New Year’s Day (Suspended) in Ukraine ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Day (Suspended) in Ukraine and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of New Year’s Day (Suspended) in Ukraine and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The history of New Year’s Day in Ukraine is quite unique. It has been celebrated since the time of Kievan Rus, which was the first East Slavic state founded by the Varangians in 882 AD. During the Soviet Union era, New Year’s Day was an official holiday. However, after Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the country suspended the celebration of New Year’s Day on January 1st and instead began to observe it on September 1st, which is the traditional Ukrainian New Year.
Today, Ukrainians celebrate the traditional Ukrainian New Year on September 1st with a variety of festivities. Streets are filled with people dressed in traditional costumes and carrying banners representing their villages. People exchange gifts, decorate homes with flowers, and share traditional Ukrainian dishes such as Varenyky (dumplings) and Holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls). Traditional activities such as folk dancing, singing carols, and attending church services are also popular during this time.
Though New Year’s Day is no longer celebrated on January 1st in Ukraine, there are still ways to observe it. One way to do so is to join in the festivities that take place on September 1st. Additionally, many Ukrainians still recognize New Year’s Day on January 1st and will hold private celebrations at home with family and friends. Finally, Ukrainians may take some time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the upcoming one. No matter how it is observed, New Year’s Day is an important time of reflection and celebration in Ukraine.