Vesnianky

Vesnianka (Ukrainian: Becнянкa; also referred to as Hahilkа, Hailkа, Haivkа, Yahilkа, or Rohulkа) is a type of spring dance songs performed in the lands of present-day Ukraine which have been performed for thousands of years.

The New Year began with the revival of the surrounding nature and with the awakening of Mother Earth from her winter sleep, with the first plowing and sowing.

Spring was greeted joyfully and magnificently, with songs, dances, and games.

Later, during the Christian era, as the church fought against paganism and banned any entertainment and secular singing during Lent, in some regions vesnianky were sung during Easter.

In the twentieth century, in Western Polissia (Pinshchyna), the ritual of expelling Winter was performed on Easter.