The history of the New Year in Ukraine: how the changes of festive characters reflect the spirit of the era
Not so long ago, Santa Claus was an integral part of winter celebrations in Ukraine. It was almost impossible to imagine the New Year without this bearded character, with his red bag and solemn greeting “Happy New Year!”. But times change, and symbols with them. However, Ukraine is increasingly rethinking its traditions, abandoning “Soviet relics” in favor of national or modern Western analogues. In general, the New Year is a holiday that has experienced many transformations, wars and revolutions, but has always remained a reason for joy. In Ukraine, it has always had a special meaning. However, today the festive attributes, which seemed indestructible, are changing, and one of the main “victims” was Santa Claus.
The story of the appearance of Santa Claus turned out to be much more complicated than it seems at first glance. Today, this seemingly innocent hero of children’s holidays found himself at the center of cultural disputes. So let’s figure out together where he came from, how his image changed in the Soviet era, and why his current exile is part of deeper cultural processes.
The history of the tradition of celebrating the New Year
The celebration of the New Year has such a long and exciting history that it seems that humanity itself has been celebrating it almost since its inception. The turn of the year has always been a special moment — a time of renewal, taking stock, and starting a new cycle. The first mentions of celebrating the New Year date back to 2000 BC. In ancient Mesopotamia, the new year was celebrated in the spring, on the vernal equinox, when nature awakened to life. This holiday was called Akitu and lasted for 12 days, filled with rituals, sacrifices and theatrical events.
In ancient Rome, the celebration of the beginning of the year was associated with the god Janus, the two-faced patron of doors, transitions and new beginnings. In 46 BC, Julius Caesar reformed the calendar and established January 1 as the official start of the year. This day was dedicated to Janus, and people decorated their houses, exchanged gifts and made promises for the future.
In the Middle Ages, the celebration of the New Year was banned. The Christian Church considered this a pagan tradition and moved the beginning of the year to other dates, for example, Christmas or Easter. Only in the 16th century, after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, January 1 again became the official start of the year in most European countries.
On the territory of modern Ukraine, until the 18th century, the New Year was celebrated on March 1, together with the arrival of spring. But after the reforms of Peter I, which focused on Western European traditions, the beginning of the year was moved to January 1. Despite this, folk traditions associated with spring remained alive for a long time, which can still be seen in our Christmas carols, shedrivkas and malankas.
Today, the New Year is a real global holiday. It combines ancient rites, religious traditions and modern culture. Now we decorate Christmas trees, set off fireworks and make plans for the future, without even thinking that these habits have a thousand-year history. Celebrating the New Year is not just a calendar transition, but evidence that humanity has always longed for a new beginning, hoped for the best and respected time as the most valuable resource. Although the forms of celebration change, their essence remains unchanged: faith in renewal and a better future.
Where did Santa Claus come from?
But let’s not forget about the main character who accompanies the New Year holidays. Santa Claus is a character with a long and complicated history. Its roots go back to Slavic mythology, where Moroz (or Triskun) was a harsh winter spirit that brought cold and sometimes wealth in the form of a bountiful harvest. However, the image we know arose much later.
The image of a grandfather handing out gifts to children on New Year’s Eve originates from St. Nicholas. It is called in Dutch Sinterklaas, where the name Santa Claus came from. In each country, this New Year image has its own embodiment. So, in English-speaking countries such as Great Britain, the United States and Canada, Santa Claus travels in a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer, climbs into a chimney and leaves gifts for children in stockings. The little boy, in turn, leaves a small treat for the fairy-tale grandfather – a glass of milk and cookies. But the real homeland of Santa Claus is considered to be Finland, where he is called Joulupukki, which means “Christmas goat” in Finnish. In ancient times, it was a scary character who wore a mask with horns and punished naughty children. But over time, grandfather improved and every year he flies from Lapland on Christmas Eve to give children gifts.
In the Russian Empire, winter holidays were associated with carols and Saint Nicholas, who gave gifts to children. But with the advent of Soviet power, the church and all its symbols were banned. Therefore, Santa Claus and the Christmas tree itself were banned as a bourgeois relic. The fabulous grandfather returned to a solemn holiday in Kharkiv on December 30, 1935. Before this event, all carnival holidays were held without a Christmas tree. On that festive day, 1,200 children gathered around the green beauty in the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers and Yellow Cubs. Malecha dressed up in a variety of carnival costumes: record-breaking Stakhanovites, brave polar explorers, revolutionary sailors and heroes of the civil war. Everyone around led round dances, and they were accompanied by the father of the future actress Lyudmila Gurchenko – Mark Gavrylovich. After that, such Christmas trees began to appear in all other cities of the Soviet Union. In 1936, in Kharkiv, they began to put up a Christmas tree not only in the Palace of Pioneers, but also in front of the city executive committee. Christmas trees began to be decorated at home as well, Santa Claus again began to deliver small gifts, and in 1937 the Snow Maiden began to accompany the fairy-tale grandfather.
Santa Claus became an ideologically neutral character who was supposed to give joy in the “correct”, non-religious context. His image was formed under the influence of the Western Santa Claus, but with important differences: Santa Claus was stricter, wore a long coat instead of a jacket and a bag with gifts, which he gave to obedient children after their rhymes.
From Santa Claus to Santa Claus: how Ukraine is changing
After gaining independence, Ukraine began to rethink its holidays. Although Santa Claus remained popular in the 1990s and 2000s, gradually his symbolism began to be perceived as part of the Soviet past. The attempt to replace Father Frost with Santa Claus in the Ukrainian holiday space has turned into a cultural battle in which different eras, ideologies and ideas about holiday magic collide. Ideologues tried to create a secular alternative to religious figures such as Saint Nicholas.
In independent Ukraine, the idea of abandoning the “red coat” in favor of a more universal and western symbol — Santa Claus — is being heard more and more often. Why him? Santa Claus is a character who has come a long way from Saint Nicholas to a brand known in every corner of the world. This jolly, ruddy-cheeked, ho-ho-ho sounding Santa has become a symbol of Christmas and commercial culture. Santa has it all: flying reindeer, a workshop at the North Pole, helper elves and an unlimited supply of presents. Thanks to popular culture, movies, and Coca-Cola commercials, Santa Claus has become so popular that he has supplanted many local holiday characters.
In Ukraine, the replacement of Santa Claus by Santa Claus caused another controversy in the society – on the one hand, for many, Santa Claus is a part of childhood, a symbol that preserves nostalgia. On the other hand, Santa Claus is perceived as a more modern and “advanced” image that fits into global trends. His supporters believe that Santa is more in line with the spirit of modernity. Opponents fear that together with Santa Claus we are losing something of our own. This change also has a political context: the rejection of the Soviet past and the adoption of Western traditions are part of Ukraine’s general course towards European integration.
But there is another player in this game – Saint Nicholas. Many Ukrainians believe that he should take the place of Santa Claus, because Nicholas is closer to Ukrainian traditions and is part of our cultural heritage. His image is a symbol of kindness, mercy and hope that has come down to us through the centuries. A cozy evening on the eve of December 19, children’s shoes under the pillow and the sweet rustle of gifts – all these are traditions that Ukrainians cherish and love. Saint Nicholas was born around the year 270 in the city of Patara, which is on the territory of modern Turkey. He was a bishop in Myra (today it is Demre) and became famous for his kindness and help to the needy. Legends tell about how Nicholas secretly helped the poor. For example, one of the most famous stories is about three sisters who could not marry because of poverty. In order to preserve their dignity, Nicholas threw three bags of gold through the window. This act became the basis of the tradition of giving gifts.
The cult of St. Nicholas came to Ukraine together with Christianity in the 10th century. Over time, he became one of the most revered saints. In folk beliefs, Nicholas was the patron saint not only of children, but also of travelers, sailors, and even animals. On Ukrainian icons, he always looks stern, but benevolent. This is not a wizard with a magic wand, but a wise mentor who helps those in need.
In Ukraine, the tradition of “gifts from Nicholas” began when children put their shoes or socks on the windowsill or under the pillow on the night of December 18-19. In the morning, sweets, fruits or small gifts were found there. But this is not just a game: a gift is a symbol of reward for good behavior and good deeds. It is interesting that in Western Ukraine this tradition was preserved even during the Soviet ban, when they tried to replace Saint Nicholas with Santa Claus.
Saint Nicholas has not lost its relevance today. His image is gaining popularity in Ukraine, gradually displacing Santa Claus. Nicholas personifies not only the holiday, but also deep Christian values - help, generosity and love for one’s neighbor. So, when you put gifts under your pillow, remember: you are not just continuing a tradition, but becoming a part of a great story that began over a thousand years ago.
Perhaps Ukraine should not copy either Santa Claus or Santa Claus, but create its own unique character who would combine our traditions and modernity and not divide society on this issue. Or give more space to St. Nicholas, who is already a part of Ukrainian culture, but is still losing the battle for attention. And although the substitution of one for the other seems natural in a globalized world, it is important to remember: the true spirit of the holiday is not the character, but the values we invest in its celebration.
We are moving from imposed traditions to our own unique holiday code that combines our past and present. New Year without Santa Claus? Perhaps this is just the beginning of a new, even more exciting way to celebrate. And although changes always cause discussions, the main thing is that the holiday remains what it has always been: a moment of unity, joy and faith in a better future.
