Christmas traditions in Ukraine are quite different than in the USA. December 25 is a work day; Ukrainian Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The Soviet Union transformed New Year's Day into a secular Christmas, and January 1 remains the most important holiday in Ukraine.

On New Year's Eve, many people stay up all night, usually partying or simply watching TV with their family and friends. Because they believe that they will spend the year the way they welcome it, many prefer to spend the New Year in some extraordinary way. For instance, they might go somewhere far from home or just do something more exciting than watching TV. Homes are usually decorated with a yolka, a small Christmas tree. Also, people give each other presents, similar to Christmas in the West. One difference, however, is the imaginary present giver. In Ukraine, he is called Dyed Moroz (Grandfather Frost), often dressed in a blue robe, and rather thin--unlike the plump Santa Claus in the USA. He brings presents on New Year's Day and is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snyegurochka (the Snow Queen).

When the Communists took over, Orthodox Christmas was cancelled. After Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, the holiday was restored and now January 7 is an official holiday--a day off. One Christmas tradition is cooking a hot wheat cereal called kutya. It is usually served with poppy seeds, raisins, and honey. Since they keep a limited fast for the month prior to Christmas, this holiday tradition comes as a long-awaited treat for the Orthodox faithful.

Because of a mistake in the Gregorian calendar that Ukraine used for many centuries, New Year was actually celebrated about two weeks later than in the West. After the 1917 Revolution, Ukraine switched to the western calendar; Ukraine was 13 days behind the rest of the world. However, even though the official calendar was switched, many people did not want to change and others refused to celebrate New Year before Christmas. This old-style New Year's Day is still observed by many on January 14th.

Posted November 22, 2005