What’s All the Hype About Ukraine’s Wild Pagan New Year Party?

Rooted in pagan traditions and most authentically preserved in the Carpathians, Malanka transforms Ukrainian towns into stages of wild revelry every January 13th. It’s a night of vibrant costumes, spirited caroling, and mischievous pranks, blending ancient rituals with a modern sense of community and celebration.

A night of celebration

In the heart of Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains—often called the country’s cultural backbone—this centuries-old tradition comes alive with exuberance. Known as Malanka, or Shchedryi Vechir (Generous Evening), the festival ushers in the Old New Year with theatrical processions, lively skits, abundant feasts, and playful revelry. If comparisons must be made, Malanka is a spirited mix of New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras, and Halloween, with its own uniquely Ukrainian flair.

The streets of towns and villages become colorful stages of celebration. Groups of revelers, dressed in elaborate, handcrafted costumes, parade through neighborhoods, singing shchedrivky—traditional carols meant to bless households with prosperity for the coming year. Key figures like "Malanka" herself (often humorously played by a man in drag), "Grandpa," "Goat," and "Devil" lead the processions, mixing folklore with comedic theatrics.

The rituals of Malanka

The performances are loud, exaggerated, and interactive, with skits often poking fun at politics, local quirks, or the absurdities of the past year. Mischief and pranks are encouraged, creating an atmosphere of playful chaos. Meanwhile, households prepare lavish meals featuring kutia (sweet grain pudding), varenyky (dumplings), and holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls). As carolers visit homes, they’re greeted with food, drinks, and warmth, reinforcing the festival’s themes of abundance, generosity, and community.

The night culminates in communal gatherings filled with music, dancing, and bonfires. It’s not just a party; it’s a time to connect, let go of the past year’s burdens, and embrace the promise of renewal.

The pagan roots of Malanka

Malanka’s origins lie in pre-Christian pagan rituals celebrating the renewal of nature and the cycle of seasons. These traditions, honoring fertility and protection, later blended with Christian practices to honor St. Melania, whose feast day aligned with the celebration. This fusion of pagan and Christian elements has been preserved in its purest form in the Carpathian region, where the natural world still deeply shapes daily life.

The costumes and symbols used in Malanka harken back to ancient beliefs in the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the natural world. Goats, bears, and other animals in the processions symbolize fertility, protection, and strength, reflecting a worldview in which people were both stewards of and subject to nature’s forces.

A celebration of continuity

Malanka’s enduring charm lies in its ability to bridge past and present. It is both a vibrant modern celebration and a living link to Ukraine’s ancient heritage. By preserving its pagan roots, Malanka offers a rare glimpse into a time when spirituality was inseparable from the rhythms of nature, and the cycles of the earth were sacred.

For Ukrainians, especially those in the Carpathians, Malanka is more than just a New Year celebration—it is a testament to their cultural resilience and an ancestral legacy that has survived centuries of change. In today’s rapidly shifting world, Malanka stands as a vivid reminder of the power of tradition, community, and renewal.