Ukrainian HolidaysPart I

[fiːst]святкування
Holy ['həulɪ]Supper ['sʌpə]Святвечір
wheatberry ['wiːtberɪ]зерна пшениці
poppyseed['pɔpɪ siːd]макові зернятка
carol ['kærəl]різдвяна пісня
wealth [welθ]багатство
crepe [kreɪp]млинець
Every country has its own holidays. They mark special events in the life of the whole
state. At the same time, traditional celebrations symbolize the beauty and joy of living. So let’s
have a look at the calendar of the most important holidays in Ukraine.
The first big holiday of the year is Christmas. It’s a feast of Christ’s birth and it’s
celebrated on the eve of 7th of January. The whole family gather for the Holy Supper –
SviatVechir. Traditionally women cook 12 meatless and milkless dishes. The most important
dish of the supper is kutia cooked with wheatberries, poppy seeds, honey and nuts. The
important part of the celebration is singing Christmas carols – koliadky. Children (and in some
regions grown-ups) go from door to door wishing others health and wealth.
Februarybrings Masliana – the time to say goodbye to winter. The favourite kinds of food
during the Maslianaweek are thin pancakes (crepes) and varenyky with cheese and lots of
butter.
Spring has got exciting celebrations, too. 8th March marks the International Women’s
Day full of flowers and compliments. April or early May is the time for Easter – Velykden’.
Christians believe that on that day Christ rose from the dead. Ukrainians have wonderful Easter
traditions. Firstly, they beautifully decorate Easter eggs of different types: pysanky, krashanky,
driapanky, maliovanky, biserky and others. Secondly, it’s a custom to make special Easter
bread – Paskha.
 Ukrainian HolidaysPart II

trinity ['trɪnətɪ]трійця
branch [brɑːnʧ]гілка
herb [hɜːb]трава
connected [kə'nektɪd] withпов'язаний з
wreath [riːθ]вінок
Ukraine’sDefender[dɪ'fendə] DayДень захисника України
honour ['ɔnə]вшановувати
lookforwardtoз нетерпінням чекати на
St. NickolasDay [seɪnt 'nɪkələs]День Святого Миколая
well-behaved [ˌwelbɪ'heɪvd]чемний, вихований
rod [rɔd]різка
Summer holidays begin with the Holy Trinity Day or Green Sunday. People decorate
their houses with branches, flowers and herbs as symbols of life. On the night of 6-th July
Ukrainians celebrate IvanKupalaNight (Midsummer). Its rituals are connected with water, fire
and herbs. Young men and women jump over bonfires holding hands. Girls throw flower
wreaths onto the water and their beloved try to catch them. Summer is also the time for two
important state holidays – Constitution Day on 28 June and Independence Day on 24 August.
14 October is a special date for our country, too as it marks Ukraine’s Defender Day. On
that day Ukrainianshonour all those who fought and are fighting for the state sovereignty.
With the year coming to an end, there are still some festive events for children. Every
Ukrainian boy and girl is looking forward to St. Nickolas Day. On 19 December well-behaved
children find sweet presents under their pillows. Those who misbehaved, however, may getrods
instead. St Nicholas day is also the time for us to show our generosity to orphans and
underprivileged children. And finally, on 31 December New Year’s Eve comes filling everyone
with joy and happiness. It’s time for presents, fancy-dress parties,street performances and
fireworks.