Ukrainian refugees celebrating the festive season have thanked Scotland for welcoming them from their war-torn homeland.
The Russian invasion has changed the lives of countless families who have been forced to flee. This time of year will be particularly emotional for more than 7000 people who escaped to Scotland.
Ukrainians will get to celebrate two Christmases – tomorrow, December 25, and the Orthodox version on January 7, according to the Julian calendar, which runs behind the astronomical neo-Julian and Gregorian calendars by 13 days. Refugee families adapting to life in their new surroundings are looking forward to trying a traditional Scottish meal tomorrow.
Among them are Iryna Boryskova, 38, and her nine-year-old son Kyrylo, who settled in Dumfries after fleeing the war from their hometown Odesa. Normally they would begin celebrating on January 6 – Christmas Eve – with a family dinner consisting of 12 fasting dishes that symbolize the 12 apostles.
The main dish is kutia, a mix of boiled grains, honey, nuts, poppy seeds, dried fruits and other toppings.
Iryna said: “It very unusual to celebrate Christmas in another country. I just wish we were here under different circumstances but we are feeling happy and grateful that we are able to be here. Christmas is the time when the whole family gathers together.
"All my life I used to visit my grandmother for the traditional kutia. This Scottish Christmas we are going to spend with my childhood friends who live in Dumfries and we are going to spend Ukrainian Christmas with my cousin Larisa and her daughter Dasha, who also fled from Odesa earlier this year.
“I hope I will be able to recreate my grandma’s kutia for our celebrations.”
She added: “We have bought a Christmas tree and decorated it with my son. It took us two days to decorate it.
"It always does, even when we lived back in Ukraine. We just love the process.
"Kyrylo also decorated the flat with garlands which he made himself and wrote a letter to Santa Claus and Ukrainian Santa, Ded Moroz, in hope that he can get two presents. This year, we have also learned about the secret Santa, enjoyed illuminations in town centre and beautiful wreaths on the doors. Now I want to try and make my own.”
Iryna’s cousin Larisa Laitan, 35, added: “It is hard to celebrate anywhere this year, not just in Scotland. It is devastating that so many people are suffering back home and it is all we can think about.
“I am trying to stay positive for Dasha, who is excited about the presents and celebrations. She loves all the preparations at school. She already helped to decorate everything at her class and was preparing for the Christmas concert.”
Couple Svitlana Doroshkevych, 65, and Vasyl Sin, 70, fled their home city Odesa after the invasion to stay with their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Svitlana said: “We are lucky to stay with our family but we are still missing all of our friends and extended members of the family, especially during the festive season. One of the things we have noticed is that people exchanging presents on Christmas here, for us it is on New Year’s Day.
“The order of things is a bit different and so are the food and traditions but we are happy to discover new things. We are looking forward to trying traditional food here and seeing how it is celebrated in Scotland.”
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