On November 30, 2026, in Tel Aviv, people will once again gather for “Andriyivski Vechornytsi” — a traditional Ukrainian evening with folk games, fortune-telling, music, dancing, and homemade treats. The event is organized by MAK_UA — Ukrainian Art Amateur Forge in Israel. The celebration will begin at 19:00 at the Ukrainian cuisine restaurant SHO? on Karlibach Street, 3. Pre-registration is required.
Author: Victoria Katsman
For those who grew up in Ukraine, the name is familiar. And for Israelis who have never attended such evenings, it’s an opportunity to get acquainted with a rather unusual part of Ukrainian folk culture. For example, to find out why adults try to bite a cake hanging on a ribbon and why this is accompanied by jokes and laughter.
What will happen at Andriyivski Vechornytsi in Tel Aviv
The organizers promise an evening where guests can not only listen to Ukrainian customs but also participate in traditional entertainment.
Program:
- Interesting stories about ancient Ukrainian customs.
- Andriyivski games and traditional fortune-telling.
- The ritual of “biting the kalita”.
- Homemade Ukrainian treats from pani Maria.
- Aromatic Carpathian mulled wine.
- Ukrainian music, communication, and lively dancing.
Participants are encouraged to complement their clothing with an embroidered shirt or any element of Ukrainian national symbolism.
The meeting will take place at the SHO? restaurant, well-known to visitors of Ukrainian cultural events in Tel Aviv. Joint projects dedicated to Ukrainian history and traditions have already been held here by MAK_UA.
What are Andriyivski Vechornytsi and why do they bite the kalita
Andriyivski Vechornytsi is one of the ancient Ukrainian customs associated with the feast of Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
In Ukrainian villages, such evenings traditionally gathered young people. Girls and boys got acquainted, sang, joked, played, and prepared treats. Special attention was given to fortune-telling about future weddings and grooms. Today, these are primarily folklore entertainments rather than serious attempts to predict fate.
The most recognizable ritual is biting the kalita.
The kalita is a large round cake baked especially for the holiday. It is decorated, hung on a ribbon, and participants try to bite off a piece, often jumping. In the traditional game, there is also a character, pan Kalitinsky, who with jokes and challenges hinders the task.
Ethnographic descriptions of this custom have preserved many regional differences. In some places, the kalita was smeared with honey, in others decorated with poppy seeds and nuts. But the main thing remained a fun competition where participation was more important than victory.
There is another detail worth explaining to Israeli readers. Previously, the feast of Andrew was celebrated on December 13 according to the old church calendar. After many Ukrainian churches switched to the new calendar, the date falls on November 30. That is why the evening in Tel Aviv is scheduled for the last day of autumn.
Who organizes the celebration
MAK_UA — Ukrainian Art Amateur Forge in Israel — is a non-profit socio-artistic association engaged in Ukrainian cultural initiatives in Israel.
Its programs include theatrical meetings, folk festivals, creative events, and family projects.
NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency has already reported on the cultural calendar of MAK_UA for the second half of 2026. Andriyivski Vechornytsi were then announced for November 30, but without a detailed program. Now the organizers have named the place, participation cost, and prepared entertainment.
For Ukrainians living in Israel, such meetings allow them to preserve familiar holidays and pass them on to their children. For Israelis of Ukrainian descent, it’s a better acquaintance with the customs of their parents, grandparents. And for guests not connected to Ukraine by family history, it’s an introduction to the country’s culture through music, food, and live communication.
Especially today, when the Russian war has forced millions of Ukrainians to live far from home, the opportunity to gather for a familiar childhood holiday takes on additional significance.
Where, when, and how to register
‘Andriyivski Vechornytsi’ — Tel Aviv, November 30, 2026.
- Date: Monday, November 30, 2026.
- Time: 19:00–23:00.
- Place: Ukrainian cuisine restaurant SHO? — Ukrainian Traditional Food.
- Address: Karlibach Street, 3, Tel Aviv.
- Participation: 120 ₪.
- Registration: via WhatsApp at 054-928-5990.
- Organizer: MAK_UA — Ukrainian Art Amateur Forge in Israel.
Official event page ‘Andriyivski Vechornytsi’ on Facebook — here you can see the organizers’ announcement, follow updates, and express your interest in the event.
Other concerts, performances, and cultural events can be found on the partner site sTDe — NAnews, Israel events poster.
This Monday, Ukrainian vechornytsi will not be held in a village house as a hundred years ago, but in a restaurant in the center of Tel Aviv. Instead of neighbors from one village, people from different cities of Ukraine and Israel will meet at the table. But the kalita, songs, jokes, and the desire to gather together again remain part of the same custom.