Christmas holidays in the Carpathians, Huzulschyna. Galicia, Ivano-Frankivsk region. 2008 - 2009

Many traditions and rituals, organically included in the cycle "Christmas holidays", rooted in pre-Christian, pagan times. Thus, associated with the winter solstice holiday Slayanka "Kolyada" during the spread of christianity was timed for christmas, although nowadays carols, morning of January 7 during the first christmas carol, or bypass the church be the sun, or stand in a circle, the center of which playas the violin one or two carols. Another national and religious holiday - Malanka (Melanka), widely celebrated in Ukraine before the Old New Year. Yang people dressed in animal and folklore characters all night, "generous," walks with "goat", leads Malanka disguised as a teenager (boy will). Traditional characters - "baba" Malanka and "grandfather" Vasil in Hutsulia added to them and Hutsul Gutsulka. On the next day after Malanki - Generous evening go sow (posevat) wheat or other grains. On the eve of the Old New Year - january 13, believers celebrate Reverend Melania. Day and January 14 - St. Basil the Great. Is not this the festival takes its name. Interestingly, in Bulgaria waiting with gifts not St. Nicholas and grandfather Kalayda. The origins of this holiday and whether it is connected with the "Roman marigold", according to some scholars, and remains largely a mystery. More