Ukrainians hold traditional end of winter festival

During the festival the winter doll is burnt to welcome spring

Ukrainian refugees are holding a festival widely celebrated in their homeland to mark the end of winter.

The event has been organised by a group living in north Northumberland.

Masnytsia was held for the first time last year in the Alnwick Garden.

Organiser Oksana Shevchuk, 44, said: "It's so important we remember and preserve our culture."

The festival is celebrated in slightly different ways across Eastern Europe

"I come from Kyiv where the festival is quite widely celebrated," she added.

"So last year I suggested we hold it here in Northumberland and more than 50 people came along.

"During the festival we burn a winter doll to symbolise the end of winter, and after all this bad weather, it feels like we are really ready for spring."

Oksana Shevchuk and Iryna Zhomer are from different parts of Ukraine but have become good friends in Northumberland

Her friend Iryna Zhomer, 40, helped with the organisation.

"We eat a type of pancakes called Mlyntsi which can be eaten with different fillings with cheese, meat or eggs" she said.

During the festival a fire is lit which symbolises the end of winter

"This festival has a religious background from where I am from in the western part of Ukraine," she added.

"It is often called the Sunday of forgiveness and people usually go to a church service and think about their sins and how to live a better life."

Andrew Duff from the Alnwick Ukraine Support Group says the Ukrainians have shared many of their traditions

Andrew Duff is chair of the Alnwick Ukraine Support Group which has helped Mrs Zhomer and Mrs Shevchuk with the event.

"There is a large group of Ukrainians in north Northumberland, up to 100 if you include the children," he said.

"They've given us their friendship and taught us about their wonderful cooking and their music.

"They enjoy our culture too, they love learning about Northumberland."

The event will be held on Sunday at Alnwick Garden for anyone from Ukraine and their sponsors.

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