AP PHOTOS: Ukrainians observe pagan-rooted new year festival

AP ^ | January 23, 2022 | ETHAN SWOPE

[McGruff]

KRASNOILSK, Ukraine (AP) — Dressed as goats, bears, oxen and cranes, many Ukrainians ring in the new year in the colorful rituals of the Malanka holiday.

Malanka, which draws on pagan folk tales, marks the new year according to the Julian calendar, meaning it falls on Jan. 13-14.

In the festivities, celebrants go from house to house, where the dwellers offer them food.

[albie]

Kinda like a gay cruise line

[FreshPrince]

Ah yes. Went to many a Malanka at the Ukrainian churches I was associated with over the years... good times!

[Turbo Pig]

The big question is why did AP run this story? What is the purpose. I guarantee it’s not because of the human interest angle. They are trying to either set some narrative, of feed in to an existing one.

[ViLaLuz]

I thought the same. My thought was they’re portraying Ukrainians as heathens, maybe so Russia attacking is more acceptable.

[Covenantor]

Similar headline could be run for Mardi Gras or Mexican Day of the Dead.

[WellyP]

Looks like fun..... I’m sure there are drinking games involved!

[caww]

[john drake]

Agreed. The handful of Ukrainians I’ve known were devout Christians, primarily Orthodox or Catholic.

[liberalh8ter]

Of all the Countries in all the world, why the Ukraine and this festival? We all know what they're up to and it's laughable that the AP chooses to use a religious angle to drum up support for Putin.

[ealgeone]

I thought the same. My thought was they’re portraying Ukrainians as heathens, maybe so Russia attacking is more acceptable.

And to diminish possible US and/or NATO support for such heathen activities.

[Renfrew]

Also Halloween

[caww]

[Artemis Webb]

You’re both correct. When has the A.P. EVER cared if someone was pagan or not.

[Thunder90]

Trying to paint Putin in a good light and keep the attention off of what he really is... a Soviet dictator.

[FlyingEagle]

APCIA

[ViLaLuz]

Blackface... one of the SJW cardinal sins. That alone will have snowflakes begging Putin to destroy Ukraine.

[PistolPaknMama]

Looks like fun to me! No different from a lot of other holidays around our globe. They probably didn’t even loot and burn minority businesses. AP must want us to think they are 3rd world satan worshippers.