Hello to everyone here! This day the Ukrainians celebrate so-called Malanka and Vasyl holiday, or the Old New Year. Sounds rather strangely or even paradoxical, doesn’t it? But this informal holiday takes a special place in Slavic culture. It is connected with the adoption the Gregorian calendar by the Russian Government in 1918, and using simultaneously the Julian calendar by the Russian Orthodox Church.

In such a way the holiday of the New Year became to be celebrated by both calendars. So-called New New Year is celebrated on January 1, and the Old New Year is accordingly observed on January 14. The Old New Year is mostly considered to be a nostalgic holiday, celebrated more informally, with caroling and traditional meals and drinks. It isn’t practical to make gifts in this day, it is believed to be a family informal holiday only.

In Ukraine there is an own tradition of the Old New Year’s celebration. This day is called Malanka and Vasyl. Malanka, or the feast day of St. Melania the Younger, is celebrated on January 13^th, the Old New Year’s Eve. The 14^th of January is considered to be the feast day of Vasyl (Basil in English) the Great, which is commemorated as one of the Saint Church Fathers. The days of Malanka and Vasyl are believed to be a folk holiday when “trick-or-treating” carol singers travel from house to house and play pranks for wealth and prosperity. Malanka and Vasyl’s  holiday means the Christmas season is actually off, and beyond is the period of severe Lent before Easter. In fact, there are many Ukrainian villages and places worth going to see Malanka and Vasyl celebrated. Every region has its own rites and customs of this holiday. For example, in some villages people bake a ritual bread called “malanka’s dish” and treat each other. The customs have in common a traditional carnival only when young Ukrainian ladies and guys put on bizarre costumes like Death, Gypsies, Warriors, and travel from house to house with a goat. They sing carols, make a noise, and perform little traditional plays and scenes in order to celebrate the last opportunity before the Lent. There is believed a good omen to kiss a beautiful Ukrainian lady in this day, so if you have a chance – don’t waste it!