all ages on this day - from little girls to the older ladies - daughters, wives, mothers, grandmothers.
You would want to choose a personal gift on this holiday, which would last a long time and so keep the memory of your love and thoughtfulness.
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Orthodox Easter
April 19th in 2009 |
Orthodox Easter is determined by the Julian Calendar and is celebrated on different dates each year.
Orthodox Easter, the most important religious holiday in Ukraine, arrives accompanied by the smells of spring, the rebirth of nature and the ground carpeted by the blossoms of cherry trees.
It begins with a 40-day fast, of the 40 days, one week is chosen for the complete fast, during that time only natural foods are eaten. During Holy Week complete fasting is to take place. Palm Sunday, which is the first day of the Holy Week, is a day when only fish and fish courses are served.
On Saturday before Easter, the food that will be served on Easter Sunday is taken to the church and blessed by the priest. Traditional colored eggs (krashanky or pysanky) and Easter cake (Paska) are the essential delicacies and parts of the sacred tradition on this day.
During Holy Week the churches are full each evening as the people follow, once more, the Passion of Our Lord. Then at midnight on the Saturday the bells ring out joyfully: the faithful, candles lit, can celebrate the Resurrection. People greet each other with triple kisses, say "Khristos Voskres" and the reply is "Voistinu Voskres".
Families gather together on this day usually visiting the eldest of the extended family.
Traditional gifts on this holiday are gifts baskets with delicacies. Often God parents give gifts to their God chidlren on this day too.
recommended gifts for children:
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May Day (Labour Day)
May 1-2 |
The 1st of May has historically been the traditional holiday of spring: a traditional Soviet-era holiday that is still celebrated today. In old times it was celebrated by numerous demonstrations of working people on the central streets of biggest cities. All workers of the Soviet Union including university and school students, were obligated to attend the parades, bringing flowers, balloons, and posters. Now in many of the CIS countries, including Ukraine, you can still find some political gathering to celebrate May Day. At this time however, this holiday has become a celebration as the day of triumph for "Nature", from which is a full bloom with birds' singing, trees budding, and multicolored flowers painting the countryside. In this celebration people look forward to warm weather and the joys of summer.
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This is a holiday of both joy and sorrow. A great tribute is bestowed to those who gave their lives during World War II resulting in today's peace and happiness. The eternal memory of those lost will last forever throughout the generations. Veterans gather together remembering their brothers who fell. Every city has an area on this holiday in which people gather called "The Eternal Fire". In Kiev it is located near the famous WWII museum and the "Motherland" Statue and Monument. The celebration includes a military parade and salutes.
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Kiev Day
last weekend of May |
Each Ukrainian city has its City Day, the day when the city was founded. Kiev Day is usually celebrated at the last weekend of May. For two days various performances of popular actors and musicians are held. Many people from the suburbs and even other towns come to Kiev to see performances, walk along nicely decorated streets and have a great time. The celebration is usually accomplished with fireworks at about 10 p.m.
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Holy Trinity Day
50 days after Easter |
Fifty days after Easter - Holy Trinity Day (Svyata Troyitsya)(or "Green Sunday") . This holiday is dedicated to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ (Easter). This event gave rise to Christianity. The meaning of the Holy Trinity is thus: God the Father laid the basis for the church in the Old Testament, the Son brought its meaning into words, and the Spirit acts within it. On this holiday people decorate their houses and apartments with Calamus (an herb) and assorted green branches. On Holy Trinity Day people go to a cemetery to visit the tombs of relatives and friends who have passed away. In this holiday has emerged the custom of leaving food on the burial tombs of loved ones though no one claims it's significance or relavance to Christianity. Traditionally people leave some vodka or other alcohol and something to eat along with it, such as a piece of bread or candy. It is considered a good sign to find that the food and drinks have disappeared upon your next trip to the cemetery! Holy Trinity Day is a very important religious holiday in Ukraine.
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Orthodox Pentecost
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Pentecost is a Christian holy day commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament of the Bible. It is also known as Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday on May 31, 2009. Christians see Pentecost as an expansion of God's favor and care from beyond only Judaism, to all peoples. Many churches celebrate Pentecost with a mass or worship service on this day. The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove.
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Constitution Day
June 28th |
On this day in 1996 the Constitution of Independent Ukraine was adopted. The present constitution was adopted at a dramatic overnight parliamentary session of June 27-June 28, 1996, semi-officially known as "the constitutional night of 1996." On the 28th of June 1996 the Constitution was confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Common to all mankind principles of democracy are embodied in the Constitution. The basic economic, social, cultural, public and political rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. According to the Constitution of Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic, social and juridical state. The adoption of a new constitution of Ukraine on the 28th of June 1996 became an important event in the life of the people of Ukraine. Fireworks and various concerts and musical events are common throughout the country.
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Independence Day
August 24th |
Independence Day is Ukraine's largest State holiday, which commemorates the adoption in 1990 of the "Declaration of Sovereignty" of Ukraine. Impressive fireworks displays and noteworthy concerts throughout the capital Kyiv and the rest of the country.
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Day of Khowledge
September 1st |
This is a serious holiday called the "Day of Open Doors" and includes all Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Institutes. It is celebrated as the time when all students begin their new year of studies. After warm summer holidays students are going back to the "Land of Knowledge". The day starts with meetings held next to each school. You'll see many nicely dressed students carrying flowers everywhere.
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October Revolution Day
November 7th |
People of former Soviet countries did and still do celebrate the November 7th as the holiday of the Great October Socialist Revolution.The term Red October has also been used to describe the events of the month. This name has in turn been lent to a steel factory made notable by the Battle of Stalingrad, a Moscow sweets factory that is well-known in Russia, and a fictional Soviet submarine. 7 November, the anniversary of the October Revolution, was an official holiday in the Soviet Union.
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St. Nicholas Day
December 19th |
On this day parents and relatives try to surprise their kids by placing small gifts, toys, or books into symbolic shoes or stockings or even under their pillows. St. Nicholas is the most well known Saint from the Kievan Russian era. People consider him first to help with any appeal and trouble. On December 19 he was beatified. Relics of St. Nicholas are kept in Bara city, Greece where people are believed to be cured by a single touch. This day opens the chain of winter holidays. Every child who behaved during the year will receive a present from St. Nicholas on this day. Nowadays it has become traditional to present gifts to every child.
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