5 Malankas in Ukraine

One of the famous villages of the Frankivsk region, Beleluia has preserved the traditions of Malanka. The carolers of the three parts of the “corners” of the village, dressed in the authentic costumes of the goat, death, devil, Vasyl, Malanka and bears, go from house to house singing the old carols. At lunch, the Malanka participants gather in the center of the village or city, to show their strength; especially spectacular are the fights of bears who fight in suits made of a grasslike plant called sedge, that weigh up to 50 kilograms.

Repeated winners of local Malanka competitions, young participants gather every year to celebrate Malanka in Sukhoverkhiv. The traditional roles are Kalfa, Malanka, Grandpa, Grandma, Hutsul, Jew, Goat, and the Cossacks are special. For the locals, Malanka is a real talisman, a union of all generations of the people of Sukhoverkiv. A documentary was made about the glorious Sukhoverkhiv Malanka.

In Mamayivtsi, Malanka celebration starts on the night of January 13-14. Participants go from house to house, paying special attention to houses with unmarried girls. There are usually several groups of participants, all of them dressed in traditional costumes of "grandfather", "bear", "devil", "gypsy", "king and queen", also adding characters. Unforgettable action!

The residents of this village have something to offer to the pickiest connoisseurs of Malanka. On the streets of this wealthy village, rides a large chariot of the gods of Olympus, with winged Pegasus. You are also invited to the “Wigwam” by hospitable Indians, and Cossacks blinking at you, offering you to drink horilka (vodka).

In this picturesque village of Bukovyna region, admirers of antiquity can see the beautiful Palace of Mikuli-Volinskij (19th century), with a 300-year-old oak tree and a local-style temple, the Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel (1799). 

In this village near the Romanian border, there is one of the most interesting and colorful festivals of Malanka in Ukraine. The festival of Malanka attracts the attention of many people of Ukraine and the world. Five large groups of young guys dress up in bright clothes and go from house to house wishing the residents of the village a happy Old New Year. Traditional costumes include: grandfather and grandmother, gypsies with straw bears on chains, kings and queens, riders and horses, and doctors. Some suits weigh more than 100 kg. Come and parade along the central street, where Malanka participants demonstrate their unique art to residents and guests of the village.