Since the ancient times Ukraine has been famous for a variety of customs, traditions and rituals. Vechornytsy parties used to begin late November and continue into the beginning of the great feast. Those were mostly the girls taking part in vechornytsy but boys sometimes also participated. The company used to gather in a cozy house in the evening, hence is the name – vechornytsy (evening parties). On a cold winter evening when there is a snowstorm out it is a delight for the young people to get together. This fun and colorful activity is an insight into the exciting world of spiritual heritage of the Ukrainian people.

So in the evening on December the 12th a vechornytsy party was organized in the hostel number 2 on the campus to revitalize the ancient Ukrainian tradition of the youth of our grandmothers and mothers on St. Andriys Day.

The colorful embroidered motifs and captivating Ukrainian songs created a festive atmosphere while Ruslan Labunets who in the role of Andriy and Natalia Shkunida acting as the hostess (both being the students of the Primary Education Department) entertained everyone with funny stories, tall tales and fun competitions. Traditionally, there was the rite of "calculation" in which the boys performed various tasks in order to be eligible to stay at the vechornytsy party. The girls were trying to look into the future and foretell what husbands they would have. Because this slightly mysterious veil of the unknown is the most exciting issue to single young women of all times and nations - it has always been the main theme of all girls' vechornysty parties. And while nobody knows whether it is true or not it is the process of foretelling that becomes the most important thing. Usually, during these gatherings on the long winter evenings there was a spark of interest between the young boys and girls which would later give way to their feelings and grow into relationships leading to weddings in the summer.

The boys and girls approached those celebrations with great enthusiasm. Girls used to bake the traditional Kalita with all the required attributes. Boys were looking for Kotsyuba, prepared some mischief which was compulsory for the party. Everything would go according to the script but there was always a place for improvisation. Cymbals, boots and rings divination used to be part and parcel of the evenings. The highlight of the event was biting the Kalita.

The next step was preparing a festive dinner. The trick was the traditional Ukrainian dumplings with potatoes, buttons, money, hay and pepper. During the party the main task for the boys was to find the Kalita. Those failing to do this task were forced to fulfill the desires of the girls throughout the evening. And all our girls want is just to make fun of the guys, to test their strength of will and ingenuity.

It is good that in the furious rhythm of the modern world of computers, Internet, and social networks the students have found the time for traditions and got together to celebrate St. Andriys Day with candles and all the relevant attributes.

P.S. The events was organized by the Educational Work Department and the hostel heads. Especially we are grateful to Tetiana Bondarchuk, the specialist in educational work and the students of the Primary Education Department Oleksandr Shcherbakov, Anastasia Leshenko, Olena Tymoshchuk, Oleksandr Matveev, Fedir Bucur, and Diana Podryeza, the student of Ukrainian Philology Department. Musical accompaniment was provided by Oleksandr Chorniy, the student of the Physical Training Department.

Educational Work Department