Malanka at UAlberta exhibit is now on display in the Old Arts Bldg.
Recollections of the first "Malanka" celebrations held at the University of Alberta Faculty Club, January 13, 1973
by Larisa Cheladyn
In Ukraine, the New Year's celebration of "Malanka" is a festive event that traditionally takes place on the eve of January 13 (New Year's Eve by the Julian calendar) and continues on until the morning of the 14th. During the festivities 'Malanka', together with her entourage of mummers, roams the villages and towns, visiting door to door, singing, partying and bringing tidings of good luck and joy for the coming year.
Historically, "Malanka" was not a tradition that readily made its way to Canada with the first few waves of Ukrainian immigration. However, on January 13, 1973 a major revival of the old tradition took place at the University of Alberta Faculty Club.
On the initiative of Dr. Metro Gulutsan (UAlberta - Dept. of Educational Psychology), in the fall of 1972 a Malanka committee was struck. Joining Dr. Gulutsan was: Dr. Manoly Lupul, Dr. Zenia Hawrysh, and Paul Sembaliuk. They worked together with Walter Chornowol, the Zwozdesky family, Mr. & Mrs. Lukianchuk, and Mrs. Barlow from the Faculty Club. Pooling all of their expertise they created a night to remember!
Dr. Hawrysh worked with the chef at the Faculty Club to create a Ukrainian menu. Paul Sembaliuk commandeered his entire family to help with decorations, and Dr.'s Gulutsan and Lupul sifted through folkloric materials pulling together traditions that would help recreate a "Malanka" atmosphere. Luck would have it that January 13, 1973 fell on a Saturday that year so the night was even more authentic.
Musicians for the evening were Walter Chornowol (violin), Ted Borowicki Sr. (accordion), Ted Borowicki Jr. (drums), Barbara Verchomin (piano), and young Michael Savaryn was a wandering minstrel. Natalka Dobrolige organized a group of dancers to perform for the guests.
At 11pm a rowdy group of mummers made their way into the club to help ring in the new year! It was Malanka and Vasyl', along with a bear, goat, lawyer, a judge, an old man, a farmer, and a group of gypsies. Who they really were was never recorded, however hearsay has it that they resembled, Steve Ciona, Gene Zwozdesky, Iris Zwozdesky, Lona Gulutsan, Peter Gulutsan, some of their close friends, and many of the dancers who had performed earlier.
This historic evening was the beginning of an annual Faculty Club Malanka that continued for 20 years. It also marked a major revival of Malanka traditions all across Canada! Another University of Alberta initiative!
Malanka at UAlberta exhibit is currently on display on the main floor in the hallway of the Old Arts Building.
Resources:
Gulutsan, Lena. 2000. "Persha Malanka v Al'berts'komu Unyversyteti" in Zakhidnokanads'kyi zbirnyk, v.4. Edmonton: NTSh, p. 401.
Cheladyn, Larisa. Personal recollections.