by Mia, age 8 from Columbus, asks Did Moroz about Ukrainian New Year traditions and Snihuronka the Snow Maiden.
A Letter to Did Moroz from Mia in Columbus, Ohio
Dear Did Moroz, my name is Mia and I am eight years old. I live in Columbus, Ohio, and my grandma’s family came from Ukraine a long time ago, so I have questions for you:
- Are you different from the Russian Ded Moroz, or are you the same person?
- Do Ukrainian children leave out treats for you, like cookies or something else?
- Do you carry a magic staff that can make snow?
- Do you come on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve in Ukraine?
- Do you have a granddaughter or a helper who travels with you?
- Do you ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, or do you have other animals?
- Do you visit children in person at New Year’s parties?
- Do you wear a long blue or white robe like your Russian cousin?
- Where is your home, is it in Ukraine or somewhere else?
- Your name means Grandfather Frost in Ukrainian, are you related to the Russian Ded Moroz?
- Geography: What large river flows through Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital?
- Social Studies: Why have some Ukrainian families started preferring other gift-givers in recent years?
From, Mia
Did Moroz Writes Back
Are you different from the Russian Ded Moroz, or are you the same person?
We share old roots, Mia, but in recent years I have grown into my own distinctly Ukrainian character, with my own look and my own stories separate from my Russian cousin.
Do Ukrainian children leave out treats for you, like cookies or something else?
Ukrainian children often leave out varenyky, little dumplings, or sweet pastries, along with a warm drink to help me through the cold.
Do you carry a magic staff that can make snow?
Yes, my staff can call down a light snowfall whenever I need to set the right New Year’s mood over a quiet village.
Do you come on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve in Ukraine?
New Year’s Eve is traditionally my big night in Ukraine, December 31st, filled with family, a decorated tree, and plenty of gifts.
Do you have a granddaughter or a helper who travels with you?
I often travel with a young helper called Snihuronka, the Snow Maiden, who helps me keep track of wishes and hand out gifts at parties.
Do you ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, or do you have other animals?
A horse-drawn sleigh, gliding over snowy fields and village roads, is how I get around most winters.
Do you visit children in person at New Year’s parties?
Absolutely, I love visiting schools and town squares in person, where children can tell me their wishes face to face.
Do you wear a long blue or white robe like your Russian cousin?
Yes, a long embroidered robe, often blue or white, decorated with traditional Ukrainian patterns that are a little different from my Russian cousin’s designs.
Where is your home, is it in Ukraine or somewhere else?
My home is in Ukraine, tucked away in a quiet forest, where I keep my sleigh ready year-round.
Your name means Grandfather Frost in Ukrainian, are you related to the Russian Ded Moroz?
Did Moroz does mean Grandfather Frost in Ukrainian. We come from similar old winter folklore, though in recent years many Ukrainian families have started to prefer Sviatyi Mykolai, Saint Nicholas, as their gift-giver instead of me, partly because they want a tradition that feels distinctly and fully Ukrainian. Traditions change over time, just like the people who celebrate them.
Geography: What large river flows through Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital?
The Dnipro River flows right through Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and on to the Black Sea. It is one of the longest rivers in Europe.
Social Studies: Why have some Ukrainian families started preferring other gift-givers in recent years?
Many Ukrainian families have shifted their winter celebrations toward Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th instead of relying on me, since that holiday feels distinctly Ukrainian and has deep roots of its own. It is a good example of how a country’s traditions can shift as people decide which stories feel most like home.
