Article content material
A usually joyous time of 12 months for thousands and thousands of Ukrainians at dwelling and overseas can be completely different and bittersweet this 12 months, particularly for these with relations nonetheless within the war-torn nation or struggling to regulate to life as refugees.
Article content material
In Calgary, 1000’s of Ukrainians pressured to flee their nation will unite for Ukrainian Christmas celebrations on Friday and Saturday, honoring the vacation in conventional methods in an effort to embrace their tradition and be members of their neighborhood.
Article content material
Christine Moussienko is Ukrainian-Canadian and Chair of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Calgary. Her sister-in-law, Svetlana, fled Ukraine within the spring and whereas she is adjusting properly to life in Canada, she desperately desires to return dwelling.
“It is onerous for them to be away from dwelling throughout Christmas time, and for our Ukrainian neighborhood typically it has been overwhelming,” Moussienko stated.
“It is a fantastic event of Christmas, however on the similar time it is onerous to know what is going on on there and that there are such a lot of who’re struggling. Generally you are feeling responsible that you’re celebrating collectively right here and folks there are going by such a troublesome time.”
Article content material
Boychuk’s circle of relatives members in Ukraine plan to come back to Canada within the subsequent few weeks, however within the meantime they’re attempting to communicate as a lot as attainable, relying on electrical energy and Web entry.
Greater than 18,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Alberta because the begin of the battle on the finish of February 2022, with 44 % coming to Calgary and 31 % to Edmonton.
Boychuk stated that simply earlier than Christmas there have been about 650 Ukrainian folks coming each week.
“It is a very giant group of individuals coming – lots of people who’re very displaced who want a number of help,” she stated. “It is a difficult time. It is Christmas, they have been displaced from their household and their dwelling, and the neighborhood is doing every thing they’ll to assist help the transition and provides them alternatives to come back collectively.”
As a staple of the Ukrainian Christmas custom, many households depart a dish on the desk for family and buddies who’ve died. Given the loss Ukrainians are at present dealing with, that is certain to be an emotional time for a lot of, Boychuk stated.
“But it surely’s additionally a superb time,” she stated. “It is essential to have this time the place folks can come collectively, really feel snug and have a good time as a part of a neighborhood.”
ocondon@postmedia.com
