What is Malanka?
Malanka (Ukrainian New Year’s Eve, celebrated on January 13th according to the Julian calendar) is one of the most vibrant, festive folk traditions in Ukrainian culture. Combining ancient pagan winter rituals with Christian folk tales, Malanka heralds the arrival of the New Year with joy, mischief, and community.
In Canada, early Ukrainian settlers brought Malanka with them over a century ago. Over time, the house-to-house carolling evolved into gala banquets and community dances.
Our Performers
Formed in the summer of 2022 by a passionate collective of post-secondary students and young musicians in Toronto, TYSK has quickly become a vibrant fixture in the North American Ukrainian music scene.
Uniting musicians from diverse backgrounds, TYSK’s repertoire spans high-energy dance tunes, stirring patriotic anthems, soulful folk-rock ballads, and timeless Ukrainian classics. Their live shows capture the rich heart of Ukrainian tradition while delivering a fresh, contemporary stage presence that resonates with audiences of all generations.
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.
TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 1ST
Dress Code
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, and footwear.
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.
