Malanka and Vasyl – ‘Old New Year in Ukraine

Malanka is the New Year’s Eve according to the Julian Calendar. On this day it is customary to sing schedrivky (Ukrainian traditional songs with wishes of prosperity and good health to the hosts of a house). Groups of young people dress up as different characters, wear masks and walk from house to house showing their mini-performances and wishing the hosts good health and prosperity. The traditional characters are: