Christmas and New Years celebration have begun in the Australian capital of Canberra with a performance of a Ukrainian Vertep by the Ukrainian Youth Association of Sydney.
“Today we have an opportunity to show Australians our unique Ukrainian Christmas traditions,” said Justin Senko, holova of the Sydney branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM).
Arriving in Canberra, on the 2nd of December, members of CYM Sydney performed in front of the Canberra Ukrainian community and ambassadors from different countries a Ukrainian vertep.
Among the guests were representatives from Australian government and diplomatic corps accredited in Australia, who had the opportunity to hear Ukrainian carol, witness traditional Ukrainian embroider costumes and be acquainted with the traditions of the Ukrainian Christmas table.
Foreign guests were impressed by the large scale production and interesting stage dialogues, especially translated into the English language, as well as the sincerity and dedication of actors from the Ukrainian Youth Association.
“It’s unbelievably amazing that although the Ukrainian community is so far away from the Motherland, they keep their national traditions,” said Tammy Wright of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Sunday 3rd December, CYM Sydney had partaken in the Holy Liturgy at St Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and had their apel where two members were sworn in and become Druzhynnyk.
Thank you to all the actors, backstage crew with costuming, stage design, lights and audio. A special thank you to Peter Kobryn Snr and Holova CYM Sydney Justin Senko and his uprava for an extraordinary event and celebration.
