The little birds chirped in the groves of Palatyna.
Our people have traditions that are not just preserved. They live in the heart, passed down from generation to generation, echoing in every breath of the spring wind and resonating in our Ukrainian destinies scattered around the world. One of these traditions is the Easter haivky - true gems of folk art, ancient ritual songs and games that come alive with the Easter bells.
As soon as the festive Liturgy ends, the churchyard fills with unrestrained chatter, laughter, singing, and movement. The special atmosphere of haivky begins! Oh, how parishioners, especially the children of the Immaculate Conception Church in Palatine, look forward to it! They wait all year, from the last Easter, with their friendly parish family.
For the fifth consecutive year, the active participants of the "Ethnos" ensemble, under the leadership of the tireless Natalia Figel, as well as Vasylina Pasternak and Inna Kanyuka, have organized this festive event in Palatine. They always prepare for it in advance. This year was no exception. The girls handmade entire garlands of colorful ribbons, created decorations, crafted vibrant tassels, and baked traditional dough birds (as many as 237), which the children later enjoyed.
The haivky took place in the SUM auditorium. The program was very interesting, meaningful, and rich. Participants of the "Ethnos" ensemble, dressed in costumes from different regions of Ukraine, created an atmosphere of living cultural heritage that speaks to us through folk clothing, songs and dances, the pure Ukrainian language, and our traditions and rituals. Everything was extraordinarily sincere, festive, and familial. The light of Easter and the blessing of the resurrected Christ, who gives us love, teaches us love, and expects love from us, was truly felt. The smiles, happy eyes of the children, and the joy of their parents spoke for themselves. It is very gratifying that there are many little ones in our community, as this is a great hope for the future, a great hope that we will preserve a piece of Ukraine here, abroad.
The trio of bandura players "Alvia" - Alina, Vira, and Yana - added a special sound to the celebration. Their live singing and bandura playing became a true adornment of the festive meeting. The program also included the church choir of the Immaculate Conception Church under the direction of Ihor Shumsky, and the children's choirs "Vodohrai" and "Anhelyk" under the incredible Maria Kyrychenko. The children's voices sounded especially sincere. And when children's singing is heard, the world becomes purer and brighter. Children's singing is a reminder of what we, as adults, were and what, in a certain sense, we should remain. It is trust, hope, and faith in all that is bright and pure, which should be as abundant as possible in our lives.
Haivky... They also sounded special. Every word, every game, every round dance and dance in the circle testified that they are not just performed, they are lived. Those who have participated in such an event before were confident and active. Those who were there for the first time watched the older ones and very much wanted to learn themselves. And together they resembled those little birds sung about: the bird chirped under the window, hoping for spring with the sun... Because spring and the sun are hope for life. They fill the haivky: here is the call of spring, the farewell to the cold, the hope for a bountiful year, and the hope for a bright fate.
In the modern world, where the pace of life often displaces traditions, haivky, like all folk culture, become a confident voice of our identity. They return us to the true: to sincerity, to simplicity, to the joy of being together and feeling the great love of God. When a haivka is sung, it seems as if the earth itself sings. So let the haivky sound louder every year! Let their singing unite families, communities, and entire generations! Let all everyday worries and troubles dissolve in this singing. Let every word touch the finest strings of the soul, awakening faith, hope, and love. For as long as we stand in a circle, as long as we hold hands and sing together, we are invincible!
Sincere gratitude to all the organizers, all the participants of the grand and truly family event — the Easter haivky in Palatine. Special thanks to Petro Kovtun for the incredible photos, viewing which feels like reliving that day.
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! And may our native Ukraine be resurrected to a new peaceful life!
Photos by Petro Kovtun
