Prepared by

Denis Shmatov
pupil of 8-A form
school № 261
In Ukraine people celebrate a lot of holidays

Like in any other country, in Ukraine, there are many diverse

traditions. Due to the cultural and religious peculiarities,
there are some unusual holidays in Ukraine.

SAINT NICOLAS’ DAY

 
When: December 19
Saint Nicolas’ Day is a winter holiday which is mostly
enjoyed by the children. On this day, parents buy gifts
and hide them under the pillow while the kid is sleeping.
Children wake up to lots of joy and enjoy the candy they
have found under their pillows 
Every kid in Ukraine is waiting impatiently for this
holiday. Everyone is trying to behave well as the holiday
is approaching. We all used to write letters to Sain
Nicolas when we were kids asking for him to bring us the
most desired gifts.
Christmas is the most beloved festival among Ukrainians when the family
gathers for a holy supper of 12 symbolic dishes. Food is one of the aspects
of culture that endures the longest.
Christmas Eve supper begins with the lighting of the beeswax candle. After a
carol and the Lord's prayer, the kutia is passed and everyone takes a spoonful.
But nobody eats yet. The head of the family raises his spoonful and greets the
family with "Khrystos Rozhdaietsia". The family answers: "Slavym yoho!"
That's the signal to start the meal.
 When: January 6
 Koliada is a traditional time during winter when friends gather and knock on the
neighbors’ doors to sing carols to them.
You may learn more about Koliada as well as related Christmas traditions, such as food
rituals, in this more detailed article about Christmas.
In Pokrova the agricultural year is over, nobody sows the winter crops.
With the holiday many signs are connected. "If on Pokrova the wind
blows from the east - winter will be cold". "If on Pokrova the wind blows
from the south, winter will be warm".
Easter is the chief Christian feast, which celebrates the resurrection of
Christ, on the first Sunday after the first full Moon that coincides with, or
comes after, the spring equinox on March 21. Ukrainians are famous for
colouring Easter eggs.
The first day of harvest was Makovii on August 14. On Makovii day
shortcakes / shulikas/ topped with honey and poppy seeds were cooked
On August 19 Ukrainians mark the holiday of ripe fruits –Spas.
On this day a sheath Rai, a wreath and fruits were consecrated. The
drinking songs were sung to Rai, the Spirit of Harvest and all who took part
in harvesting
 Independence Day in Ukraine

Since Independence Day is a public holiday, government offices, educational facilities and a lot of
businesses are closed. The blue and yellow flags are flown, and a lot of people wear colorful embroidered shirts
and dresses - vyshyvanky. 
Every city has it`s own traditions and plan of events. But the main celebrations were always held in
Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
Usually Independence Day was celebrated with a military parade on Khreschatyk. This year government
officials decided to commemorate the day Ukraine became independent in a different way. Due to the current
situation in Ukraine, in the morning of August 24th we will be honouring the heroes, who gave their lives to
protect the freedom and independence of our country.
Thank you
for
attention