Ukrainian Winter Festivals: Faith, Music, Traditions - Virtual (Folk Arts@UHEC)

Have you ever wondered why or how our Ukrainian Christmas customs are different from American customs?  Which Ukrainian tradition is similar to Halloween? Why is it that many of our English Christmas Carols describe customs which are still alive in our Ukrainian tradition, but have died out in our American society?  And why should we care about all this, anyway?

During this presentation we will take a leisurely walk through the Nativity season, beginning with advent, St. Nicholas, and the Nativity, New Year’s, and Theophany celebrations.   We will encounter the music, rituals, and tradition associated with these celebrations, and discover the meaning they held for our forebears and the meaning they have for us today.  With the aid of videos, recordings, and printed materials participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon and become more deeply acquainted with the beauty of Ukrainian Winter Festival Celebrations.

About Fr. Bohdan Hladio: Fr. Bohdan Hladio is a Ukrainian Orthodox priest who has had an abiding interest in Ukrainian folklore since his youth.  Before becoming a priest he was active as a Ukrainian dancer, choreographer, and musician, and has helped direct Ukrainian cultural program at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Encampment of Teenage Conference (All Saints Camp, Emlenton, PA) for decades.

Folk Arts Programming at the UHEC is free to view. Donations are gratefully accepted.