Malanka

Malanka is a Ukrainian and Belarusian folk holiday celebrated on January 13, which is New Year's Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar (see Old New Year).

Malanka commemorates the feast day of Saint Melania the Younger. On this night in Ukraine, carolers traditionally went from house to house playing pranks or acting out a small play (similar to Vertep), with a bachelor dressed in women's clothing leading the troop. Malanka caps off the festivities of the Christmas holidays, and is often the last opportunity for partying before the solemn period of Lent which precedes Easter.