The Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England (UCCN) brought together local Ukrainians and Americans supporting Ukraine for a Christmas Festival at the Lexington Historical Society last Sunday. The primary objective was to share the Christmas spirit and acquaint attendees with an important tradition in Ukrainian culture – Christmas, with a unique performance, Vertep.
This marked the inaugural Ukrainian Christmas Market for New England, attracting over 1000 people, including more than 150 children, who visited St. Nick’s residence and received sweet gifts. The Christmas Festival featured 20 local vendors and charity foundations showcasing wares that represented Ukrainian traditional symbols of Christmas.
While Ukrainian soldiers bravely defend Ukraine’s independence on the frontline, Ukrainians worldwide are increasingly determined to preserve and revitalize Ukrainian art forms that Russia attempts to destroy on occupied lands. The Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England is actively involved in this mission. The belief behind the Christmas Festival is to channel people’s efforts into actively preserving Ukrainian culture and traditions and to support local charity foundations and non-profit organizations.
“The war did not go away,” stated Ivanka Roberts, one of the organizers of the Ukrainian Christmas Market. “War is there, war is active. Ukraine needs help from the whole world,” she emphasized. “Ukraine is not just fighting for its own territory. It’s also fighting for the values of democracy, liberty, and the importance of an individual’s life. Christmas means so much to us. We’re all looking for a little Christmas miracle and want to share it with people around.”
“Ukraine is not just fighting for its own territory. It’s also fighting for the values of democracy, liberty, and the importance of an individual’s life. Christmas means so much to us. We’re all looking for a little Christmas miracle and want to share it with people around.“
After the Christmas Market, all visitors had the chance to enjoy a unique Ukrainian traditional Vertep and the first-ever Christmas stars parade in the New England Ukrainian community’s history.
Vertep is a drama play performance about Christmas Eve and the birth of Jesus. It is one of the most significant Ukrainian Christmas traditions. This year, more than 25 people participated in the Vertep performance, making it one of the mass performances organized by UCCN in New England. The festival organizers are particularly proud to have introduced one more unique Ukrainian tradition this year – the parade of the Christmas stars, which involved over 20 families. In this parade, participants, wearing traditional folk costumes, carried sticks holding multi-colored stars, some depicting religious scenes.
While the first Ukrainian Christmas Market organized by the Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England was a resounding success, it won’t be the last. Lana Tsar, one of the organizers, expressed gratitude to all participants, stating, “We really appreciate all the people who joined us on this day. We didn’t expect that our market would be so popular and busy today. It means a lot to us. We plan to transform the Ukrainian Christmas Market into an annual event. As soon as we close the doors of the Ukrainian Christmas Market 2023, we are going to plan our next festival in 2024.”
“We really appreciate all the people who joined us on this day. We didn’t expect that our market would be so popular and busy today. It means a lot to us. We plan to transform the Ukrainian Christmas Market into an annual event. As soon as we close the doors of the Ukrainian Christmas Market 2023, we are going to plan our next festival in 2024.“
The Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England (UCCN) – is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Ukrainian culture, heritage, and community in the vibrant New England region. With a passion for Ukraine’s rich traditions and a commitment to fostering connections, UCCN serves as a cultural hub and a bridge between Ukrainian-Americans, Ukrainians, and the broader community.