Presentation

Ukrainian Christmas

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 "Hello, everyone!
Today, we'll delve
into the rich and
unique Christmas
traditions celebrated
in Ukraine."

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 VOCABULARY

Vertep Caroling Spider Kutia

Didukh Yalynka Folk elements Sviatyi Vechir

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 UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS

Ukrainian Christmas is steeped in traditions,

combining religious customs with folklore. Let's
explore the distinctive elements that make
Ukrainian Christmas special.

In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January

7th according to the Julian calendar, creating a
festive atmosphere that extends well into
January.

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SVIATYI VECHIR

The main Christmas Eve meal, Sviatyi

Vechir, involves a twelve-course
vegetarian feast, symbolizing the twelve
apostles. The meal starts after the first star
appears in the sky.

Kutia, a sweet grain pudding, is a central

dish during Sviatyi Vechir. It symbolizes
unity and the importance of sharing a
common bowl.

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CAROLING - KOLYADKY AND SHCHEDRIVKY

Caroling is a cherished tradition with groups of

children and adults singing Kolyadky and
Shchedrivky (Christmas carols) to wish prosperity
and good fortune to households.

Caroling involves groups of children, adults, or

entire communities visiting homes to sing these
traditional songs.

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It's a communal activity, fostering a sense of unity and
shared celebration.

Purpose:
The primary purpose of caroling is to bring joy, good
fortune, and blessings to households.
It's a way of spreading the spirit of Christmas and
sharing positive energy with neighbors and friends.

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DIDUKH AND VERTEP

Didukh, a sheaf of wheat or other grains, is an essential

decoration representing the harvested crop. It symbolizes
prosperity, good fortune, and the spirit of the ancestors.

Vertep, a portable puppet theater, presents scenes from the

Nativity story. It's a lively and interactive tradition, often
performed by children or community members.

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RITUALS

The Holy Supper is accompanied by various

rituals, including breaking bread for unity, the
lighting of candles, and the opening of the kutia,
symbolizing the sharing of prosperity.

Ukrainian Christmas trees, called 'Yalynka,' are

adorned with traditional decorations like
spiders and spider webs, symbolizing good luck
and a prosperous year.

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CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS ACROSS REGIONS

Different regions of Ukraine may have unique customs and

variations in celebrating Christmas, adding to the cultural
diversity of the country.

Ukrainian Christmas is a time of warmth, family, and

centuries-old traditions. It's a celebration that beautifully
blends religious and folk elements.

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Now it’s time for questions:

1. When is Ukrainian Christmas celebrated?

2. What is the significance of the twelve-course vegetarian feast
during Sviatyi Vechir?
3. What does Kutia symbolize in the context of Ukrainian
Christmas?
4. Who participates in caroling during Ukrainian Christmas?
5. What is the purpose of caroling?
6. What does Didukh represent as a decoration during
Ukrainian Christmas?
7. How are Ukrainian Christmas trees decorated?

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MATCH

1. didukh 5. caroling
2. Sviatyi Vechir 6. kutia a. going from house to house singing Christmas songs or carols.
3. folk elements 7. yalynka b. a decorated evergreen tree, similar to a Christmas tree, that is
8. vertep traditionally used as part of Ukrainian Christmas celebrations.
4. spider
c. decoration for the Christmas tree in Ukraine symbolizing good luck
and a prosperous year.
d. the Holy Supper, a traditional meal eaten on Christmas Eve in
Ukraine.
e. a symbol of prosperity and good harvest, usually made of wheat
stalks tied together and placed under the Christmas tree.
f. cultural customs, traditions, and practices passed down through
generations within a specific community or society.
g. a traditional Ukrainian dish made of wheat, honey, and poppy
seeds, often served during Christmas.
h. a portable puppet theater used to perform religious plays during
the Christmas season in Ukraine.
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 FILL IN THE GAPS

yalynka (2), sviatyi vechir (2), folk elements, vertep, spider,

caroling, kutia , didukh

1. Every year, we make a traditional _____(1)for Christmas dinner.

2. The _____(2) is a popular form of puppet theater during the
holiday season.
3. Our family loves going _____(3) on Christmas Eve.
4. My little sister is afraid of the _____(4) ornament on our _____(5).
5. The _____(6), a symbol of fertility and prosperity, is often placed
near the Christmas tree.
6. We decorate our _____(7) with traditional Ukrainian ornaments
passed down through generations.
7. During _____(8), we gather around the table filled with traditional
dishes and _____(9).
8. On _____(10), we follow the tradition of leaving an empty seat at
the table for a wandering soul.
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UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

1. What influenced Ukraine to celebrate

Christmas on the 25th of December?
2. What is the significance of the number 12
in Ukrainian Christmas traditions?
3. Why are empty plates left on the table
during Christmas dinner?
4. How do Ukrainians celebrate the birth of
Jesus through symbolic poems?

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 TRUE OR FALSE QUIZ
1. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on the
7th of January.
1. The celebration of Christmas on the 25th of December became a
national holiday in Ukraine in 2017.
2. Before Christmas, Ukrainians follow a 40-day fasting period
where they are not allowed to eat certain foods.
3. On Christmas Eve, the number of dishes on the table must be 7 or
more.
4. Kucha is a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dessert made with
boiled wheat and barley.
5. Ukrainians leave empty plates for deceased relatives and family
members who are not present.
6. Ukrainians traditionally invite poor or homeless people to eat
during Christmas to ensure a prosperous year.

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 Thank you for joining our
exploration of Ukrainian
Christmas traditions.
Wishing you all a festive and
joyous holiday season!
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 Keys
MATCH TRUE OR FALSE
1. e 2. d 3. f 4. c 5. a 6. g 7. b 8. h 1. True
2. True
3. True
FILL IN THE GAPS 4. False - According to Old Ukrainian
1. kutia Traditions, the number of dishes
2. vertep on a Christmas table must be 12 or
3. caroling more.
4. spider 5. True
5. yalynka 6. True
6. didukh 7. True
7. yalynka
8. sviatyi vechir QUIZ
9. folk elements
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. A 6. B 7. D
10. sviatyi vechir
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