Andrijiwsky Wetschernize: what secrets does the old Kalita festival hide.

According to ТСН: The folklorist Mykola Lysenko explains that the name of the festival comes from the day of St. Andrew, which was traditionally celebrated on December 13 (now - on the night of November 30). The older pagan name of the festival is simply "Kalita."

Andrijiwsky Wetschernize: Traditions

The girls gathered in the hostess's house, joked and "asked" for admission and began to bake. The most important thing was to bake the Kalita while reciting the ceremonial words. Later, the boys arrived, and the Kalita ritual began: someone held the cookie, someone "rode" on the apron – the "horses" – and tried to taste it. If the "rider" managed to make someone laugh – they were smeared with soot. Loud laughter and "mischief" were an indispensable part of the tradition.

Divination

The girls tried to see into the future:

• They baked Balabuschen and looked at which hungry dog it would catch;

• They listened under the windows to what the hostesses would say;

• They let a rooster into a bowl of water and grain;

• They threw their shoe to determine from which side the future spouse would come;

• They poured wax and interpreted the shapes.

Moreover, they believed in prophetic dreams: They placed symbols under the pillow and waited for the dream to reveal the future to them.

The Andrijiwsky Wetschernize is an important part of Ukrainian cultural heritage. They preserve not only traditions but also unite people in joy and fun, bringing memories of old customs to life. Today, this festival is gaining popularity again and allows the younger generation to feel the spirit of the past and bring a part of the magic of traditions into their modern lives.