On January 17, at the Cugnet Centre, the Ukrainian community gathered together to celebrate "Malanka". Malanka is the celebration of Ukrainian New Year and originated from a folk tale by a Ukrainian ethnologist.
Traditionally speaking, the Malanka commemorates the feast day of Saint Melania the Younger. In Ukraine, the night was spent with carolers going from house to house playing pranks or performing small plays.
Today, Ukrainians all over the world still follow this tradition but with different variations. The Weyburn community celebration included an evening filled with a social, dinner, dancing and draws.
Dignitaries on hand to take part in the festivities included Mary-Ann Trischuk, Danylo Puderak, Stan Ganczer, Debra Button, Evelyn Wojcichowsky, Vitali Sorokotiaguine and Jeri Fleck. The evening began with a social and followed with a delicious supper which included traditional foods like perogies and cabbage rolls. Throughout the evening, attendees bid on silent auction items and purchased raffle tickets.
Entertainment included performances by two dance groups from the local Weyburn Ukraine Dance Club. Other entertainment included Bogdan Vatsyk, who moved throughout the crowd playing his violin. Also, the Weyburn Ukraine Choir performed under the direction of Vatsyk. The evening entertainment wrapped up with a performance from Yevshan and Magic of Karpaty Musicians.
Naturally, as at any New Year’s Eve celebration, the countdown began at 11:59 p.m. and at midnight the traditional Kolomyka was performed. Participants form a circle, joining hands, turning the circle, usually counterclockwise, then clockwise, or by forming a spiral. Further into the dance, soloists perform their signature moves in the centre of the circle. What a great way to start off the New Year!
