By paNOW Staff

Ukrainian Christmas a time to share culture, tradition

Jan 6, 2018 | 7:00 AM

Christmas may be in the past for many, but for Prince Albert’s large Ukrainian population, the festivities are only beginning.

Jan Olesko, president of the Prince Albert & District Ukrainian Culture and Heritage Club, said Ukrainians have been living in Canada for more than 125 years. The club’s 85 members and their families will be celebrating Ukrainian Christmas in Prince Albert, she said, along with hundreds of other families around the province and nation. Ukrainian Christmas is not just for those with Ukrainian heritage, Olesko said, and the club tries to include everyone in their events.

“Our goal is to become more inclusive,” she said. “To share about all the benefits of being Canadian, and also our contributions.”

Ukrainian Christmas falls on Sunday, Jan. 7 this year, because the Ukrainian orthodox tradition still uses the Julian calendar. Although no gifts are exchanged, Olesko said Ukrainian Christmas includes many long-standing traditions.

“We have a meal of 12 dishes, and that signifies the 12 apostles of Christ,” she said.

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The meal is an important part of the holiday, Olesko added. In addition to the classic Ukrainian fare of cabbage rolls, perogies and borscht, she said many Christmas meals will include kutia, a traditional dish made from wheat, poppy seeds and honey.

After dinner, Olesko said children in some households look for the first star to appear in the night sky, recalling the Christian story of the three wise men following a star to Bethlehem. In her own home, Olesko said they scatter hay under the dinner table to recall the story of Jesus’ birth in the manger. Some families even spread the hay on top of the table itself, she said.

Music is also an important part of Ukrainian Christmas, Olesko added, though the celebrating families typically sing Ukrainian songs rather than western Christmas carols. Olesko said the many traditions surrounding Ukrainian Christmas help young people connect with their heritage and learn about their past while having fun.

“You learn a lot of Ukrainian words, and you learn more about your culture,” she said. “I would like to say Christos Razhdajetsja [Christ is born]!”

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