The Art of Advent: Day Twenty Three

By Katriona Hannah

With just two days left until Christmas, I will be taking you over to Eastern Europe to my home country - Ukraine. The carnival celebration of Malanka takes place on New Year’s Eve and is one of the last traditional celebrations in the winter calendar. Its roots go deep into pre-Christian times, although with time it has evolved into a mix of pagan and Christian traditions.

A still from Pamfir, a film in which the main events take place during Malanka. Image: variety.com

Malanka celebrates the metaphorical death of the old year and the birth of a new one, it also invites good fortune and harvest in the coming year. Festivities consist of a house-to- house visit by groups of girls singing carols, a feast with traditional dishes, and gatherings of people in town squares. Processions of young men wearing Malanka costumes roam the streets greeting people, singing, dancing, and performing short theatrical scenes.

The costumes have become a true staple of this winter carnival. The preparations for Malanka begin a month in advance as most costumes are handmade, constructed from natural materials such as straw, papier-mâché, leather, everyday clothes, and scraps of fabric. Malankari (those who participate in Malanka) dress up as characters from Ukrainian folklore, legends, fairy tales, Christian stories, and modern pop culture. The costumes are a unique, regional example of folk art as they often incorporate local embroideries, elements of traditional clothing, and portray figures from local folklore.

A group of malankari in the 20th century. Image: etnoxata.com.ua

In the evening, a symbolic fight between groups of men takes place, typically at the crossroads symbolising the fight between the good and evil spirits. Malanka is a carnival