CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN UKRAINE

Alina Lemak,Ira Honcharova,Anita Lemak,Slavka Haborets,eTwinners from Ukraine

Traditions of celebrating Christmas go back to the pre-Christian times and have many unique customs and rituals

The most important thing – it has always been a family holiday!

Decorations

Traditions of decorating the dwellings have changed much and have become more international. In almost every house you will see a Christmas Tree.

Decorations But still in many

regions, especially in the west and north the main decoration of the Holy Eve is DIDUKH – a sheaf of wheat or rye, put at the holiday table or in the corner under the icons

Holy Supper

Many families follow the old tradition to prepare 12 meatless dishes and to sit at the table when the first star appears in the sky.

Kutia

The main dish of the Holy Supper is kutia. It is prepared of wheat and raisins, nuts, poppy seeds and fruit.

At midnight Christmas mess starts and jolly

chimes announce the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Carols

One of the most amazing traditions is singing Christmas carols.

These are usually children who start caroling since morning

Christmas Carols

Children gather in groups and wear old clothes dramatizing the scenes from the Bible.

These groups are called Vertep.

Merry Christmas,dear eTwinners!

Best wishes from Ukraine!