"Give Us a Coin, Uncle" Caroling Competition
The educational initiative "Know Your Ukraine" has concluded its Christmas caroling contest titled "Give Us a Coin, Uncle." Children and educators from across Ukraine participated by filming and sharing videos of themselves caroling in their local communities or schools on social media. This competition served as a significant effort to revive traditional Ukrainian Christmas customs and engage the younger generation with their cultural heritage. Such initiatives are particularly poignant as Ukraine works to preserve its traditions amidst ongoing challenges.
Winners received collections of contemporary literature focusing on traditional Ukrainian culture and spring rituals. They were also awarded kits for making pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) to help them prepare for Easter. The contest judges, experts from the "Know Your Ukraine. Christmas" course, selected winners primarily from southern and eastern regions of the country.
Competition Winners
- O.P. Medvedkov Teplodar Lyceum, Odesa Region
- Lyceum No. 38, Kyiv
- Romanovo-Balkivskyi Lyceum, Mykolaiv Region
- Volodymyrivskyi Lyceum, Mykolaiv Region
- Kindergarten No. 193, Kharkiv City Council
- Tsipkivska Gymnasium, Poltava Region
Hnat Korobko, a patron of the project, highlighted the importance of such initiatives for restoring Christmas traditions in regions where this connection had been disrupted. He emphasized that children's interest in their native culture and their desire to preserve Ukrainian traditions are crucial for strengthening these values within their communities.
The "Know Your Ukraine" project is implemented in partnership with cultural institutions and creates educational courses, lessons, and materials for schools and educators. To date, the project's "Pokrova" and "Christmas" courses have been completed by over 18,000 participants.
This caroling contest is part of a broader initiative aimed at preserving and promoting Ukrainian cultural heritage among youth. Events like this underscore the importance of national identity and foster intergenerational connections. In the face of contemporary challenges, including war and social change, such projects also serve as vital platforms for community unity and the revival of traditions that might otherwise be lost.