Holidays

December 1st was officially the first day of winter here in Transcarpathia. One thing I have noticed about the seasons here, is that they seem to adhere to a strict schedule (more so than in NY).
December 1st: Winter. The temperature turned super cold and we have had flurries or light snow every day since.
September 1st: Fall. The leaves began turning yellow shortly after.
June 1st: Summer. It became HOT.
March 1st: Spring. The trees actually started blooming at this time.
The seasons are definitely on a strict schedule. I like it.
And- We are looking forward to another frosty, ice-covering-everything winter. Seriously. The air has become cold, but fresh, and there is a lovely covering of white on the ground.

We are also looking forward to experiencing the Ukrainian winter holidays. This is what we have to look forward to:

19 December - St. Nicolas Day

"This day opens the chain of winter holidays. Every child who behaved during the year will receive a present from St. Nicolas on this day. Nowadays it has become traditional to present gifts to every child."*

25 December - Christmas

"Catholic Christmas is also celebrated in Ukraine, especially in her Western regions."*

 

1 January - New Year's Day

"It is one of the most favorite of all holidays in Ukraine. As in Western countries on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians give "New Year" presents, Children receive their presents under the New Year Tree on the morning of the 1st of January. Traditionally just prior to midnight there's a Presidential speech broadcast nationally. When the clock strikes Midnight, people pop open their champagne bottles and raise a toast. With the first glass they congratulate each other as the clock strikes 12 times and fireworks fill the sky. [woo hoo] The week before the New Year is a busy one with shopping, parties at work, decorating pine and fir-trees, and cooking the years most delicious meals. The main folk heroes of this holiday are Father Frost (Did Moroz) and his grand-daughter "Sniguron'ka" (The Snow Girl). Nearly all businesses remain closed from December 31st to January 8th."*

7 January - Orthodox Christmas

"The period from the 7th until the 14th of January is Saint Christmas week. During this week people go from one house to another, singing songs and wishing good wishes to health, prosperity, etc. and just having a good time. Most usually are dressed in folksy or carnival type costumes. Such activity is called "Kolyaduvannya" and "Schedruvannya". The songs are called "kolyadky" and "schedrivky". When somebody is singing these songs and greeting you, as a rule you should give them sweets or food or drinks or whatever you have as a token of appreciation. It is believed that everything that the people have sung in their Kolyadka and Schedrivka will come true.

Also during the new year holidays, up to the 14th of January it is common for kids (and sometimes adults-in the villages) to go from one house to another wishing the owner of the house new year wishes, new happiness, health, etc. All those wishes are usually said in rhymes and with the spreading of seeds, such as wheat or other grains. This shows a wish of prosperity for the house. This practice is called "Posivannya". Some token, usually food, drink, sweets, or money, is usually given in return."*

 

14 January - Old Calendar New Year

"Celebrated as a family holiday. See more above under 7 January - Orthodox Christmas."*

 

*http://bestofukraine.com/culture/holidays-in-ukraine.html

 

So if you read through all that, you might be surprised to find out that New Year's is actually the big holiday here with tree decorating, gift buying, fancy meals, parties and fireworks. I found an interesting explanation online:

"Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries. During the Soviet time it was not officially celebrated in Ukraine. Instead communist government tried to substitute Christmas with the holiday of New Year. But people did not forget their traditions. After gaining it’s independence in 1991 Ukraine started to celebrate Christmas officially as well."*
*http://www.uazone.net/holidays/christmas.html

You may enjoy this video that further explains New Year's celebrations:
Маша и Медведь: Раз, два, три! Ёлочка, гори!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd6OtRox9V8&list=PL73E786B499A54A18&index=3

I highly recommend it.

I took this photo from a Facebook page- I Love Uzhhorod-. This is the walkway along the river (not now, but some other winter).

 

Ukrainian New Year