Malanka or Old New Year Celebrations is one of the most popular traditional festivals in Western Ukraine. It symbolizes the coming of spring and is celebrated every year between the 13th and 14th of January, which is New Year's Eve according to the old Julian calendar. During these two days of festivities, locals, young and old, wear traditional masks and carnival costumes and stroll from house to house singing carols, wishing households good luck, while at the same time playing pranks or performing short plays.

The village of Krasnoilsk is famous for being one of the best places to celebrate Malanka. It has a population of more than 10,000 people and is located in the Chernivtsi region, about 8 km away from the Ukrainian border with Romania. Krasnoilsk has five districts that keep the Malanka tradition alive. Each district boasts its own marching troupe and has commanders in charge of coordinating the preparation of the costumes, parade and activities. 

The Bear character is one of the most impressive costumes, weighing and looking like a haystack. Other popular characters include the King and the Queen, the Jew, the Old Man and Woman, the Gypsy as well as modern characters such as doctors, soldiers and policemen. At the end of the two days, the festival group participants meet each other at the centre of the village.

The community of Krasnoilsk has no local industry or factories, and many villagers have to search for some form of employment in neighbouring European countries. But in spite of everything, each and every year they make an effort to return home for the Malanka festivities.

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A local man wearing a Bear costume attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
A man colours his face as he prepares to celebrate winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
A boy wearing the King costume looks at Galina Isopel (13, L), as she gets her makeup done while preparing to celebrate the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Local men wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Local men wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
A local man holding a child wearing a Bear costume sings during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Locals wearing costumes sing as they walk from house to house and perform short plays during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Victor Taschuk (26) poses for a portrait wearing a costume as he attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Boys wearing Bear and Gypsy costumes pose for a portrait during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
A man wearing a traditional costume rides a horse as he and other people go from house to house and sing carols during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
A man wearing a traditional costume performs an action during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes sing as they celebrate the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Locals wearing Bear costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
A boy wearing a Gypsy costume walks as he attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Local men wearing soldiers’ uniforms together with other attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
A local man poses for a portrait wearing the costume of an Old woman during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
A local man wearing a costume attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes rest as they walk from house to house and perform short plays during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Locals wearing costumes walk from house to house and perform short plays during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes eat and drink as they attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Locals wearing Bear costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
Locals look at men wearing Bear costumes during the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 13 January 2015.
A local man wearing a costume attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Locals wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
A local man wearing a Bear costume, made of hay attends the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2016.
Locals wearing costumes attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
Locals wearing costumes sing as they attend the celebration of the winter festival Malanka in Krasnoilsk village, western Ukraine, 14 January 2015.
General view of the western Ukrainian village Krasnoilsk, 12 January 2015, where local citizens celebrate between the 13th and 14th of January the winter festival Malanka.
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