Shrovetide – Learning Our Traditions

The basis of human culture is the knowledge of national traditions. What seems to be primitive ancient rites, ancient everyday life and folk-art preserves and passes on valuable information – history, world vision and philosophy of our wise ancestors. The valuable information (history, world vision and philosophy of our wise ancestors) is preserved and transmitted in the primitive-like ancient rites, life and folk-art. It is very important that in the multiethnic age of informational technologies children continue to discover their country’s culture.

This is why the foundation staff eagerly responded to requests of the Gyodz, Mishenko and Khutorny families (family type orphanages where 10-15 stepchildren live in one big happy family) and helped them to organize a very informative and interesting Shrovetide celebration. From 13 to 15 of March as a part of the Good Cause Every Day promo event the foundation held a series of excursions for the children in the restored “Mamaeva Sloboda” village.During an entertaining walk the children got acquainted with authentic Ukrainian life-style, architecture, religion and attended a master class in making dumplings. They were surprised that text-book notions in real life turned out to be even more interesting than computer games and walks in the yard.

The children learned about the old Cossack “mobile connection”, discovered the meaning of secret decor-signs in the village houses. They were also told about the way relationships were built and people behaved in a traditional Cossack village. And then, singing merry and lyrical folk songs, all the children made a national dish – dumplings filled with meat, fish or jam, which turned to be traditional Ukrainian fertility symbol during the “Kolodiy” holiday (later – Shrovetide). The “kitchen work” was enjoyable and interesting, because cooking can be done with love, turning monotonous pastry rolling into a magic and festive ritual, as our glorious ancestors did long ago!

The foundation employees appreciate the tour guides’ enthusiasm and sincerity, which they showed while telling the children about the spiritual traditions of the functioning Cossack church and stories of unusual Ukrainian icons (sharing the spiritual traditions of the functioning Cossack church and the stories of unusual Ukrainian icons with the children.

We admire the kindness and spiritual strength of the families who organized the family-type orphanages. The foundation representatives are glad that Ukraine has so many kind and noble people, who with their own example show the society that there are no “unwanted children”! It is important to remember that the Ukrainian nation, its culture and traditions are based first of all on eternal family values. This is why Konstantin Kondakov Charity Foundation gladly helps such families to revive the national cultural traditions and organizes tours for those who seek knowledge and spiritual development. With love in our hearts we are building a new world!