Summer Calendar Rituals of Ukrainians in the Cherkasy Region (Mid-20th – First Quarter of the 21st Century)

Relevance.The article explores the summer calendar rituals of Ukrainians in the Cherkasy region (the villages of Mliiv, Teklyne, and Balakleia) from the mid-20th to the first quarter of the 21st century. It analyzes the regional specificity of summer cycle celebrations (Trinity, Ivan Kupala, Saints Peter and Paul, Makovii, and Spas holidays), contemporary trends in their observance among youth, as well as local residents’ attitudes toward the transition to the Revised Julian calendar. The methodology is based on field ethnographic research: author-conducted interviews and surveys of local residents, primarily older women and adolescents. The collected materials made it possible to trace the peculiarities of festive practices and their transformation under the influence of Soviet policy and modern socio-cultural changes. The results demonstrate the preservation of a significant part of traditions with pre-Christian elements (in particular, the ritual of klechannia on Trinity, wreath weaving and jumping over fire on Ivan Kupala), as well as the agrarian symbolism of the holidays of Saints Peter and Paul, Makovii, and Spas. At the same time, there is a partial loss of ritual functionality and a symbolic reduction of practices. The transition to the Revised Julian calendar is perceived ambivalently: the older generation sees it as a cultural barrier, while young people mostly distance themselves from active participation. The conclusions emphasize the importance of supporting and promoting the traditional culture of Cherkasy region as a factor in shaping local identity. The study also opens the prospect for further analysis of other seasonal cycles of calendar rituals in the context of modern transformations.