Travel in Ukraine portal. Ukraine message board and forum. Information about Kiev, Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv and other cities of Ukraine.

Before the Great October Revolution of 1917 the Russian Empire lived 13 days behind the rest of the world. Upon the revolution Russia and Ukraine had switched to the western calendar, but for many conservative people it was unacceptable to celebrate New Year before Christmas. Their tradition to celebrate the date survived through decades but didn’t become an official holiday.