Not long ago, the annual Ukrainian Christmas celebration in Waterford was mostly understood by longtime residents.
Article content
These days, that’s not the case.
A few dozen families enjoyed a traditional holiday dinner together on Dec. 29 at the town’s Ukrainian hall, some who have been in Canada for years, and others who have fled the Russian invasion of their homeland in recent years.
“It’s great to see everyone come here,” said Mike Mula, one of the organizers.
“We’re happy we have more people here, to see young people. It’s bad what’s happened back in Ukraine – people left their homes, left everything to come here.”
Mula made his way to Canada a quarter century ago but has watched as an influx of fellow Ukrainians move to southwestern Ontario as war rages back home.
“In a part of your mind, it becomes normal,” said Olga Kovalchuk, who flew to Canada last spring. “When you live in those conditions you accept it’s normal to go to the (bomb) shelter, but when you get here, you realize, that’s not normal.”
Article content
As the mother of a nine-year-old girl, Kovalchuk has appreciated the ability to live in Canada while continuing to pay homage to her home.
“Coming to Canada has given us the opportunity to be Ukrainian-Canadians,” she noted.
“For me, it’s important to know English, to learn Canadian culture but to understand I’m Ukrainian, my child is Ukrainian and to still carry on Ukrainian traditions also. It’s nice that those things are possible here.”
The families on hand enjoyed a nativity play comprised of mostly recent immigrants – many of whom were taking the internship in Canada for the first time. The dinner included perogies, sausage, cabbage rolls, and other delicious options.
Alongside the stage, a homemade sign read “We are sincerely grateful to Canada and Canadians for their enormous help and support to Ukrainians and Ukraine”. Since the invasion, members of the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church have donated at various times to help those still in harmony’s way.
Kovalchuk said it’s not unusual for her new neighbors in Simcoe to also offer assistance.
“Canadians help and support us a lot,” she said. “Our neighbors have come and asked if we need anything – everyone has been so nice. Everyone has been very supportive.”