Our pre-Christian ancestors lived in harmony with nature, and in the spring were often found carrying out dances in fields and woods, near rivers or streams. With the acceptance of Christianity in Ukraine, these springtime dances continued to be performed by the village girls on Easter morning following Mass. These traditional dances are performed to this day - they are called hahilky.
For several years in the approach to Easter, sumivti in Bradford have practised hahilky during lesson times, led by podruha Maria Lee (our Director of Culture). On Easter Sunday they perform hahilky outside church for the Ukrainian community to enjoy.
This year we have taken photographs for you to see how our sumivti continue this joyous Ukrainian tradition.
Our pre-Christian ancestors lived in harmony with nature, and in the spring were often found carrying out dances in fields and woods, near rivers or streams. With the acceptance of Christianity in Ukraine, these springtime dances continued to be performed by the village girls on Easter morning following Mass. These traditional dances are performed to this day - they are called hahilky.
For several years in the approach to Easter, sumivti in Bradford have practised hahilky during lesson times, led by podruha Maria Lee (our Director of Culture). On Easter Sunday they perform hahilky outside church for the Ukrainian community to enjoy.
This year we have taken photographs for you to see how our sumivti continue this joyous Ukrainian tradition.