02/22/2008 06:37 PM

The Ancient Ukrainian Tradition of Pysanka

In ancient Ukrainian culture, eggs were decorated in a style called Pysanka (plural ‘Pysanky’), using wax and dye. Back in Pagan times, Pysanky where thought to protect people and were placed in homes for that purpose. They were also placed in caskets to capture evil spirits. The artwork on the Pysanky has no definitive visible beginning or [...]

02/20/2008 02:30 PM

Elaborately Decorated Eggs for Easter In Eastern Europe

Guest Blogger, Ed Gawlinski, has been involved in many cultural organizations throughout his life. Here, he discusses Easter traditions in several Eastern European cultures. A common custom is to color hard boiled eggs for Easter. We usually colored them on Good Friday, while eating hot cross buns… Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, one ha’ penny, two [...]

02/19/2008 01:39 PM

Can Anyone Help with a Ukrainian or Russian Song about a Butterfly?

My friend Marijka, whose family is from Ukraine, is looking for the full words to a childrens song that her grandmother used to sing to her when she was young. It’s about a butterfly. She’s not sure if it’s originally Ukrainian or Russian. Marijka recorded for me the part she knows. Click here [...]

04/14/2007 03:08 PM

Can Someone Help with a Russian or Ukrainian Song?

I recently received this email: My mom who was an orphan remembers her dad (from the Ukraine) singing a song that sounds like “estonya monya ti la zuka; estonya monya lo bi…” can anyone relate? If anyone can help with this song, please comment below, or email me. Thanks! Lisa

03/12/2007 09:36 AM

The French Song “Ivan, Boris et moi” is in a Ukrainian Commercial

Stanislav wrote to me looking for a French song that’s in a Ukrainian commercial: Hello, I stumbled upon your website while looking for one song. Although my request might sound a little strange, I thought I’d write you and ask anyway. I live in Ukraine and there is a TV commercial here with a French song in [...]

01/06/2007 08:35 PM

How to Find Sheet Music, Tunes and MP3’s on Mama Lisa’s World

In addition to this blog, I also host Mama Lisa’s World. Mama Lisa’s World is a large collection of children’s songs and rhymes from countries all around the globe. Matt, a music teacher from Rhode Island, wrote a question to me, the other day, about Mama Lisa’s World: Hey Mama, I love the concept of your site. [...]

10/12/2006 09:46 AM

Looking for a Ukrainian Children’s Song

Andrew wrote me yesterday… Hello, I’ve had this song stuck in my head since Ukrainian camp when I was a little boy. I know some of the words but the spelling is wrong. Maybe you can help me find what song is stuck in my head. It goes something like this: Dujza tila ne po rodu… I pokajze …. [...]