Kyiv Lights Up Christmas Tree as They are Set to Celebrate On the Holiday’s ‘New’ Date in Ukraine

Veuer

While Vladimir Putin’s war is quickly approaching its third year, in Ukraine’s capital residents are still putting on smiles and trying to get into the spirit of christmas. This video was recently captured in Kyiv to mark an annual Orthodox tradition of St. Nicholas day, but on a new date. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.

Transcript

00:00 While Vladimir Putin's war is quickly approaching its third year, in Ukraine's capital, residents

00:05 are still putting on smiles and trying to get into the spirit of Christmas.

00:09 This video was recently captured in Kiev, marking an annual Orthodox tradition of St.

00:14 Nicholas Day.

00:15 Dozens gathered to watch the tree lighting, a small ray of hope for a country that is

00:18 ever vigilant during ongoing conflict, with one of the residents who was there saying

00:22 she has conflicted sentiments and that Ukrainians are there "maybe not to celebrate, but to

00:27 feel the Christmas spirit despite everything, and we can still mark it in our country."

00:32 Ukraine's primary Orthodox church has historically celebrated Christmas on January 7th, alongside

00:37 other Eastern European countries, including Russia.

00:40 However, in a bid to distance themselves culturally from their invaders, they have changed that

00:44 date and will now celebrate on December 25th.

00:48 In fact, several revelers remarked on that very change, saying they shouldn't have anything

00:52 in common with the country that is currently invading their lands.

00:55 Still the tree, and the new tradition, seem to be a bright spot of hope amidst constant

00:59 war, with others saying that the tree is a beacon, exactly the one they need in these

01:04 times.

01:05 (upbeat music)

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