.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - There's a simple reason why Ukrainians celebrate New Year's Eve on Jan. 13, says one of its native sons now living in Yellowknife.

"We couldn't find the three wise men, so we found them later on," Ron Kapicki said with a hearty laugh.

After a hard set of dancing these Aurora Ukrainian Dancers pause for a breather. (From left) Catriona Profit, 10, Anna Paquin, 9, and Gianna Debogorski, 9. - Andrew Rankin/ NNSL photo

The Yellowknife resident of 47 years admits there's a little more to the story than that. But it's a big deal for Ukrainians living here to gather in droves to celebrate their own New Year's Eve celebration called Malanka.

According to legend, the gods become active on New Year's Eve in honor of Malanka - the daughter of the earth goddess Lada - and a variety of spirits appear in people until midnight. The Saturday closest to the 14th is the traditional date the event is held.

So the Yellowknife Ukrainian Association's 22nd celebration held Saturday at the Elks' Club didn't disappoint. Showcasing dazzling performances from the Aurora Ukrainian Dancers, and more dancing and live traditional music. Chalk full of traditional fare, the menu featured everything from holubsti (cabbage rolls), pyrohy (perogies) to nalysnyky (Ukrainian crepes).

Wearing a distinctive, cream colored traditional Ukrainian blouse featuring red stitching down the middle to symbolize western Ukraine, Kapicki said he remains fiercely proud of his homeland.

"We're a very family-oriented culture" said the long-time association member. "You have to keep the tradition up. Some of the grandchildren are dancing now and hopefully they'll carry that on."

Association treasurer Sam Haigh attended the event, and couldn't agree more.

"Among other things, we're one of the hardest working cultures in the world" said Haigh. "I'm proud of that and the fact that we like to party too."

In between dancing, and hosting duties, association president Corol Sundberg, 35, explained that preparing the event took much effort and team work. But in the end, she said it's a way for her to celebrate her roots and show her pride of the traditions and values she's learned over the years.

"It's just New Year's and it's a great time to celebrate, and dancing is a huge part of the Ukrainian culture" she said. "It's a lot of work leading up but we like to let loose."