Members of Ottawa’s Ukrainian community gathered on a cold Sunday evening to close out the Christmas season with a solidarity march that also served as a show of support for family members and friends still facing the hardships of war in Ukraine. The event brought together people of all ages bundled against winter temperatures, demonstrating cultural resilience and collective spirit despite the ongoing conflict abroad.
The march and accompanying observances took place against the backdrop of Ukraine’s extended holiday traditions, where Christmas celebrations span weeks — often beginning on December 24 and continuing through early January due to religious and cultural customs, especially among Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek Catholic communities. These extended festivities hold deep significance for Ukrainians and the diaspora, blending religious observance, family gatherings and communal reflection.
Participants carried traditional elements of Ukrainian holiday observance, including decorated items and wreaths, while also sharing moments of remembrance for those unable to return to Ukraine this winter. Many expressed that the march was not only a festive closing ritual but also a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by people at home and the importance of maintaining culture and unity in the diaspora.
Organizers emphasised that the event was both commemorative and forward-looking — a way to honour longstanding Ukrainian cultural traditions while acknowledging the resilience of the community in Canada as it continues to advocate for peace and support for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict.
A strong smell at a shopping mall in Tokyo triggered a major emergency response with at least 19 pe
Recent missile strikes in Ukraine have escalated regional tensions, prompting urgent calls for inter
A tense exchange between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping during high-level talks has raised questions ab
Indigenous treaty rights and constitutional protections are becoming major obstacles in Alberta’s gr
