'Everything will be different, and I feel pain in my heart. 'But I will try to have a good Christmas despite everything' 💬 Ukrainians on their first festive season in the UK
“The majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox, which means that they celebrate Christmas on 7 January, but many also celebrate with the rest of the world on the 25“This year, many are planning to spend 25 December celebrating with their host families, looking forward to sharing British Christmas traditions with their host families, whilst also introducing Ukrainian traditions”.
Tetiana Shkurenko, 48, is one of those missing her family members over the holiday: her 24-year-old son is still living in Kyiv and not allowed to leave. “He is my only son, and of course I worry about him,” she says. “He told me I must go, that he would always be there if I needed his help”. This year, Shkurenko is spending her Christmas in Doncaster. She is planning to decorate her host family’s house and go skiing with some British friends she has met since living here.
Since arriving in August, Shkurenko has only kind words to describe the people she has met, especially her host. “The first month I was here, I was with her every day,” she says. Of course for many Ukranians, even with plans, December – that is traditionally a time of joy and excitement – is likely to be muted., but it won’t be the same, and we will miss our family and community in Ukraine.”Back in Kyiv, Tetiana Volkohon, 37, would have been celebrating the holiday season from the middle of November onwards until the middle of January. “It was a very busy period,” Volkohon told i. “I’m missing it. The Russians have taken my two months of happiness.
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