Happy Ukrainian Christmas! | Щасливого українського Різдва

St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church,
Regina, Canada

Ukrainian Christmas was on Tuesday, January 7. Although it is something that I've been aware of all of my life, it is not something that I or my family personally celebrated until recently. I have partial Ukrainian ancestry but my family has always gotten together for Christmas during the traditional time of December 24 and 25 per the Gregorian calendar.  Ukrainian Christmas though is several weeks later as dictated by the Julian calendar. My Grandmother was involved in Ukrainian Christmas activities until she passed away in 1994.  Up until about five years ago, I really didn't pay much attention to this event at all.

What happened five years ago is that my eldest daughter started learning Ukrainian dance with the Zabutnyy Dance Company. Ironically, her involvement (and subsequently my younger daughter as well) in Ukrainian dancing came about because there were a number of Japanese girls and boys involved in Ukrainian dance at Zabutnyy. So, if it hadn't been for my Japanese friends and my wife, I would not have been involved in taking my kids to dance practice or in Ukrainian Christmas celebrations.

For the past five years, we have attended every Ukrainian Christmas celebration and dance show put on by Zabutnyy at the Regina Performing Arts Centre. Last night they put on another great show.

https://www.facebook.com/Zabutnyy/videos/536319950572975/

Being involved in the Ukrainian community in this small way has given me lots to think about. I have never been too involved with the Ukrainian part of my identity, but as my kids learn more about dance and I see more of the culture, it is a reminder of (partially) where I come from. Something that I haven't really thought about much since my Grandmother passed away all those years ago.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

З Різдвом та новим роком!

メリークリスマス、そしてハッピーニューイヤー!