Ukrainian newcomers prepare for first Christmas in Calgary | 24CA News
Thousands of people that fled the warfare in Ukraine are making ready to spend their first Christmas in Calgary, and there might be some marked variations relying on what traditions they have fun.
27-year-old Kateryna Zarvii arrived in Calgary about six months in the past after making the arduous determination to maneuver to Canada and go away her household in Ukraine.
“Christmas is usually a quiet time with your family and you don’t exchange presents,” she mentioned. “Living in central or eastern Ukraine, the main celebration would be the New Year.”
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Zarvii, who taught English in Ukraine, began volunteering at a church when she arrived in Calgary. In a brief period of time, she discovered a job on the Centre for Newcomers (CFN) which helps to offer help for immigrants and refugees of all nationalities.
“I love the tradition of Christmas,” Zarvii laughed. “Yesterday, I came (to work) in my sportswear and everyone was dressed up, and I couldn’t understand why until somebody told me ‘All of December is Christmas here.’”
In Ukraine, Christmas is well known on both Dec. 25 or, for Orthodox Christians, Jan. 7. Zarvii mentioned this 12 months some wish to additional break ties with Russia and have fun it in December.
“As long as I can remember, we used to celebrate Christmas on the seventh of January,” Zarvii defined. “Inspired by separating from anything Russian… they finally changed it to the 25th of December this year.”
Ukrainian refugee Maryna Stetsiuk, 25, who arrived in Calgary in June mentioned in earlier years her household would have fun Orthodox Christmas or each dates. But final 12 months she solely marked the vacation in December.
“I’m glad my mom is here with me so we can keep those traditions here with us, even if it just the two of us,” Stetsiuk mentioned. “I think the two of us will have family dinner, and maybe invite some friends over and give thanks to God for us being here.
“There is nothing more important than your family and your life. Everything you have physically can be taken away just like that.”
David Hohol with CFN mentioned to date they’ve helped about 2,000 Ukrainians and their households for the reason that warfare began, and housing stays a prime precedence.
“Housing is very important — you need a roof over your head,” Hohol mentioned. “Housing can be host families, it can be people donating a hotel suite or room.”
The group can be making ready for extra newcomers from Ukraine to reach in our metropolis as winter continues to deepen.
“The attack on the infrastructure in Ukraine has seen an uptick, as people are not just fleeing war but the freezing cold,” he defined. “There’s no lights, there’s no heat, there’s no power for many people right now.”
Hohol added that whereas many have been targeted on the warfare in Ukraine, the group can be seeing a rise in refugees coming from Afghanistan.
“It takes Calgary as a community and all it’s facets to make these incredible transitions from these resilient people possible.”
This 12 months, CFN is welcoming the return of its Holiday Season Potluck on Thursday, the place individuals can get pleasure from meals from totally different elements of the world and help the group.
The occasions runs from 6 p.m. to eight p.m. at 125, 565 – 36 Street N.E. in Calgary.
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