by Artem, age 9, asks Did Moroz do you come on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve in Ukraine?, about the Dnipro River, and the didukh wheat tradition
Dear Did Moroz,
My name is Artem and I am 9 years old. I live in Kyiv, Ukraine, where my babusya keeps a small bundle of wheat called a didukh standing in the corner of our home all through the holidays.
First, do you come on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve in Ukraine?
Second, a geography question: what river runs through Kyiv?
Third, a school question about my country: why do Ukrainian families keep a didukh sheaf of wheat at Christmas?
I left you kutia and a cup of uzvar, dried fruit compote.
Love, Artem, age 9, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
From the Desk of Did Moroz
Dear Artem, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Do you come on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve in Ukraine?
Yes, New Year’s Eve is my traditional visit, a custom that grew especially strong during years when Christmas was harder to celebrate openly.
What river runs through Kyiv?
The Dnipro River flows right through the middle of Kyiv, splitting the city into its hillier right bank and flatter left bank, and it looks especially peaceful covered in a light dusting of snow.
Why do Ukrainian families keep a didukh sheaf of wheat at Christmas?
The didukh is a bundle of the very last wheat stalks harvested that year, kept as a symbol of the family’s ancestors and a wish for a good harvest in the year ahead. Families place it in the most honored corner of the home during the holidays, connecting each new generation to the land and to those who came before.
Z Rizdvom, Artem.
Ho ho ho, Did Moroz
