MALANKA: Ukrainian Winter Mystery

Updated on Січень 31, 2026
by editor

On 25 January, at St Cosmus and St Damian Church in Blean, Kent, our community came to present Malanka to an English audience – an ancient Ukrainian winter tradition marking the New Year, filled with music, humour and heartfelt wishes.

The event was a brilliant example of how culture unites, heals and inspires. It brought together all generations from the Ukrainian community in Canterbury – the Canterbury for Ukraine Ladies’ Choir, the C4U Young Ukrainians Hub, their parents, and the C4U Young at Hearts club.

Canterbury for Ukraine Ladies’ Choir is more than just a choir. It is a community of strong women who share their stories of pain, hope and love through song. Their repertoire includes not only Ukrainian folk and contemporary music, but also English compositions.

Through music, they introduce British audiences to Ukrainian cultural heritage with sincerity and dignity. At the concert they delivered a fabulous performance of carols, the New Year songs (schedrivkas) with good wishes for a bountiful year, and Ukrainian folk songs.

The centrepiece of the celebration was a theatrical Malanka performance by children and teenagers from our Young Ukrainians Hub (YoU-Hub) programme. Dressed in traditional costumes of the Son, Father, Mother, the Goat, the Cat and other colourful characters, the young performers brought to life an ancient Ukrainian winter mystery.

According to this tradition, groups of young people visit homes, greet the hosts and wish them happiness, prosperity, love and wellbeing for the coming year, and receive treats in return. The young actors kept the audience smiling and laughing.

The Mystery was performed in English, allowing every guest to easily follow the story and fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere. Among the distinguished guests were the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Keji Moses, and the Lady Mayoress, Carol Reed; the Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Baldock; Cllr Connie Nolan (also a trustee of Canterbury for Ukraine); and other honoured guests.

After the event, guests enjoyed delicious Ukrainian treats prepared by the C4U volunteers, including choristers, mothers of the young actors, and members of the Young at Hearts Club.

Thanks to the generosity of our guests, we raised nearly £1,100 for humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the C4U Aid to Ukraine programme. All the raised funds will be transferred to our long-standing partner in Ukraine – Charity UAid Direct to support their effort of providing warm supplies in the midst of horrific attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure which has left millions of people without heating and electricity.
We are incredibly proud of our Ukrainian community. Malanka in Kent once again proved that even far from home, Ukrainian traditions live on – bringing people together and spreading joy.

We thank everyone who joined us and donated, especially the congregation of St Cosmus & St Damian Church, for their warm welcome and generous donations.