Hello there!
Only few hours left to hunt something that can adorn this gray and pale season - LIGHTS AND CANDLES. Let's release a magician that I believe sleep inside of everyone 😉 Follow me and keep quiet.
This tiny stuffed mouse has its story. Ages ago, when I live in my hometown, I worked in a bank. One day, when I came to the office in the morning, I met my work mates at my doors with a gift - this cute mouse. After they greeted me with best wishes I asked what is the occasion of such a surprise. They said it's for my birthday. Now it was their turn to be surprised when I said that my birthday is 2 months later. It turned out, that there is another person in our big bank with the same name and surname, and it was her birthday. 😊
Winter holiday season that includes New Year and Orthodox Christmas (in this particular order) continues. Orthodox Christmas is 3 holidays, and today is the second one - an Old New Year, or Malanka :) On this day, our trick-or-treaters are dressed up as animals and folk characters, and this tradition comes from an ancient, probably pre-Christian custom. The main animal character is a Goat. There is also Cat, and Chort. Human characters are Malanka (female) and Vasyl (male), King-Moon, Grandfather-Snake and others, depends on the region.
The action begins with the onset of darkness... People sing ritual songs and generously wish the hosts all the best. I'am quite sure that you know the most popular song "The Little Swallow" or "Shchedryk". It was arranged by Ukrainian composer and teacher Mykola Leontovych in 1916. Did you know? 😇
The shots above I took at home, with my small characters. And the next pictures were hunted outside, around Roshen Chocolate Factory building, which is being generously decorated every year with a different themes. The scenery depicts a fairytale city, a train traveling on rails and a ship sailing towards new adventure.
Let's enjoy them together.
That's it. Much appreciate your visit today, and ...
Happy Old New Year 😁
