Christmas in Ukraine and the ghosts of conflicts past

In Ukrainian, the name for Christmas is Ridztvo (Різдво), meaning ‘Nativity’. The Russian equivalent, used by one in three citizens in Ukraine, is Rozhdyestvo (Рождество). It is a season for hope and rebirth. Since, in the Slavic languages, all wishes or implied wishes are followed by the genitive case, the term for ‘Happy Christmas’ in Ukrainian comes out, none-too-simply, as Shchaslivovo Ridztva  

In western Ukraine – which until 1939 was part of Poland – Christmas was always celebrated twice: on 25 December by Catholics following the Gregorian calendar and on 7 January by the Orthodox and the Julian Calendar. In 2017, by agreement with the Patriarchs, the government in Kyiv officially adopted this dual custom. Nowadays, all Ukrainians have two Christmases to choose from.  

Before 1991, the Communist authorities repeatedly tried to suppress Christmas. St Nicholas the gift-giver was demoted and replaced by the secular Ded Moroz or ‘Grandpa Frost’, who alone was admitted to schools.