Ukrainian refugees celebrating the festive season have thanked Scotland for welcoming them from their war-torn homeland.
The Russian invasion has modified the lives of numerous households who've been compelled to flee. This time of 12 months will probably be significantly emotional for greater than 7000 individuals who escaped to Scotland.
Ukrainians will get to rejoice two Christmases – tomorrow, December 25, and the Orthodox model on January 7, in keeping with the Julian calendar, which runs behind the astronomical neo-Julian and Gregorian calendars by 13 days. Refugee households adapting to life of their new environment are wanting ahead to attempting a conventional Scottish meal tomorrow.
Amongst them are Iryna Boryskova, 38, and her nine-year-old son Kyrylo, who settled in Dumfries after fleeing the battle from their hometown Odesa. Usually they'd start celebrating on January 6 – Christmas Eve – with a household dinner consisting of 12 fasting dishes that symbolize the 12 apostles.
The principle dish is kutia, a mixture of boiled grains, honey, nuts, poppy seeds, dried fruits and different toppings.
Iryna mentioned: “It very uncommon to rejoice Christmas abroad. I simply want we have been right here underneath totally different circumstances however we're feeling pleased and grateful that we're capable of be right here. Christmas is the time when the entire household gathers collectively.
"All my life I used to go to my grandmother for the normal kutia. This Scottish Christmas we're going to spend with my childhood pals who reside in Dumfries and we're going to spend Ukrainian Christmas with my cousin Larisa and her daughter Dasha, who additionally fled from Odesa earlier this 12 months.
“I hope I can recreate my grandma’s kutia for our celebrations.”
She added: “We've purchased a Christmas tree and adorned it with my son. It took us two days to embellish it.
"It all the time does, even once we lived again in Ukraine. We simply love the method.
"Kyrylo additionally adorned 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 12 months, we've additionally discovered concerning the secret Santa, loved illuminations on the town centre and exquisite wreaths on the doorways. Now I wish to try to make my very own.”
Iryna’s cousin Larisa Laitan, 35, added: “It's onerous to rejoice wherever this 12 months, not simply in Scotland. It's devastating that so many individuals are struggling again house and it's all we are able to take into consideration.
“I'm attempting to remain optimistic for Dasha, who is happy concerning the presents and celebrations. She loves all of the preparations in school. She already helped to embellish every thing at her class and was making ready for the Christmas live performance.”
Couple Svitlana Doroshkevych, 65, and Vasyl Sin, 70, fled their house metropolis Odesa after the invasion to stick with their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Svitlana mentioned: “We're fortunate to stick with our household however we're nonetheless lacking all of our pals and prolonged family members, particularly in the course of the festive season. One of many issues we've observed is that folks exchanging presents on Christmas right here, for us it's on New Yr’s Day.
“The order of issues is a bit totally different and so are the meals and traditions however we're pleased to find new issues. We're wanting ahead to attempting conventional meals right here and seeing how it's celebrated in Scotland.”
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