Cultural Presentation

[Taylor Johnson]

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I did my presentation on Ukrainian wedding traditions. Ukraine has an interesting set of traditions associated with weddings, and the celebrations last much longer than American weddings. The festivities often start on the eve of Ivana Kupala day, when young couples go into the forest in search of a rare flower. The girls go in wearing a vinok, and if a couple comes of of the forest together with the man wearing the vinok, the two are engaged. The process then involves the families of the two. There is a process of blessing the wedding, and then wishing the couple good luck and happiness. Then the celebrations begin and there are several songs typically played during reception ceremonies (one is included in my presentation). Finally, the tradition of "kidnapping the bride" is when the bridesmaids "kidnap" the bride and give the groom clues so he can find her.