Christmas with Ukraine House in Denmark

"Christmas is not only a time of celebration, but also a moment of national reawakening. Traditions passed down through generations become an unbreakable link with our ancestors, who always celebrated the birth of Christ despite the circumstances. Today, our soldiers, the parents of Ukrainian children who have spent their third winter apart, are fighting to preserve our identity and traditions, because they are our strength in the struggle for the future. This year our carols resonate differently, echoing the hardships of the Second World War and Soviet oppression, when Ukrainians were persecuted. As we remember Christmas in the 1960s, we understand how many lives were destroyed for the sake of the Ukrainian language and traditions. But Ukrainians have risen again - despite the Holodomor, wars and persecution. We rediscover our traditions, learn how Christmas was celebrated by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, reinterpret old carols and create new arrangements such as 'Shchedryk'. Sharing festive recipes and analysing Ukrainian literature and art as forms of resistance to totalitarianism, we draw strength from our history. By studying the stories of Ukrainians who sacrificed their lives, we realise that we celebrate because of their sacrifices. Our memories and customs give us the strength to continue the struggle and to remain open to the world. Christmas is a time of gratitude for the opportunity, albeit with sorrow, to celebrate and nurture the hope that light will soon overcome darkness and life will triumph over death," says Nataliia Popovych, Chairperson of Ukraine House in Denmark.

Discover Malanka, Ukraine’s ancient New Year’s Eve celebration, at the Malanka: The Dance of Death and Life Exhibition, based on Dmytro Sykholytkyy-Sobchuk’s acclaimed film Pamfir. The exhibit, featuring intricate costumes, masks, and cinematic artifacts, offers a vibrant journey into this iconic tradition and will run until January 26, 2025.

The heart of our Christmas celebrations will be the musical project Pyrih i Batih, which reveals the beauty of old Ukrainian carols in a new way. Their performances at Ukraine House and St. Peter's Church highlight the evolution of the Ukrainian language and culture, offering a soul-stirring journey through caroling traditions.

Celebrate with a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dinner, crafted by Malmö's Babusia restaurant. This culinary experience blends cherished recipes with modern twists, accompanied by traditional carols.

Families can enjoy the School of Ukrainian Christmas Decorations, where participants create symbolic ornaments like Didukh and straw spiders with guidance from Ukrainian artists. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Café Pop-Up offers festive snacks paired with mulled wine for a cozy afternoon. Part of the funds will be directed to support the Children of Heroes Foundation.

Film screenings include Shchedryk Against Russkiy Mir, exploring Ukrainian cultural diplomacy, and Shchedryk, a historical drama about resilience during World War II. The program concludes with Pamfir, a Cannes-premiered story of family and love.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with Ukraine House—where tradition meets community, and every moment is a story waiting to be shared.

The events are organised by Ukraine House in Denmark with the generous support of Embassy of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark, Carlsberg, Ukrainian Institute, Politiken Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Kulturministeriet.

For media inquiries, please write to info@ukrainehouse.dk