For those with Ukrainian heritage, Malanka is about so much more than the dancing and celebration, it's about preserving that heritage with a tradition that dates back hundreds of years.
Local Ukrainian Beatrice Fotty has been attending the Bonnyville Malanka since 1975. Once a Ukrainian dancer herself, Fotty has had the pleasure of watching her two now-adult sons dance at Malanka.
“Our son Kyle danced as a 3-year-old, joined hockey and then came back to Ukrainian dancing for a bit. Our other son Kurt danced when he was 7-years-old and decided to dance all the way until Grade 12, and he's continuing to dance now (that he is) in Australia.”
The Malanka is put on annually by the Bonnyville Kryla Ukrainian Dancers to celebrate the Ukrainian New Years. Dressed in the country's traditional clothing, 87 performers dance in groups representing the different regions of the Ukraine. President of the Kryla Ukrainian Dancers Linda Boser said it's about keeping a sacred tradition alive through a family event.
“Malanka is definitely a Ukrainian tradition. Many communities have a Ukrainian dance group but they don't keep this tradition of Malanka alive. In Ukraine, Malanka has always been a very hallowed night where you all come together and sort of play and have a family evening, so we just try to keep that tradition alive,” said Boser.
Despite no longer having children participating in Malanka, Fotty and her family continue to attend Malanka year after year to keep the Ukrainian way of life alive for generations to come.
“It's very important and we know that our oldest son (Kyle) will carry the tradition on. He makes sure we eat the 12 dishes at the Ukrainian Christmas, he makes sure we keep on all of the traditions…We're also very proud that (Kurt) has been able to keep the tradition and keep dancing across the world. Who would have dreamed that he'd be dancing in Australia of all places.”
Another family making sure their Ukrainian culture is preserved was the Kunec's, who had three generations attending Malanka. For Jackie Kunec, being at the event with her son and grandson brings back memories.
“When (my sons) started (dancing with Kryla) I helped with the costumes. I made three Hustul vests and then I was the costume chairperson. I was involved for 10 to 12 years. I actually did those streamers on the stage years ago, I helped organize getting the stage and the background years ago. We never ordered costumes, they were all made in the club - all the satin pants, the maroon vests, everything.”
Kunec, who had two sons (Nicholas and Nathan) that danced with Kryla for 12 years, said she's confident the Ukrainian culture will be passed down in her family.
“My middle son was just married and he said, ‘if I have a son he will take Ukrainian dancing because I learned to dance and Nick learned to dance'. It's actually funny, my baby was married in March and he had to take dance lessons before his wedding because his wife wanted him to swoop her and he never took dance so he didn't know how to.”
While too young to get in on the dancing, Kunec said her grandson is already getting used to the traditional Ukrainian food.
“We noticed that our grandson loves the wheat! He's already eaten three little containers of it.”
But he wasn't the only one enjoying the festivities; Boser said they sold 593 tickets to this year's Malanka. Following the dinner and performance by the Kryla Ukrainian Dancers, guests got a chance to get out on the dance floor themselves. For those that didn't get a chance to attend Malanka, Kryla's spring concert this year will follow a similar format. Boser said it's usually a smaller affair, but they've decided for this year to make it a larger event with a supper and dance. The spring concert will take place on Apr. 25.
