Best in Kyiv

What is the best Ukrainian holiday?

UNIAN
New Year's 2001 in Kyiv rocked with festivities and fireworks.

   This week's Readers Poll, "What is the best Ukrainian holiday?" was met with much cynicism. You would think that now the long-awaited spring has arrived, people would start to thaw out a bit. It appeared our readers prefer a holiday that appeals to everyone -non-Soviet, non-denominational, non-sexist and non-political.

    Perhaps that explains why New Year's was voted the best Ukrainian holiday. Like many cultures, Ukrainians ring in the New Year with much fanfare, enthusiasm and debauchery, with fireworks, greetings and drunkenness.

    As one reader explained, "New Year's of course! Actually since communist holidays have become obsolete and Christian ones haven't caught up yet, this is the ONLY real holiday we've got. As for Independence Day, look at Mr. Kuchma and company and tell us if we have anything to celebrate."

    It also appears that our readers are crazy about the loaves of stale paskha and painted eggs that are exchanged on Easter, the central holiday of the spring equinox.

   Independence Day received a handful of votes. With some of the comments we received, you would think our readers were voting for a Ukrainian politician - the lesser of all evils. One reader opined, "Independence Day, since it's the only one that doesn't glorify either the Soviet Union or the church, Ukraine's historical oppressors. But come to think of it, life since indepen- dence hasn't been all that great either."

  Another reader chimed in with "Why is a 10-year anniversary such a stunning event in comparison with 50 years?"

    May Day - International Labor Day (May 1) and Victory Day (May 9) also garnered some votes. Although no longer celebrated as International Workers' Solidarity Day, May 1, now known as Labor and Spring Holiday, has retained a festive nature, with parades and political rallies taking place throughout the center of Kyiv. (Dana Liss)

Results
1. New Year's
2. Easter
3. Christmas
4. May Day
5. Women's Day

Others receiving votes: St. Mykola's Day; Khram; Kyiv Days; the first Tuesday of each week - followed by the last Wednesday of each week; and Ivana Kupala.