Ukrainians revive christmas traditions in war

Around a thousand Ukrainians in traditional dress paraded through central Kyiv carrying brightly decorated Christmas stars and singing carols, reviving a custom suppressed during Soviet times and honoring the fallen by attaching names of deceased soldiers to some stars. The public procession, part of nationwide Christmas observances, underscored a shift toward Western-style December 25 celebrations that officials and cultural figures link to a broader assertion of Ukrainian identity.

Across cities and villages, groups of singers performed koliadky door to door, offering comfort amid air-raid sirens, power cuts and other wartime disruptions. Churches held services under heightened security; worshippers lit candles and prayed for peace, for fallen soldiers and for displaced families. Some attendees remained in winter coats inside unheated buildings, a visible sign of damage to energy infrastructure. Clergy urged resilience and unity, asking congregations to keep faith despite hardship.

Many family celebrations were quieter and simpler than in past years, scaled back by economic strain or marked by empty chairs for relatives serving at the front or displaced abroad. In towns nearer active fighting, small gatherings were especially meaningful, providing brief reprieves from fear and uncertainty. Volunteers used the holiday to deliver food, gifts and aid to elderly people, displaced families and troops, reinforcing community bonds. Children sang in shelters and courtyards, their voices rising amid blackout precautions.

The holiday’s symbols — embroidered clothing, flags carried alongside stars and lanterns — blended religious custom with national symbolism, seen by many as an act of cultural reaffirmation during wartime. Despite pervasive hardship, the prevailing sentiment was one of cautious hope: Ukrainians expressed wishes for an end to the conflict and for the chance to celebrate future holidays in peace. Throughout the country, familiar carols served as reminders of endurance and solidarity, showing that traditions and communal faith persist even as the war continues to shape daily life.