Thousands of people who have fled the war in Ukraine are preparing to spend their first Christmas in Calgary, and there may be some noticeable differences depending on what traditions they’re celebrating.
27-year-old Kateryna Zarvii arrived in Calgary about six months ago after making the difficult decision to move to Canada and leave her family in Ukraine.
“Christmas is usually a quiet time with your family and you don’t exchange presents,” she said. “Living in central or eastern Ukraine, the most important celebration would be the New Year.”
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Zarvii, who taught English in Ukraine, started working at a church when she arrived in Calgary. In a short time, she found a job at the Center for Newcomers (CFN) which helps provide support to immigrants and refugees of all nationalities.
“I love the tradition of Christmas,” Zarvii laughed. “Yesterday I came (to work) in my sports clothes and everyone was dressed up, and I couldn’t understand why until someone said to me ‘All December is Christmas here’.”
In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on either December 25 or, for Orthodox Christians, January 7. Zarvii said that some want to cut ties with Russia this year and celebrate in December.
“For as long as I can remember, we celebrated Christmas on the seventh of January,” Zarvii explained. “Inspired by parting with anything Russian…they ended up changing it to the 25th of December this year.”
Ukrainian refugee Maryna Stetsiuk, 25, who arrived in Calgary in June, said in previous years her family would celebrate Orthodox Christmas or both dates. But last year she didn’t mark the holiday until December.
“I’m glad my mother is here with me so we can keep those traditions here with us, even if it’s just the two of us,” Stetsiuk said. “I think the two of us will have a family dinner, maybe invite some friends over and thank God we’re here.
“There is nothing more important than your family and your life. Everything you have physically can be taken away just like that.”
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David Hohol with CFN said so far they have helped about 2,000 Ukrainians and their families since the war began, and housing remains a top priority.
“Housing is very important — you need a roof over your head,” Hohol said. “Housing can be host families, it can be people donating a hotel suite or room.”
The organization is also preparing for more newcomers from Ukraine to arrive in our city as winter continues to deepen.
“The attack on the infrastructure in Ukraine has seen an increase, as people flee not only war, but the freezing cold,” he explained. “There are no lights, there is no heat, there is currently no power for many people.”
Hohol added that while much is focused on the war in Ukraine, the organization is also seeing an increase in refugees coming from Afghanistan.
“It takes Calgary as a community and all its facets to make these incredible transitions of these resilient people possible.”
This year, CFN welcomes the return of its Holiday Season Potluck on Thursday, where people can enjoy food from different parts of the world and support the organization.
The events run from 6pm to 8pm at 125, 565 – 36 Street NE in Calgary.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
