You all know what a major Ukrainian wannabe I am, so I'm celebrating too -- okay, maybe not Christmas per se, but I'm celebrating Ukrainian culture. Like their fabulously ornate traditional dress (although I suspect photoshop may have been involved here) . . .
. . . their hearty stick-to-your-ribs food . . .
. . . and their high energy music! Give a listen to this wonderful traditional Ukrainian folk song performed with rock flourishes -- you'll recognize the tune as "Those Were the Days, My Friend" which is the name by which we know "Davni Chasy" in English.
Thanks to Professor Chaos at The Daily Irritant for introducing me to this music on his blog. If you want to hear more music by this British indie rock group, click here to go to his post containing more videos.
Finally, a hat that might not look ridiculous on my gigantic head! Happy Ukrainian Culture appreciation day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the heads up about the Ukrainian Culture and tradition. The Ukraine has been under attack and keeping the culture and traditions alive is more important than ever I think. I love this music and the richness of culture is conveys.
ReplyDeleteIt's Christmas here in Serbia too and in Mother Russia and in Bulgaria, and in Greece and in Belarus
ReplyDeleteLots of people celebrating here as well,
ReplyDeletebeautiful music!!
That's quite the hat,,!!!
Their culture is amazing! The colors, the intricate designs and the lively beat. :o)
ReplyDeleteAlthough not Ukrainian myself, I am celebrating with perogies as well!
ReplyDeleteThe music is fantastic. Very fun! The traditional instruments are quite cool.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be nice to go back to celebrating Christmas December 25-January 7 instead of today's Christmas starting at 6pm on thanksgiving day. Happy Ukranian Christmas to you.
ReplyDeletehmmm...I'm either still celebrating, or just haven't put up my decorations. I think I'll just declare that I'm celebrating the Ukranian Christmas...hahaha
ReplyDeleteI knew this as well for most of Eastern Europe
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas?
ahhh, Christmas still going on in certain places...very cool.
ReplyDeleteMy hubs and I just got all our Christmas decos packed away in tubs..worked all day long...then, I went into town to the drugstore and they had the cutest little 4 ft. trees on sale...90 percent off so I bought 2 4' Christmas trees for $1.29 each....I had to sneak them into the storage room so Mr. Sweet wouldn't see them and pass out.
I LOVE CHRISTMAS....xoxo
Thanks for the music....
My family is orthodox Christian, and although we've never personally celebrated Christmas on this day, I've always been aware of it because others in our circle did. And it's a celebration in Greece today, as well, where I've got tons of relatives.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this tune. So catchy. It'll be stuck in my head all day.
And you know what? My husband is 1/4 Ukrainian. His maternal grandmother was Ukrainian. Another reason for him being the most amazing man in the world :) His grandma made homemade perogies and all kinds of other delicious Ukrainian food. He's told me that she was a fantastic cook.
I follow the blog of a Canadian living in the Ukraine and here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://dablogfodder.blogspot.com/
An interesting blog.
the Ol'Buzzard
Can a person of the Slavic persuasion call their boss and proclaim it a holiday off? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteGreat and interesting thoughts. Warm greetings to you!
ReplyDeleteone of my favorite songs and never done better...musta been Ukrainian in another life cause I fecking loved that.
ReplyDeleteI'd celebrate Christmas in July if it meant perogies.
ReplyDeletewe used to get oranges and tangerines on this day. i love this music! i'm twirling!
ReplyDeleteI thought perogies were polish but I guess the Urkranians love them as well! I knew lots of Ukranians in Canada, including Boris, who is still my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's a time of feasting for my peoples.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! What a wonderful world it would be if more of us celebrated each other and our culture! Kudos!
ReplyDeleteI discovered pierogies in my adulthood - they're quite yummy! Thanks for sharing a bit of culture with us.
ReplyDeleteMy Russian colleague told me it was Christmas for the Russians today too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Chrystos Rodyvsya, Debra! Wow, what lively music, exceeded only by that spectacular wheat crowned headpiece! In Newfoundland, we called it "Old Christmas." Newfie's tended to celebrate starting by Christmas Eve (at the latest) and carrying on every day until the end of Old Christmas. I always keep my Christmas decorations up until this date. After a busy afternoon, Christmas is packed away for another year! It was a wonderful holiday season, but I'm ready to settle into a more normal lifestyle. Now for the pleasure of heading back through your blog posts I have missed! Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteHAT! Wonder if they make a gluten free version? ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL, you always make me laugh, Debra! The poor kitties in costumes were hysterical! Hope you had a lovely Christmas with your mother!
ReplyDeleteLove that Ukrianian headdress
ReplyDeleteI have an aunt that is Ukrainian. Though she was born her the culture is a big part of her life. She paints the eggs, makes the clothing, does pottery and cooks the best food ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder! I'm going to call (well, email but same/same, right?) my sister in law and wish her a Chrystos Rodyvsya!
ReplyDeleteI think we should extend all holidays so that they are two weeks long!
I don't know a lot about Ukranian culture. My friend who moved to Gibraltar told me the Spanish celebrate Christmas on the 6th of January and it's we English who are screwy.
ReplyDeleteI must share this with the Little Princess and my Piano Man--those two are always looking for more holidays (they don't care where the celebration comes from, they just do it for the food). ;-)
ReplyDeleteOooooh! Perogies!! Yum!!
ReplyDeleteLove that song..I have several Serbian friends who are celebrating Christmas..It just goes on!! Enjoy your weekend
ReplyDeleteI never knew about Jan. 7th being their day to celebrate. That headpiece is wild. Can you imagine keeping that on your head on a windy day? Lol
ReplyDeleteThat beautiful woman's head has gone to seed! In Thunder Bay there was a commercial back in the 80's where a guy called Hunky Bill sold a Perogie maker. I think it was 9.95 and you can still buy them online!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNOvWXSl-E
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Jono, I remember Hunky Bill very well. He had to fight a big lawsuit over his business use of the term "hunky," which is of course a very pejorative term for a Ukrainian. But he ultimately won and kept on selling his perogy makers under that name.
ReplyDeleteHey Debra,
ReplyDeleteAh yes, those were the days, my friend. For a moment there, I thought they were the Ukrainian equivalent to those British folk legends, Chaz and Dave.
I so miss a decent perogie. Reminds me of getting perogies from Hunky Bill's in Vancouver, although he's of Polish decent. Close enough, eh! And oops, just noted your above comment.
I shall now celebrate by having a chicken Kiev!
Take it easy, Debra.
Gary
You have THE most interesting things on your blog!!
ReplyDeleteMy son's girlfriend is from Armenia and she and her family also celebrate Christmas at the same time, around Jan. 7th.
By the way, I don't know if I said this to you, but THANK YOU for having the Bethlehemian Rhapsody on your blog for Christmas. Loved seeing and hearing it!!!
Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is indeed quite a headpiece in the first photo. Lol. That's surely enough wheat to make several loaves of bread.
ReplyDeleteAnd to tie this very neatly to your comment on my blog today, Debra, YES, those were the days, my friend!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fast tune! Got us both moving!
Thanks.
I missed this post! You made mom and I smile! You put me to shame girl! I should have put something on my blog! Perogies, borscht, kovbasa, don't get me started! LOL! Hugs!
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