Ukraine includes festive tradition of Generous Night in intangible cultural heritage list

Just ahead of the New Year, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine has decided to include "Traditions of Generous Night in Ukraine" in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

The cultural heritage of any nation is not just a collection of inherited cultural values from previous generations. It's a source of life from which each nation draws, and without it, the successful development of a country is impossible.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy has already added 88 elements to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine, including those related to the New Year celebration cycle.

Until now, the traditions of singing shchedrivkas or "generous songs/carols" remained overlooked. However, they are widespread throughout Ukraine, with each region having its unique customs, celebrations, and traditional cuisine. Generous Night is also celebrated in the Ukrainian diaspora abroad.

As acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Rostyslav Karandiiev, pointed out, the Generous Night tradition is one that shapes the identity of Ukrainian people and has a cultural impact on other peoples.

For instance, the Ukrainian generous song called "Shchedryk," scored by the composer Mykola Leontovych for diplomatic and cultural tours of the newly formed Ukrainian People's Republic, was adapted in 1936 by American musician of Ukrainian origin Petro Wilhowsky with a new text, became globally known as the "Carol of the Bells" — one of the most famous Christmas songs in the world.

"Generous Night traditions are alive; they have endured challenges in our history and have survived thanks to those who carried them, those who popularized them in different times. At the same time, we have thousands of examples where national cultural heritage inspired artists to create modern works with ethnic motifs. One of the brightest manifestations is Mykola Leontovych's 'Shchedryk,'" said Karandiiev.

What's the solution?

As explained by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Emine Dzheppar, the question arose to include "Shchedryk" in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"Our goal is to show the world that the melody of 'Carol of the Bells' has genuinely Ukrainian 'citizenship.' According to UNESCO rules, one of the requirements for including an element in the global list is its inclusion in the national list of intangible cultural heritage. Therefore, today's event is an important step towards global recognition," said Dzheppar.

How does it work?

Throughout the year, the NGO "Institute of Culture of Ukraine" worked on preparing the nomination dossier under the leadership of researcher of Ukrainian cultural traditions Mariana Sobotiuk, in collaboration with Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the National Academy of Managers of Culture and Arts, NGO "Leontovych Institute," and NGO "World Embroidery Day with the support of BIG VAINS LLC."

"Generous Night traditions in Ukraine take the form of the so-called New Year's rounds. This tradition has a long history, dating back to pre-Christian times and encompassing 12 ritual dishes, customs of preparing for Generous Night, dressing up, 'leading the goat,' celebrating Malanka, and caroling. The globally renowned composition 'Shchedryk' is crucial here," said Maryna Sobotiuk.

The researcher added that the NGO and experts have already developed a global promotional campaign for the element.

• There will be themed evenings abroad with the renowned chef Yevhen Klopotenko.
• A digital show, "Generous Night," featuring singer Jerry Heil, whom the Youth Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed as the Youth Ambassador of "Shchedryk."

On December 21, the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andrii Pysnyi, and the Deputy Head of the US Mission to Ukraine, Robert Naiman, presented a set of commemorative coins, "Shchedryk – Carol of the Bells."

Moreover, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy included  "Preparation of the Ukrainian traditional dish 'Holubtsi'" from the Odesa region in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The list includes over 60 items, including cheburek making, Hutsul blanket making, wax broom making, kobzar art, pysanka writing, and more.