A new format residence of St Nicholas opened in Kyiv
On Monday, December 8, the main residence of St. Nicholas opened its doors in the territory of the Cossack village "Mamaev Sloboda" in Kyiv. The organizers claim that they offer a feast of the new format instead of mere distributing gifts to children.
The opening began with a master class with children modeling honey cakes. Kids were preparing their culinary delights according to old recipes. Each of them could think of his cherished desire, telling it to the pot, which was then put into the stove.
Director of Mamayeva Sloboda Kostyantyn Oliynik, who undergoes treatment after being wounded in the ATO zone, says that they offer a completely new formatholiday: “Previously in Kyiv there was no St. Nicholas,there were Yolopukky, Santa Claus, Father Frost, whatever. Saint Nicholas teaches good, and good means work and virtue. A child should not just get a present because he is a child. We conduct a series of workshops, we offer them to work hard, and then report on their case last year. And then our Nicholas has to decide whether the child deserves a rod ormayhave a gift. In our society it is traditional that children should receive free gifts, this is a post-Soviet legacy. But they should deserve a gift, do something good and decent.”
The tradition of writing one’s family tree was also initiated. During the class, the children have to tell about their ancestors. They also will be taught Christmas and New Year songs in preparation for the upcoming holidays. All comers may attend workshops on modeling dumplings, making honey wax candles, dolls, motankys, horseback riding, archery, or they can take part in quests or historical performances.
The first seat of St. Nicholas was installed in Ivano-Frankivsk in Metropolitan Dimitrius’ tenure, adds Oliynik: “In Mamayeva Sloboda a time travel is guaranteed - Saint Nicholas came to the children on a sled mounted in a fur coat, gentleman’s hat according to his rank, accompanied by Serdyuks (Cossack guards). Then Cossacks from the village signed a Hleyt with St. Nicholas –a Safe Conduct of cooperation and the residence started its work. It is important to show the format of Ukrainian holidays, teach children to our family traditions. "
The organizers receive hundreds of emails every day, especially from children of Luhansk and Donetsk region. Most children write about only one wish - peace and harmony in the country. First came a letter from a girl of Alchevsk, who said that the tanks move along the streets and frighten her. It was decided to send messengers to personally congratulate her two brothers and sister on 19 December.
They stress in the residence that groups have to book classes in advance. The residence is open from December 8, 2014 to December 30, 2014 from 10:00 to 17:00. To request a workshop please call: 361-98-48; 066-091-10-76 or contact us by mail: [email protected].
