UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (03/13/05)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

It's a "Circus!" at Plast's annual masquerade party

NEW YORK - "Circus!" was the theme of this year's kostiumivka (masquerade party), held on March 6 in the St. George School auditorium. The New York City branch of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization has organized this annual event for 54 years - this year with the help of the Verkhovynky sorority of young adult Plast members. As seen above, participants performed as trapeze artists, acrobats, strongmen, clowns, lions and other circus stars.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, find the words capitalized in the text below within the Mishanyna grid.

EASTER is a most JOYOUS holy day as it marks the RESURRECTION of Christ. In Ukrainian this FEAST day is know as VELYKDEN, which means the great day.

Easter is celebrated by all Christians, but not necessarily on the same day. Most celebrate Easter in keeping with the GREGORIAN, or new, calendar, while the Orthodox Church and parts of the Eastern-rite Catholic Church follow the JULIAN, or old-style, calendar. That is why this year some Ukrainians will be celebrating Easter on MARCH 27, while others will celebrate on MAY 1.

In preparation for Easter, many Ukrainians make PYSANKY - intricately decorated Ukrainian Easter EGGS. Through a special process, plain eggs are MIRACULOUSLY transformed into miniature works of ART. The designs on a PYSANKA all have symbolic meanings. There are books and pamphlets available for you to learn about these ancient symbols and to help you create your own pysanky.

On Easter Sunday after liturgy we enjoy a traditional meal of SVIACHENE, or blessed foods, that are taken to church in BASKETS for a special blessing.

Another EASTER custom is the presentation of HAHILKY, or spring ritual dances. Perhaps you, or the girls in your area are now working on learning hahilky to present in your community.

According to Ukrainian TRADITION, Easter celebrations extend for three days. The second day of Easter is know as "Oblyvanyi Ponedilok," or WET Monday, because on that day young people sprinkle or splash each other with water.

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated April 10, please send in your materials - stories and photos - by April 1. Please remember to include a daytime phone number so that we may contact you if needed.

| Home Page |