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Having Dinner with Viktoria Dyshkant

Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated from Christmas Eve (January 6) through the Feast of the Epiphany. The Christmas Eve Supper, also known as the Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper), gathers the family together to celebrate the holiday and start numerous long-standing rituals and traditions. The family cooks Christmas dinner with 12 dishes that represent 12 apostles. The main dish  is kutia, which is a mix of boiled grains, honey, nuts, poppy seeds, dried fruits, and other toppings.  As a rule , this dish comes first. There might also be mushrooms, fish, varenyky, potatoes, etc. on the Christmas table. Christmas Day comes the morning after Christmas Eve. On this day, Ukrainians stop fasting and go to church and see their families. Koliada, which means "Christmas caroling," is another old tradition. During Koliada, kids and teens visit their neighbors, relatives, and friends, where they sing traditional songs and wish the families well. In exchange, the hosts give the Koliada participants gifts like candy, fruit, or cash.