Sorochyntsi Fair: A Ukrainian Tradition Awaiting Its Return

Imagine a summer day in the Poltava region of Ukraine, filled with traditional music, colorful folk clothing, handmade crafts, and the smell of local food. This is the atmosphere associated with the Sorochyntsi Fair, one of Ukraine's best-known traditional fairs. Rooted in centuries-old Ukrainian customs, it brought together folk art, crafts, food, music, and local celebrations.

Although the fair is not currently held, its legacy remains an important part of Ukraine's cultural heritage. It is closely connected with Velyki Sorochyntsi, a village in the Poltava region made famous by writer Mykola Gogol. Today, the name Sorochyntsi Fair continues to evoke the rich history and folk traditions of the region.

History of the Sorochyntsi Fair

The history of the Sorochyntsi Fair goes back several centuries. The fair became especially well known through the writer Nikolai Gogol, who was born in the Poltava region. He featured the village of Velyki Sorochyntsi in his famous story Sorochyntsi Fair, part of the collection Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka. The story describes a busy fair with traders, visitors, carts, goods, and lively conversations.

Traditional fairs were once common across Ukraine, but many disappeared after the 1920s as the Soviet system brought trade under state and cooperative control. Large private markets became much less common.

The fair at Sorochyntsi returned in 1966. Traders, manufacturers, and cooperatives from the Poltava region and other parts of Ukraine began coming to Velyki Sorochyntsi again. Visitors traveled long distances to buy goods, meet sellers, and enjoy the atmosphere of the fair.

The tradition faced new challenges in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Economic problems and shortages made it difficult to keep large events going. However, the fair gained official national status in August 1999 through a presidential decree. This helped establish it as one of Ukraine's best-known traditional fairs.

Ukrainian Traditions at the Sorochyntsi Fair

The event is known as a celebration of Ukrainian culture rather than simply a market. It combines trade, entertainment, traditional crafts, music, and food, creating a lively atmosphere where visitors can experience Ukrainian customs up close. At the fair, visitors can usually find and buy handmade pottery, embroidered textiles, traditional Ukrainian clothing, wooden crafts, souvenirs, decorative items, honey, baked goods, homemade foods, and other locally produced goods. Many of its traditions also come to life through music, performances, crafts, and community gatherings.

• Open-air trading fills the fairground with sellers, buyers, and lively conversations.

• Folk music and dancing turn different parts of the fair into places for spontaneous entertainment.

• Traditional Ukrainian clothing adds color to performances and helps recreate the look of historic village celebrations.

• Craft demonstrations let visitors watch artisans work and see traditional skills in action.

• Community celebrations bring performers and visitors together, creating an atmosphere that is difficult to experience in a museum or formal exhibition.

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Sorochyntsi Fair Today

The traditional Sorochyntsi Fair is currently on hold. Since 2022, the annual multi-day celebrations and large-scale trading at the fairgrounds in Velyki Sorochyntsi have been suspended for safety reasons, including the lack of suitable large shelters.

In 2023, the organizers held a one-time traveling fair presentation in Lviv. The event was organized as an act of solidarity to support Ukrainian artisans and businesses during the war. The fair was not permanently moved to Lviv.

The organizers and representatives of the Poltava Regional Military Administration continue to discuss the fair's revival. According to their statements, the event is expected to return to Velyki Sorochyntsi when the security situation allows it.

Where Can You Experience the Sorochyntsi Fair Today?

Although the traditional fair is paused, its name and stories continue to live through theater and cultural performances. Shows based on Mykola Gogol's Sorochyntsi Fair are presented in different Ukrainian cities.

• In Kyiv: The Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theater stages the musical show Sorochyntsi Fair. Other performances based on the work can also take place at different venues in the city.

• In Poltava: The Poltava Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater named after M. V. Gogol periodically presents theatrical performances based on Gogol's story.

These performances offer another way to experience the characters, humor, music, and atmosphere associated with the Sorochyntsi Fair while the traditional event remains suspended.

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