Ukrainians have moved Christmas. They will celebrate this year on December 25 and not January 7.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy shifted the holiday away from the traditional Orthodox date as it is in Russia. The Ukrainian government says the move is to erase Moscow's historic influence in their country.
"I feel like it will change not only the date but the feeling inside us," Sasha Soronevych, a resident in Kyiv, told CGTN Europe.
The festive spirit in the Ukrainian capital burns brightly, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia. Revelers are desperate to maintain some sense of normality as they parade through markets and carolers serenade shoppers.
Most Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians and have followed the traditional Julian calendar used by Russia. The aim of the new law over Christmas is to "abandon the Russian heritage."
Relatives and friends of Ukrainian military prisoners of war, specifically captives from Mariupol, hold a rally in Kyiv./ Roman Pilipey/AFP
One priest in Kyiv, Mykhailo Omelian, feels this is an important move for the country. "Ukrainian people understand this, and don't want to go to a Russian church," he said.
There are many parts of Kyiv, though, that have toned their festivities down. Sophia Square for example, used to be lit up with lights and decorations over the holidays. But now, just one Christmas tree stands.
It stands as a reminder of the conflict. There have been protests in the build-up to Christmas with locals gathering to demand the release of Ukrainian soldiers being held by Russia.
One Kyiv resident, Tamara Protsenko, said her fiancé was captured in Mariupol last year and expressed her emotions during this challenging time.
"It really hurts. Not only our family who are here, but he's also hurting, I believe, because he's in captivity," she said.
This will be the second winter in Ukraine since Russia launched what it called its 'special military operation' in February 2022. Whether Christmas is celebrated this month or in January, for many, it will be another holiday spent apart from their loved ones.
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