2024 marks only the second year since 1917 that Ukrainians have celebrated Christmas on 25th December instead of 7th January, the date recognised by the Orthodox Church. It is a huge adjustment for many but nevertheless, the pre-Christmas period was incredibly busy and joyful for our Ukrainian community in Sutton. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone had the chance to participate in various events. Thank you to Sutton Council for their continuing funding support for our Ukraine Support project.
Nataliya Semchyshyn, our Ukraine Support Coordinator, shares her experiences of the festive season in Sutton:
"We began our celebrations by participating in the Cheam Village Christmas Fayre. Alongside other organisations and communities, we proudly represented our Ukrainian heritage, sharing our traditions and singing Christmas carols in Ukrainian. It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce our culture to the wider community and spread festive cheer.
The next and most significant event was organised by the Ukrainian school, featuring a performance called "Journey to Bethlehem." Children performed a nativity play according to Ukrainian traditions, and a special guest, Saint Nicholas, prepared over 120 gifts for all the Ukrainian children. The preparation for the event was extensive, and it went brilliantly. More than 200 people attended the event, which included a festive table supported by the parents of our students, leaving everyone extremely satisfied.
That same evening, we were invited by the local organisation Creative Heritage to join a wonderful Christmas event. We participated alongside Bulgarian, Indian and other communities in an international celebration that brought children from different backgrounds together. It was a heartwarming experience that showcased the diverse cultural tapestry of our community.
We were also delighted to accept the invitation to the Community Carols event, traditionally held at Welsh Chapel in Sutton and organised by Sutton New Town Community Festival. This event was open to everyone in the community, but our representatives were from our adult choir. We sang alongside the African Caribbean Caribbean community, the Welsh community, and others. It was very educational for our community, and everyone enjoyed themselves that evening.
The last Saturday of 2024 at our Ukrainian school was equally special. After lessons, we invited a Ukrainian entertainer who had come to support and entertain our children. She held contests and games, with costumed characters adding to the festive atmosphere. To finish the event, our volunteer Issy led musical movements that energised everyone, making it a celebration just for our diligent students. For adults, we prepared interesting and creative workshops, including making Christmas tree decorations from threads (angels) and Christmas candle holders from natural materials. Our session leaders dedicated a lot of their time to creating these amazing workshops, and their efforts were greatly appreciated.
There have also been events that brought our community together at the Salvation Army Sutton. We prayed in both Ukrainian and English, read passages from the Bible about Christmas, and deeply reflected together on the meaning and significance of the holiday. We shared our traditions, learned from others, and created wonderful memories."
"Thank you to everyone who participated and supported these events!"
