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Some of the most important events in Kyiv:
Epiphany Come January, scores of the faithful leap into the Dnipro River in Hydropark and elsewhere to celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Kyivan Rus.
Kraina Mriy Festival. VV (Vopli Vidipliasova) charismatic front-man Oleg Skripka organizes a free festival of ethnic music from Ukraine and essewhere in July during during the countrywide Ivana Kupala festival.
Kyiv days. This celebration of spring brings musicians and street performers to Andriyivsky uzviz, maydan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and other streets of the capital on the last weekend of May.
Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist. An annual event that takes place during the last week of October.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT DREAM
It involves fire, water, dancing, fortune-telling, and strong overtones of sex. So, is it any wonder the Soviet tried to quash the festival of Ivana Kupala, a pagan midsummer celebration?
Indeed, leaders since the Middle Ages - including Cossak hetmans - have tried to outlaw it, but all without success. The festival is still marked across Ukraine and beyond.
To ancient pre-Christians, Kupalo was the god of love and fertility, and young people would choose a marriage partner on this eve. Today's rituals vary, but typically begin with folk singing and a maypole-style dance performed by young women wearing white gowns and flower wreaths in their hair. After this, the women float their wreaths (symbolizing virginity) down the requisite nearby river or other body of water. A wreath that sinks indicates bad fortune in love for its owner.
Later a bonfire is lit, around which young couples dance. Couples will also jump over small fires, holding hands, to test whether - if they maintain their grip - their love will last. In ancient times, the young men would go off into the woods to seek a special 'magical' fern before dawn.
After Kyivan Rus adopted Christianity, the festival became mixed up with birthday of John the Baptist. This not only means the festival has largely been shifted from the summer solstice on 22 June to 7 July, it sometimes means people walk in the fire or jump in the river as a 'cleansing' act.
A good spot to join Kupalo celebrations is Pyrohovo in Kyiv or head to the countryside for more traditional rituals.
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