Representatives of Poland and Ukraine jointly performed 8 Ukrainian and 8 Polish carols.
Today, January 20, the cultural event “Ukrainian-Polish Christmas Carol 2023” took place at the Higher Theological Seminary of the Lviv Archdiocese.
Almost 100 participants from the Ukrainian and Polish sides gathered to honor the traditions of the two peoples, discuss common and different aspects of cultural heritage and share creative heritage. In particular, they sang together 8 Polish carols and 8 Ukrainian carols, which the audience was helped to perform by the Academic Choir Chapel “Dudaryk” and Schola katedralna.
“The task of our peoples is to do everything so that future generations remember and preserve traditions. This Christmas is especially difficult for Ukraine, this year brought grief to the homes of many Ukrainians, but we hold on and continue to share home comfort and warmth. While boys and girls are fighting at the front for our life, language, culture, and customs, we support them with joint efforts every day, every minute.
I thank the constant friend of Ukraine – Poland, for the help she has been providing us since the first days of the full-scale war. Without you, it would be much more difficult to hold each front. After all, the whole world saw with what sincere gratitude the President of the Republic of Poland Mr. Andrzej Duda was recently welcomed in Lviv. Today’s caroling together is the same sign of solidarity and support, consolation and good hope. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Poland!” – noted the head of the Lviv OVA Maksym Kozytskyi.
The event was attended by representatives of the Polish community, heads of LOVA departments, employees of the General Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Lviv, honorary consuls, chief doctors of hospitals, and the representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lviv.
Mrs. Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Lviv Eliza Dzvonkiewicz emphasized that she hopes to preserve such a tradition in the future.
“This is the first joint celebration of Poland and Ukraine and, I hope, it will become a tradition. I want to dedicate every carol to those who are currently fighting for the independence of Ukraine – in the trenches, on the front line, without the opportunity to celebrate with us. They are fighting so that we can live in a safe and free world. They will not hear this singing, but their hearts are beating for us,” she stressed.
During the festive event, the Lviv performer Nazar Savko and the ensemble from Novoyavorivsk also sang “Amber springs” for those present.
During the holiday, the following carols will be sung: “Holy night, quiet night”, “Barefoot shepherd”, “Good evening to you, master”, “God is born”, “Heaven and earth”, “New joy has become”, “Przybieżeli do Betlejem”, “Nie bylo miejsca”, “Gore gwiazda Jezusowi”, “Wśród nocnej ciszy”, “Bosy pastuszek”.
Yaryna Pukalo