Every year Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry face the same dilemma. One Christmas, two Christmases? The Canadian calendar places the feast day on December 25th, but the church calendar of ancestral tradition places Rizdvo - the Nativity of Christ, on January 7th. And each year we say we're going to cut back, simplify, to have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season. But every year we fall under the spell of commercialism, the advertisement, the need to indulge, even though the heart yearns for something sacred, for something more peaceful and true. Something of depth, of wisdom, and of ancestral significance, in the language of familial homeland somehow just fills the spirit in deep places you didn't even know you had, until it is filled. That is the koliada of the ancient Ukrainian tradition.
This Nativity season, try to cut through the hype, leave behind the things that exhaust you, and make you broke. Instead, try to experience the joy of common truths, of community, of togetherness and understanding. Cultivate a different kind of Christmas - and this year join the Ukrainian community of Calgary in its Ukrainian Annual Festival of Carols, the celebration of Ukrainian Christmas Carols!
You will hear the charming voices of Korinnya Ukrainian Choir, of Ukrainian school children, of perhaps a bandura player or two. And your heart will melt in a feeling of peace, togetherness and understanding.
And for samples from last year's Ukrainian Festival of Carols 2012, check these links.
Iryna Kalinovich performs bandura Спи, Ісусе- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jonIBJFbds
Calgary Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Choir performs Bethlehem Rejoice (in Ukrainian) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBvArPHZJZg
Calgary's St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir performs Proclaiming Joy (in Ukrainian) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqpTCMhUYgY
Don't you just wonder what beautiful Ukrainian Christmas sounds you will hear this year?
