On Jan. 25, the Tavria School of Ukrainian Dance will be hosting their annual Malanka celebration at the Regina Performing Arts Centre.
Malanka is the Ukrainian folk holiday that is equivalent to New Year’s Eve. It is modernly celebrated on Dec. 31, but some still chose to participate in it according to the historical Julian calendar on Jan. 13.
“I think that honestly, it’s because we can’t book a venue in time. I think it’s also partly because we just came back from Christmas break, so we haven’t practiced at all,” said Grace Kozun, academy dancer and apprentice, on why Tavria hosts the event later than the actual holiday.
This year, Malanka will include cocktails, supper, a performance by the Tavria School of Ukrainian Dance, and a Zabava with local the Ukrainian party band, Hutsul Drive. As Tavria has grown in numbers with families who are passionate about Ukrainian culture, 96 per cent of tickets for the 250-person capacity venue have been sold.
“I think the best part about Malanka is definitely the people, the people who put the hard work into setting it up and the bands playing. You can’t have a good party and good polka if you have no one to dance with,” said academy dancer and assistant instructor Makai Smith.
Tavria will be approaching their 50th year anniversary as an organization this summer. They have been using dance to express the importance of Ukrainian culture for many years, but now, recognizing Ukraine and its culture is even more important than before.
“I feel like people have kind of forgotten about the war… the war in Ukraine is still going on and I feel like people need to be reminded of that. By sharing our culture, we are reminding people and also helping them learn more about the culture and finding ways to help in any way they can. And hopefully end the war because it’s gone on way too long,” said Grace Kozun.
“When I think about the war between Russia and Ukraine, it makes me almost angry because it’s been going on for so long and it’s needless fighting,” said Makai Smith on the emotional impact of the war.
The devastating impacts on Ukraine from the war have had strong emotional effects on Ukrainians and their families. Traditional events like Malanka not only celebrate the joys of Ukrainian culture, but they also remind people of the past and present suffrage that Ukraine has gone through.
Tavria hosting their upcoming Malanka opens up the opportunity for local Ukrainians and all people to show their appreciation and recognition for the culture. This is the second year Tavria’s Malanka is taking place at the Regina Performing Arts Centre and it is going to be a night of performance and importance.
