I cannot count how many times we laughted in our Ukrainian Diaspora Language Class today as we were learning Pyrohy and Borshcht special Ukrainian-Canadian Carol, and then the Ukrainian version of 12 days of Christmas. We finished on Silent Night and then the repeat of the class favourite Ukrainian version of Jingle Bells. The most fun part was connecting Usyk’s victory and one of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve dishes. Here is a story I compiled to remember the special lecture. Alwayts interesting how ChatGPT makes images from the story! Here is the story:
The classroom in Kamloops was filled with anticipation as Sasha greeted his Ukrainian Diaspora Language Class for a special holiday lesson. After their previous explorations of traditional carols, it was time to dive into the most sacred meal of the year.
“Today,” Sasha announced with a theatrical flourish, writing on the board “Святий Вечір” (Sviatyi Vechir), “we’re going to learn about the 12 dishes that either make you a master of strategic eating or a victim of delicious excess!”
He began writing essential dish vocabulary, each with a humorous subtitle:
“Кутя” (Kutya) – wheat berry pudding
“The only food you’re allowed to throw at the ceiling”
“Борщ” (Borshch) – beet soup
“The soup that permanently stains your favorite white shirt”
“Голубці” (Holubtsi) – cabbage rolls
“When cabbage becomes a divine envelope”
Yuriy laughed heartily. “My Baba always says if the kutya doesn’t stick to the ceiling, it’s because I didn’t clean it well enough last year!”
Olivia raised her hand. “Why do we need two soups?”
“Ah!” Sasha grinned, writing more dishes: “Грибова юшка” (Hrybova yushka) – mushroom soup
“Because one soup is never enough for Ukrainians! Plus,” he winked, “it’s technically a third soup if you count the fish in aspic!”
The class practiced essential survival phrases for the evening:
“Я пощу цілий день!” (Ya poshchu tsilyi den) – I’m fasting all day!
“Чекаємо на першу зірку” (Chekaiemo na pershu zirku) – We’re waiting for the first star
“Ні, той літак не рахується!” (Ni, toi litak ne rakhuietsia) – No, that airplane doesn’t count!
Sasha continued with more dishes:
“Вареники” (Varenyky) – dumplings
“The Ukrainian version of ‘one more won’t hurt’”
“Оселедець” (Oseledets) – herring
“The fish that keeps on giving… through your breath”
Just then, Dmytro burst into laughter, pulling up a photo on his phone. “Speaking of oseledets, did you guys see Usyk’s victory this weekend? He’s rocking the traditional Cossack oseledets!”
“Ah!” Sasha grinned broadly, seizing the teaching moment. “Now that’s what I call a perfect Ukrainian coincidence! Class, ‘oseledets’ isn’t just our Christmas Eve herring – it’s also the traditional Cossack haircut where they shaved their heads but left a long lock of hair on top. Our heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk proudly wears it as a symbol of our warrior heritage!”
The class erupted in laughter as Sasha drew a quick sketch on the board – a herring on one side and a Cossack hairstyle on the other, both labeled “oseledets.”
“So technically,” Julia quipped from the back, “we have two types of oseledets to be proud of this Christmas – one on our plates and one in the boxing ring!”
“That’s right!” Sasha beamed. “And both pack quite a punch – one to your taste buds and one to Tyson Fury! Усик чемпіон! (Usyk champion!)”
Continuing with the remaining dishes:
“Капуста” (Kapusta) – stewed cabbage
“Because we really, really love cabbage”
Maria, from the back row, shared: “Last year, my brother tried to convince Baba that Tim Hortons’ Timbits could count as pampushky. She nearly had a heart attack!”
Sasha wrote the remaining dishes:
“Пампушки” (Pampushky) – bread rolls
“Not to be confused with donut holes, no matter how desperate you are”
“Заливна риба” (Zalyvna ryba) – jellied fish
“The dish that tests true family loyalty”
“Пиріжки” (Pyrizhky) – stuffed buns
“Because we need more bread!”
“Квасоля” (Kvasolia) – beans
“The musical contribution to Christmas”
“Узвар” (Uzvar) – dried fruit drink
“Nature’s holy fruit punch”
The class practiced responses to common Baba interventions:
“Так, я бачу зірку!” (Tak, ya bachu zirku) – Yes, I see the star!
“Ні, це не мій шлунок гарчить” (Ni, tse ne mii shlunok harchyt) – No, that’s not my stomach growling
“Справді, більше не можу” (Spravdi, bilshe ne mozhu) – Really, I can’t eat anymore
“You see,” Sasha concluded with a knowing smile, “Sviatyi Vechir isn’t just about the 12 dishes – it’s about family, tradition, and the annual challenge of trying to save room for all twelve while your Baba insists you’re not eating enough!”
As the class ended, students shared their strategies for surviving the feast – from wearing stretchy pants to mastering the art of moving food around the plate to make it look eaten. They had discovered that whether in Ukraine or Canada, some traditions, especially those involving Babas and food, remain hilariously unchanged.
Some students were already planning to explain to their non-Ukrainian friends how a Christmas fish was also a hairstyle worn by a world champion boxer – truly a unique piece of Ukrainian cultural heritage that bridged centuries of tradition with modern-day triumph.
Sasha watched them go, knowing that in a few days they’d all be participating in this ancient tradition, some probably already mentally preparing for the moment when their Baba would ask, “Ти впевнений, що не хочеш добавки?” (Ty vpevnenyi, shcho ne khochesh dobavky? – Are you sure you don’t want seconds?) before they’d even finished their first serving of kutya.
As they left, the class was still buzzing with excitement about both the upcoming feast and Usyk’s victory – two proud Ukrainian traditions, one ancient and one modern, both featuring the beloved oseledets in their own unique ways.
PS: Here is one version of 12 dishes:
| English Name | Ukrainian Name | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Kutya | Кутя | Grain represents eternal life and prosperity; honey symbolizes heavenly bliss and good health; poppy symbolizes protection against evil forces |
| Borshch | Пісний борщ | While no specific symbolism is mentioned, this is the national dish of Ukraine prepared in a special vegan version for Christmas Eve |
| Mushroom Soup | Грибова юшка | Represents fertility; mushroom cap symbolizes Christ’s divine nature, while the leg represents His earthly nature |
| Holubtsi | Голубці | Symbolizes God’s love, the Holy Spirit, beauty and peace |
| Varenyky | Вареники | Represents prosperity, wealth and well-being for the family throughout the year |
| Marinated Herring | Маринований оселедець | Fish symbolizes Christ and the Holy Trinity; represents early Christian tradition where fish was Christ’s first monogram |
| Stewed Cabbage | Тушкована капуста | Symbolizes unity around one base |
| Pampushky | Пампушки | Represents the holiday spirit, joy from God, and the Saints in Heaven who received eternal life through faith |
| Jellied Fish | Заливна риба | Shares the fish symbolism connected to Christ and Christian beliefs |
| Pyrizhky | Пиріжки | Symbolizes health and happiness obtained through constant connection with Christ |
| Beans | Квасоля | Represents God’s spring and rebirth, familial unity, and prosperity |
| Uzvar | Узвар | Symbolizes living water that cleanses the soul and body |
For more information check this page: https://littleukrainianblog.com/food/12-dishes-for-ukrainian-christmas/
You can also have multiple varenyky with nachynka
Пісна (lean/fasting) meal:
TRADITIONAL LENTEN FILLINGS (ПІСНІ НАЧИНКИ):
- Вареники з картоплею (Varenyky z kartopleiu) – Varenyky with potatoes and onions
- Classic comfort food
- Вареники з капустою (Varenyky z kapustoiu) – Varenyky with cabbage
- Traditional lean (пісні) filling
- Вареники з грибами (Varenyky z hrybamy) – Varenyky with mushrooms
- Symbol of earth’s abundance
- Вареники з маком (Varenyky z makom) – Varenyky with poppy seeds
- Symbolizes happiness (до щастя)
- Вареники з вишнями (Varenyky z vyshniamy) – Varenyky with cherries
- Brings good luck (до везіння)
- Вареники з чорносливом (Varenyky z choroslyvom) – Varenyky with prunes and apples
- Sweet blessing
- Вареники з гречкою (Varenyky z hrechkoiu) – Varenyky with buckwheat
- Symbolizes prosperity or good news (добробут або гарні новини)
- Вареники з цибулею (Varenyky z tsybuleiu) – Varenyky with caramelized onions
- Traditional lean filling
- Вареники з горіхами (Varenyky z horikhamy) – Varenyky with walnuts
- Symbolizes health (здоров’я)
- Вареники з квасолею (Varenyky z kvasoleu) – Varenyky with beans
- Symbolizes family growth (поповнення в родині)
- Вареники з родзинками (Varenyky z rodzynkamy) – Varenyky with raisins
- Symbolizes temptation (спокуса)
- Вареники з яблуками (Varenyky z yablukamy) – Varenyky with apples
- Reward for efforts (винагорода за старання)
TRADITIONAL SURPRISE FILLINGS FOR FORTUNE TELLING (НАЧИНКИ-СЮРПРИЗИ):
- Нитка (Thread) – Journey ahead (до дороги)
- Горох (Peas) – Home comfort (домашній затишок)
- Зерно (Grain) – Wealth (багатство)
- Червоний перець (Red pepper) – Unexpected surprise (несподіванка)
- Рис (Rice) – Household prosperity (добробут в домі)
- Часник (Garlic) – Good fortune (на щастя)
- Хліб (Bread) – Good year ahead (весь рік буде хорошим)
- Сіль (Salt) – Tears (сльози)
- Цукор (Sugar) – Sweet life (солодке життя)
- Морква (Carrot) – New acquaintances (нові знайомства)
- Гудзик (Button) – New clothes (обновка)
Traditional Sviatyi Vechir Serving Suggestions (ПОДАЄТЬСЯ З):
- Зі смаженою цибулею (zi smazhenoiu tsybuleiu) – With fried onions
- З грибним соусом (z hrybnym sousom) – With mushroom sauce
- З олією (z oliieiu) – With oil
- З маком (z makom) – With poppy seeds
Important Note (ВАЖЛИВО): Remember to inform guests about any surprise fillings! These special varenyky add an element of fortune-telling to your Holy Supper, making the meal both meaningful and fun. To learn more about nachynka check here: https://kl.informator.ua/2023/01/05/shho-shovaty-u-varenykah-na-svyatvechir/
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