Taste Ukrainian Generosity!
Скуштуйте українську щедрість!
Taste Ukrainian Generosity!
Щедрий вечір! Добрий вечір! Добрим людям на здоров’я!
Generous evening! Good evening! Good health for good people!
Malanka, or Schedryi Vechir (generous evening) – is the night when Ukrainians celebrate New Year according to the ‘old’ style. Nowadays, after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, this day is called “Old New Year” and is still widely celebrated in a traditional, mystical and ancient way with many folk rituals. The purpose of this celebration is to secure a bountiful harvest, a family’s health and a generous new year.
On this day people pamper their bodies with many delicious and filling foods. Traditionally people eat on this day “generous” kutia, pancakes and other rich food. Food places a major role in this celebration, food must be very satisfying, and it is believed that the more food is on the table the more generous next year will be.
Another key ritual is a folk theatre- Vertep. Traditionally, people dress up as Malanka, a goat, Roma, a Jew, an old woman and many other characters for this play and go from house to house in the village having fun and playing pranks.
This ritual is finished by young people carolling traditional new year songs- shchedrivkas. Probably the most popular of them is „Schedrik“, better known as „Carol of the Bells”. In 1916, Mykola Leontovych arranged a traditional new year song about the swallow flying into the household and singing of wealth that will come with the following spring.
The English version of “Carol of the Bells” is based on the Ukrainian shchedrivka melody and new lyrics that were transformed into a Christmas song by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936. This version is unfolded yearly at Christmas by its performers in all corners of the planet. „Shchedryk“ sounded and continues to sound both in Ukrainian homes and at the best concert venues in the world. This song has become a symbol of Christmas. It is performed by the most famous musicians worldwide and is heard in films and commercials.
Shchedrivka, based on which the composer Mykola Leontovych created a legendary song, conquered the world. But few people know that it has also become a symbol of the long-term struggle of Ukrainians for independence from Russia. In 2022, 100 years passed since the American premiere of „The Generous“ and 145 years since the birth of the brilliant composer Mykola Leontovich.
We invite you to spend this magical evening, full of kindness, hope and generosity with us.
Prepare your body, mind and soul for this year in the rhythm of green energy and Ukraine.
Body
Strengthen your body with traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes, such as Kutia, Golubcy, Borshch, Blinchiki, and drinks.
Mind
Fulfil your mind with inspiration and learn more about our work, and struggle for green energy & peace.
Soul
Uplift your soul – be a donor or a supporter, and enjoy the taste of Ukrainian generosity by being part of our eco-peace group!
Program:
16.00 Opening of the exhibition with Glühwein
16.30 Modern Vertep (Part 1)
And performance “Світло Усередині Нас”
17:00 Opening of the buffet (Part 1)
17.30 Vertep, part 2: Hear the voices of hope
18:00 Buffet (Part 2)
18:30 Ukrainian Dance with live music
19:00 Ukrainian Art auction accompanied by music and socializing (socializing not mandatory)
In the final part of this event, you will have a chance to purchase art pieces made by Ukrainian artists based in Berlin (@studioukraine). They are: Oleksandra Yaroshenko (@wonder.tiny); Danyila Nich (@da.nichka_); Olena Legkodukh (@olenasperling); Katerina Serbinova (@katrinb_art); Anna Serbinova; and Olena Karnatska (@elenakarnatska). Half of the collected funds will be used as donations for buying and delivering the most needed supplies to the people in Ukraine.
Save the Date!
Saturday 14. January 2023 16:00 – 21:00
Nachbarschaftszentrum „Altes Lazarett“, Friedrich-Jacob-Promenade 14, 10317 Berlin (S Bhf Rummelsburg)
Entrance free with a gift for Ukraine*
*We have already collected some donations and bought 15 power banks, power stations, 2 generators, a solar station and now we are preparing to bring them with our van to people in Ukraine. There’s still some place left and with your help, we can bring some happiness to the houses of more people. Therefore, we are inviting you to bring gifts, like rechargeable battery lamps, power banks and other things that would bring light and happiness to people in Ukraine or are simply dearly needed by the local population.
