What is Malanka?
Malanka is a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on January 13th, which is New Year’s Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar. The ancestors of Ukrainians believed that on New Year’s Eve, good and evil spirits descended on the earth. In order to ward off evil before the new year, the night was spent dancing, partaking in ritualistic meals, fortune telling, casting of spells, and singing carols.
The Story Behind Our Masquerade Theme
At its core, Malanka was a kind of folk theatre, where people dressed up as animals (goats, bears) or mythical characters to sing, dance, play skits, bless households, drive away evil spirits and welcome renewal and prosperity. Our masquerade-themed Malanka is inspired by that very spirit, mixing mystery, masks, celebration, and community together. By transforming our event into a masquerade, we’re giving a nod to the historic masked processions of traditional Malanka in Ukraine while carrying forward the values of joy, friendship, renewal, and cultural roots into our own diaspora-style celebration.
Guest Performers
We are honoured to welcome a very special guest performance from down east, Zapovid. Zapovid is a Ukrainian folk-rock band established in 2011, known for blending traditional folk melodies with modern rock, ska, and various world music influences. With four recorded albums, the band has captivated audiences worldwide from Canada to Australia with their unique style and niche sound. Their rich music is rooted in their cultural heritage, making Zapovid distinctive in the North American Ukrainian music scene.
Performances by
Verkhovyna Ensemble
The Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble is the cultural arm of the Edmonton branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada (CYM). A broad spectrum of the Ukrainian community is represented within the ensemble, from Ukrainians new to Canada to fourth generation Ukrainian Canadians.
The Ensemble is comprised of three groups: Verkhovyna Choir, Dunai Dancers, and Dunai School of Ukrainian dance. The Verkhovyna Choir and Dunai Dancers have toured together as an ensemble, as well as performed separately, for appreciative audiences in Canada, the United States of America, Brazil, Costa Rica and Eastern Europe.
WE ARE SOLD OUT
Thanks to your support, we are no longer selling tickets.
Dress Code
Guests are encouraged to embrace the mystery and elegance of the evening with masquerade masks and formal attire. Gowns, tuxedos, suits, and elevated cocktail dresses are all perfect choices. Casual footwear, such as sneakers, is not permitted. See below for inspiration for men, women, footwear, and masquerade masks.
ABOUT THE UKRAINIAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION
The Ukrainian Youth Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization that encourages children and youth to cultivate their Ukrainian and Ukrainian-Canadian heritage by promoting traditions, cultural activities and language. Our goal is to instill a sense of Ukrainian heritage, culture and identity, as well as promote good citizenship and volunteerism in the community.
Our multi-faceted program is tailored towards children and youth between the ages of 4 and 17 and includes weekly cultural gatherings, excursions and trips, athletic programs, and summer and winter camps. These activities focus on the development of good character, ethics, morals and leadership skills.
Malanka is our annual fundraiser for our youth programming.
