Exploring Midsummer Traditions of Ukraine

Come join musician and storyteller Beverly Dobrinsky as she explains the origins and traditions of the Ukrainian midsummer celebration Ivana Kupala. Sitting amongst hundreds of flowers and sharing some simple traditional food and drink, we’ll learn about the historical merging of pagan summer solstice and the Christian Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. Beverly will outline cultural aspects such as the clothing, food, songs, stories and rituals that mark the magical time of transition between summer solstice and harvest time, and she’ll help us prepare for Summer Solstice (which takes place the following day), by teaching us how to make head wreaths (vinoks) from local greenery (zeellia), as young women in Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe have done for thousands of years. We’ll also learn a Ukrainian solstice song and explore myths such as the elusive flowering fern, a plant so secretive that it only reveals itself at midnight on midsummer’s eve.

All of Beverly’s previous Secret Salons were extremely well attended and tickets are expected to go quickly, so please book your spot as soon as possible.

Produced by Secret Lantern Society in partnership with the AIA Arts In Action Society.

Event Notes / Be Prepared:

• Tickets are available by sliding scale: $20-$40. Suggested admission: $30.
• Doors open at 5:45 PM and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM. Please do your best to be on time as late arrivals will be disruptive to activities in progress.
• Space is limited to 20 participants so please register early.
• We will provide wild-harvested local greenery for the wreath-making but please bring any additional foliage from abandoned sites or your gardens to personalize your wreath.
• Beverly will bring a homemade traditional food, and if you are so moved, please bring some fruit to share.
• Wear something you find beautiful and comfortable. Feel free to wear any vyshyvanky (embroidered shirt, dress or scarf) you may have, but be aware that we will be actively making vinoks, eating and drinking.

Your donation contributes directly to supporting our programming to continue ongoing learning and cultural sharing. If you have financial barriers preventing you from purchasing a ticket, please email admin@secretlantern.org and we will do our best to accommodate.