malanka

Malanka, or Malanka night, is a traditional Ukrainian folk festival associated with the Christmas season and the eve of the Old New Year. It is most common in western and central Ukraine and among Ukrainian communities abroad. The celebration typically takes place on the night of January 13–14 in many regions, aligning with the Julian calendar’s Old New Year.

The core of Malanka involves groups of young people traveling from house to house, performing improvised plays, singing folklore songs, and reciting humorous verses. Performances often include short sketches that parody village life or current events, and are accompanied by percussion and wind instruments. Participants may carry props, masks, or a decorated figure representing the central character Malanka.

Costumes are elaborate and varied. The central figure, Malanka, is usually depicted as a bright and ornate character, often accompanied by other folkloric figures such as a Chort (devil), animals, or mythical beings. The troupe may seek hospitality, offering entertained performances in exchange for treats or small gifts.

Malanka functions as a social rite intended to entertain, foster hospitality, and promote good fortune for the coming year. It has roots in pre-Christian and Christmas-time traditions and has experienced changes and suppression at various times in the 20th century, but it has persisted and been revived in many communities. Regional variants exist with local songs, costumes, and motifs, and in modern times Malanka appears in cultural events, festivals, and school programs, reflecting Ukrainian cultural heritage and community identity.