Easter preparation in Ukraine (Level B1)

1. Warm-up. Let's talk a bit.

What do you usually do before Easter? 🔊

Do you help your family prepare? What do you do? 🔊

What is your favorite Easter tradition? 🔊

2. Complete the sentences

decorating eggs 🔊 baking Easter bread 🔊 cleaning the cemetery 🔊 keeping the fast 🔊 cleaning the yard 🔊 spring cleaning 🔊 whitewashing trees 🔊 buying new clothes 🔊

🔊 1. Before Easter, many families do to make their homes fresh and clean.

🔊 2. My grandparents always do in the garden in spring.

🔊 3. In villages, people often do to take care of fruit trees.

🔊 4. My mom loves a few days before Easter.

🔊 5. Children enjoy in bright colours.

🔊 6. Some people before Easter for spiritual reasons.

🔊 7. Many families like for the holiday celebration.

🔊 8. Before Easter, people visit graves and do to show respect.

3. Take a look at the pictures. What can you see here? Describe your preparations for Easter, using the new vocabulary.

🔊 Collage 1: Preparations

They are painting and decorating pysanky and baking delicious Easter bread (Paska).

🔊 Picture 2: The Paska

I can see a beautifully decorated traditional Easter bread, or Paska.

🔊 Collage 3: Baskets & Cloths

People are preparing Easter baskets and whitewashing traditional Ukrainian cloths.

🔊 Picture 4: Clothes & Decor

They are buying new clothes and festive Easter decorations for the home.

4. Easter Q&A: Click the card to flip it

Why do people bake Paska?

People bake Paska to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

What is the main colour of Pysanka?

Pysankas are traditionally painted in many bright, symbolic colours.

Why do we visit the cemetery?

We visit the cemetery to honour and remember our ancestors and loved ones.

Is fasting popular?

Yes, many people keep the fast before Easter for spiritual preparation.

When do people start preparing?

People usually start preparing several weeks before Easter by cleaning and fasting.

What do families cook?

Families cook traditional Paska (Easter bread), paint eggs, and prepare various meat dishes.

What are pysanky?

Pysanky are traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs decorated with intricate, symbolic wax-resist patterns.

Where do people take the basket?

People take their decorated Easter baskets to church to be blessed by a priest.

What do families do after church?

After church, families gather at home to break the fast and enjoy the festive Easter meal.

How long does the Easter celebration last?

Easter Sunday is the main day, but celebrations often continue for the whole week (Bright Week).

5 & 6. Watch and Tick

Watch the video below and tick the items you hear mentioned:

ham horseradish pussy willows eggs mustard sugar cream cheese salt bread butter honey candies Easter bread water some milk

7. Let's discuss!

What are you going to put in your Easter basket? What do you usually take?

Model answer: "In my Easter basket, I usually put Paska, painted eggs (pysankas), some salt, butter, and a piece of meat. I also like to add some colourful ribbons and a candle."