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PRESS RELEASE to the exposition "Saint Nicholas" on the occasion of St. Nicholas Day

These days, a ruddy, white-bearded old man travels the world with cheerful rays in his eyes, in a warm winter coat and a large bag with gifts in his hands - St. Nicholas, one of the traditional symbols of the Christmas holidays. It is also called Winter Mykola, because there is also Spring Mykola, which is celebrated on May 22.

Everyone is waiting for him and his gifts: both children and adults. After all, in Ukrainian lands Saint Nicholas has long been considered the archetype (prototype) of a good old man, which is mentioned in many folk legends, stories, fairy tales,etc. Such is this man  - merciful, wise, just. St. Nicholas - one of the most revered saints of the Christian church - a miracle worker, protector of the poor, protector of children, as well as the patron saint of travelers occupies an honorable place among the ethnic prototypes of Ukrainians that have survived to this day. Nowadays, there is a tradition that St. Nicholas brings each child a gift, which is found in the morning under the pillow. Naughty kids get bough instead of goodies and toys. However, this is not all the customs that existed among Ukrainians.

Among ukrainian dwellers of Galychyna, Transcarpathia and other western regions since the XIX century. the Catholic tradition of gifting on behalf of St. Nicholas. Led by a young man disguised as a saint, a group of young people walked around the yard, giving gifts to children, and the disobedient left a stick as a warning for the future. Through "Nicholas", boys and girls often gave gifts to their loved ones. Another good tradition is the custom of reconciling with one's enemies: "Call a friend to on Mykolay`s Day, call an enemy as well, both will be friends." The girls, who were preparing to get married, tidied up their chests: they prepared clothes and jewelry in which to meet the matchmakers. Some stories about the weather and forecasts for the future harvest were timed to the winter date. In some places, on December 4, 5 and 6, the so-called St. Nicholas holidays were celebrated. In those days kutia and uzvar were cooked so that next year there would be a harvest of fruits and barley.

Saint Nicholas is also mentioned in carols. It was the image of St. Nicholas that underwent significant folklore mythologizing, inheriting pre-Christian personifications of charitable powers. In the late XIX - early XX, in Kyiv outskirts people arranged walks, similar to Christmas caroling. Another tasty custom for St. Nicholas Day is baking "mykolaychyky" - traditional sweet cookies. Cookies can have different shapes, from simple (stars, sun, moon) to more complex (roosters, fish, grasshoppers, angels). Also common form for this treats is a form of an old man, dressed in a retinue, with a beard. According to folklore, St. Nicholas protects people from natural disasters, rescues on the waters, takes care of animals. The icons depict a white-bearded grandfather with good eyes.

The exposition "St. Nicholas" presents images of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for viewers. They represent an icon-painting school of central Ukraine. These images of the saint differ in style. Differences can be explained by the influence of different schools of icon painting. The exhibition presents icons of unknown masters of XVIII -XX centuries.

Icon "Nicholas the Wonderworker", early XX century - impresses with its rare size and shape - 133 x 67 cm, the upper part of the icon is rounded. The saint is depicted on it in full height with his right hand raised and the Gospel closed in his left hand.

Icon "Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker" early XX century – traditional by its composition, half-length image of St. Nicholas. A person, depicted here is a spiritual shepherd, strict but benevolent, with intelligent and kind eyes, with a slightly raised right hand, with which he blesses by name, and a left hand, which supports the half-opened Gospel.

Icon "Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker" of the XIX century is a half-length  image of St.Nicholas.It attracts attention with its rather unusual color for the icon.

Icon "Nicholas the Wonderworker" of the XIX century. - a small icon depicting the Saint in full length with outstretched arms, in his right hand Nicholas holds a sword, and in his left - the temple.

Icon "Nicholas the Wonderworker. The image of the Lord Jesus Christ "of the XIX century. - An interesting feature of this icon is that it has a double image: a waist-length image of St. Nicholas on one side and the image of Jesus Christ with angels on the other one.

Icon "Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker" of the XVIII century. - displays a waist-length image of St. Nicholas. These features of the icon - a combination of two bright colors. A distinctive feature of this work is the decoration of the textured frame.

You can visit the exhibition from December, 18^th at the Art Museum. 

 

Linchevska Valeria – scientific worker of the

Department of Tourist, local lore and information work of the Art Museum