Hello Father Frost,
My name is Lisa. I am 8. I am from Ukraine. I am a pupil. My friends are Lisa and Veronica.
I have got many toys: a cat, a dog, Winnie the Pooh, a donkey and a ball. I like to play with my toys, ride a horse and play badminton very much. But I haven’t got a big doll to play with.
Dear Father Frost, please, give me a kite, a sledge, roller-skates and a video game. And please, for mother and father bring a new telephone.
If you don’t have a cat to play with take my cat.
Goodbye and thank you.
Lisa Hovrachova
Grade 3a
School#38
Hello Grandfather Frost,
My name is Elisaveta. I am nine. I am a Ukrainian pupil. I have got many friends. I have got many toys too. I like to play with my dolls, bears, dogs, cats and Barbie’s house very much.
But I haven’t got a pet. I want to have a funny little dog.
Grandfather Frost, please, give it to me. And I want a nice new dress for my mother.
Love,
Elisaveta.
Hello Santa Claus,
My name is Akram. I am nine. I am a pupil from Ukraine. I have got many friends. I have got many toys too. I like to play railway road. But I haven’t got it.
Dear Santa, please, give me a long railway road.
My Brother likes to play computer. Please, bring my brother a video game.
Goodbye and thank you.
Akram.
Hello Father Frost!
My name is Igor. I am nine. How are you? I am fine. My friend Vitalik has got many toys: soldiers, balls, cars and video games. I haven’t got many toys. I have got a computer. I like to play video games. I want to have a new video game.
Father Frost, please, give me a video game and put it on my table.
Goodbye and thank you.
Igor Ilin.
Hello Santa Claus,
My name is David. I am from Ukraine. I am nine. I am a pupil. I have got many friends. Their names are: Nikita, he is my cousin, Egor, and Roma. I have got many toys too. I like to play with my toy cars but I haven’t got a tank.
Dear Santa Claus, please, give me a big tank. And for mother, please, give her a little dog.
Bye and thank you.
David.
Hello Father Frost,
My name is Maria. I am from Ukraine. I am 9. I am a pupil.
I have got many friends: Lena, Veronika and Lisa. And I have got many toys: a doll, a ball, a computer, roller-skates and a big car.
I like to play with my doll. But I haven’t got a bike.
Father Frost, please, give me a bike. For mother, please, give her some cosmetics.
Love,
Maria Kareva.
Hello Father Frost,
My name is Vitalik Parfenov. I am 8. I am from Ukraine. I am a pupil of grade 3. My friend’s name is Vania.
I like to play with my railway road and car very much. I can play football. But I haven’t got a Hummer car, a ball and transformer.
Dear Father Frost, please, give me a computer. And please, for mother give a ring. If you don’t have these presents, please, don’t worry.
Goodbye and thank you.
Vitalik.
Sunday 30 November 2008
Saturday 29 November 2008
Friday 28 November 2008
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN UKRAINE (From Wikipedia)
The Ukrainian Christmas festive days according to the Julian calendar, start on January 6th, Christmas Eve and ends with January 19th, "Jordan" or Epiphany
Holy Evening (Sviaty Vechir)
Kutia
"Holy Supper" or Sviata Vechera is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem.
When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, (which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men), the Sviata Vechera may begin. In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. Kutia (sweet grain pudding) is traditionally served in Ukrainian Christmas dinner table. It is often the first dish in the traditional twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper (also known as Svyaty Vechir) and is rarely served at other times of the year.
Ukrainian CHRISTMAS KUTYA
(By: Olga Drozd )
To the Ukrainians Christmas is not Christmas without Kutya, a ritual dish and an integral part of the Holy Night Meal, is served only during the Christmas cycle of holidays which ends with the Feast of Jordan on January 19. The origin of this dish goes back to days immemorial when the early Ukrainian ancestors first cultivated wheat. A relic of customs practised three thousand years before the Christmas era. This dish should be prepared several days ahead of time for flavour to develop. It keeps very well in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or so. Kutya is high in nutritional value and should be eaten any time.
Ingredients
• 2 cups cleaned wheat berries
• 3-4 quarts water
• 1 cup cleaned poppy seed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
1.
Wash wheat in cold water and soak overnight in the 3 to 4 quarts of water.
2
The next day, bring the water to a boil then simmer for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3
The wheat is ready when the kernels burst open and the fluid is thick and creamy.
4
Chop the poppy seed in a food processor (or coffee grinder) (or you can buy ground poppy seeds in some deli's) and set aside.
5
Mix honey, sugar and hot water.
6
Mix the honey mixture, poppy seeds, and chopped nuts and wheat.
7
More honey can be added to taste.
8
Keep in refrigerator.
9
Traditional Ukrainian Cookery.
Koliadky
At the end of the Holy Supper/Sviata Vechera/ the family often sings Ukrainian Christmas Carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churches calling at homes and collecting donations. The Ukrainian song Shchedryk became a base for the world famous Christmas carol, Carol of the Bells
Grandfather Frost
Grandfather Frost/Father Frost or Did Moroz, the person who brings the Christmas gifts for children is strongly associated with St. Nickolas/ Svyatyi Mykolai, the feast of which is marked on December, 19. It is supposed, that children should find their Christmas gifts under the cushion on that day.
CHRISTMAS IS A JOYOUS DAY which opens for Ukrainian
families with attendance at Church. Ukrainian Churches offer services starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as many traditions connected with it as Sviata Vechera. The old tradition in Ukraine of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19th, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date.
SAINT NICKOLAS, one of the most popular saints honored by the Greek and the Latin churches was actually a real person who lived in the 4th century in Myra, Asia Minor, which is presently Demre in Turkey. Traditionally, he has been honored on December 6 by the Latin Church and on December 19 according to the churches, such as the Ukrainian, which follow the Julian Calendar.
In his youth Nicholas entered a monastery and later became an abbot and then a bishop. After suffering persecution and imprisonment, he was freed by a new emperor, Constantine. He died in 352 and his relics were preserved in Myra for seven centuries until some Italian merchants sent an expedition of three ships and 62 men to Myra and, through a ruse, carried off his remains. They were deposited in the church in Bari, Italy on the Adriatic Sea on May 9, 1087 where they have remained to this day.
Many traditions relating to Saint Nicholas as the special guardian of maidens, children, scholars, merchants and sailors, have come down to our day.
THERE IS A LEGEND that connects St. Nicholas with the tradition of giving presents secretly. There was a nobleman in Patana with three daughters but he was too poor to provide them with a dowry for marriage. He was almost on the point of abandoning them to a sinful life when Nicholas heard of his problem. That night he took a purse of gold and threw it in an open window. The nobleman used it for a dowry the next day as he did a second purse he found the next night. Curious about his benefactor, the third night he watched and caught Nicholas in the act but he was told not to reveal the Saint's identity or generosity. Ever since, St. Nicholas has been identified with the tradition of gift giving. His three purses of gold eventually became the three golden balls symbol of pawnbrokers.
St. Nicholas is the most popular saint in the Ukrainian church after St. Vladimir, as is shown by the fact that there have been more churches named after St. Nicholas than after any other saint. Some scholars believe that it was through the great popularity that the Saint enjoyed in Kievan Rus-Ukraine in medieval times that his popularity spread to western Europe, and particularly to Belgium and Holland.
MALANKA OR SHCHEDRY VECHIR on January 13th according to the Julian calendar is celebrated as Ukrainian New Year's Eve in many cities. On this, the last night of the year, New Year's carols called Shchedrivky are sung. One of the most famous of these is the popular"Shchedryk" by Leontovich which is known in English as "The Carol of the Bells."
While Christmas is a religious event, Malanka is a secular, merry-making celebration. In some communities Ukrainian professional and businessmens' clubs or youth organizations sponsor a dress up Malanka Banquet and Ball.
The traditional Christmas customs of Ukraine add color and significance to the winter festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet event. This celebration reminds us of the baby in a Bethlehem manger whose 1,975th birthday we celebrate. But whether Christmas is celebrated on December 25th or on January 7th the message is the same:
"Peace on Earth! Good will towards men!
Holy Evening (Sviaty Vechir)
Kutia
"Holy Supper" or Sviata Vechera is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem.
When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, (which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men), the Sviata Vechera may begin. In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. Kutia (sweet grain pudding) is traditionally served in Ukrainian Christmas dinner table. It is often the first dish in the traditional twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper (also known as Svyaty Vechir) and is rarely served at other times of the year.
Ukrainian CHRISTMAS KUTYA
(By: Olga Drozd )
To the Ukrainians Christmas is not Christmas without Kutya, a ritual dish and an integral part of the Holy Night Meal, is served only during the Christmas cycle of holidays which ends with the Feast of Jordan on January 19. The origin of this dish goes back to days immemorial when the early Ukrainian ancestors first cultivated wheat. A relic of customs practised three thousand years before the Christmas era. This dish should be prepared several days ahead of time for flavour to develop. It keeps very well in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or so. Kutya is high in nutritional value and should be eaten any time.
Ingredients
• 2 cups cleaned wheat berries
• 3-4 quarts water
• 1 cup cleaned poppy seed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
1.
Wash wheat in cold water and soak overnight in the 3 to 4 quarts of water.
2
The next day, bring the water to a boil then simmer for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3
The wheat is ready when the kernels burst open and the fluid is thick and creamy.
4
Chop the poppy seed in a food processor (or coffee grinder) (or you can buy ground poppy seeds in some deli's) and set aside.
5
Mix honey, sugar and hot water.
6
Mix the honey mixture, poppy seeds, and chopped nuts and wheat.
7
More honey can be added to taste.
8
Keep in refrigerator.
9
Traditional Ukrainian Cookery.
Koliadky
At the end of the Holy Supper/Sviata Vechera/ the family often sings Ukrainian Christmas Carols. In many communities the old Ukrainian tradition of caroling is carried on by groups of young people and members of organizations and churches calling at homes and collecting donations. The Ukrainian song Shchedryk became a base for the world famous Christmas carol, Carol of the Bells
Grandfather Frost
Grandfather Frost/Father Frost or Did Moroz, the person who brings the Christmas gifts for children is strongly associated with St. Nickolas/ Svyatyi Mykolai, the feast of which is marked on December, 19. It is supposed, that children should find their Christmas gifts under the cushion on that day.
CHRISTMAS IS A JOYOUS DAY which opens for Ukrainian
families with attendance at Church. Ukrainian Churches offer services starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as many traditions connected with it as Sviata Vechera. The old tradition in Ukraine of giving gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December 19th, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date.
SAINT NICKOLAS, one of the most popular saints honored by the Greek and the Latin churches was actually a real person who lived in the 4th century in Myra, Asia Minor, which is presently Demre in Turkey. Traditionally, he has been honored on December 6 by the Latin Church and on December 19 according to the churches, such as the Ukrainian, which follow the Julian Calendar.
In his youth Nicholas entered a monastery and later became an abbot and then a bishop. After suffering persecution and imprisonment, he was freed by a new emperor, Constantine. He died in 352 and his relics were preserved in Myra for seven centuries until some Italian merchants sent an expedition of three ships and 62 men to Myra and, through a ruse, carried off his remains. They were deposited in the church in Bari, Italy on the Adriatic Sea on May 9, 1087 where they have remained to this day.
Many traditions relating to Saint Nicholas as the special guardian of maidens, children, scholars, merchants and sailors, have come down to our day.
THERE IS A LEGEND that connects St. Nicholas with the tradition of giving presents secretly. There was a nobleman in Patana with three daughters but he was too poor to provide them with a dowry for marriage. He was almost on the point of abandoning them to a sinful life when Nicholas heard of his problem. That night he took a purse of gold and threw it in an open window. The nobleman used it for a dowry the next day as he did a second purse he found the next night. Curious about his benefactor, the third night he watched and caught Nicholas in the act but he was told not to reveal the Saint's identity or generosity. Ever since, St. Nicholas has been identified with the tradition of gift giving. His three purses of gold eventually became the three golden balls symbol of pawnbrokers.
St. Nicholas is the most popular saint in the Ukrainian church after St. Vladimir, as is shown by the fact that there have been more churches named after St. Nicholas than after any other saint. Some scholars believe that it was through the great popularity that the Saint enjoyed in Kievan Rus-Ukraine in medieval times that his popularity spread to western Europe, and particularly to Belgium and Holland.
MALANKA OR SHCHEDRY VECHIR on January 13th according to the Julian calendar is celebrated as Ukrainian New Year's Eve in many cities. On this, the last night of the year, New Year's carols called Shchedrivky are sung. One of the most famous of these is the popular"Shchedryk" by Leontovich which is known in English as "The Carol of the Bells."
While Christmas is a religious event, Malanka is a secular, merry-making celebration. In some communities Ukrainian professional and businessmens' clubs or youth organizations sponsor a dress up Malanka Banquet and Ball.
The traditional Christmas customs of Ukraine add color and significance to the winter festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet event. This celebration reminds us of the baby in a Bethlehem manger whose 1,975th birthday we celebrate. But whether Christmas is celebrated on December 25th or on January 7th the message is the same:
"Peace on Earth! Good will towards men!
Monday 17 November 2008
Our Cards Are Ready
We did our best to create cards. Some students made several ones. Olga Dremina prepared 5! It's a school record!
Have a look al our cards. You are sure to like them!
Project Participants
1.Lake Eola Charter School
Grade:4&5
Orlando
Florida
United States
Teacher: Michele Stucker
2. Secondary school#38
Grades:2a, 3a,4b, 5a&5b, 6a
Sevastopol
Ukraine
Teachers: Larisa Muzyka, Larysa Stepanenko, Svetlana Trotsenko, Elena Yakovleva
3. Moravian Academy
Grade:1
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
USA
Teacher: Robyn Endress
4. Leopold Primary School
Grade: 3
Leopold
Victoria
Australia
Teachers: Kathleen McGeady, Eric Stribley, Jenni Wilson, Sharon Neville
5.Ping-Sing Elementary School
Grade 5
Ping-Zhen
Taoyuan County
Taiwan
Teacher: Hsienfang Sung
6.W. H. Day Elementary School Bradford
Grade 5
Ontario
Canada
Teacher:Mali Bickley
7.EManuel Beça Murias
Grade: 1
Rua da Medrosa
Oeiras
Portugal
Teacher:Artur Gentil Nunes
Grade:4&5
Orlando
Florida
United States
Teacher: Michele Stucker
2. Secondary school#38
Grades:2a, 3a,4b, 5a&5b, 6a
Sevastopol
Ukraine
Teachers: Larisa Muzyka, Larysa Stepanenko, Svetlana Trotsenko, Elena Yakovleva
3. Moravian Academy
Grade:1
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
USA
Teacher: Robyn Endress
4. Leopold Primary School
Grade: 3
Leopold
Victoria
Australia
Teachers: Kathleen McGeady, Eric Stribley, Jenni Wilson, Sharon Neville
5.Ping-Sing Elementary School
Grade 5
Ping-Zhen
Taoyuan County
Taiwan
Teacher: Hsienfang Sung
6.W. H. Day Elementary School Bradford
Grade 5
Ontario
Canada
Teacher:Mali Bickley
7.EManuel Beça Murias
Grade: 1
Rua da Medrosa
Oeiras
Portugal
Teacher:Artur Gentil Nunes
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