A picture of a white angel drawn by a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl living in Edinburgh will become Scotland Secretary Ian Murray’s official Christmas card.
Amelia Marchenko, originally from the Donetsk region of Ukraine, now lives in Edinburgh with her parents, two sisters and one brother. The family had to flee the war in Ukraine in 2014 and again in August 2022.
Amelia drew Santa’s hat and sleigh, which will also be used for Scottish Minister Kirsty McNeill’s official Christmas card.
The Edinburgh Center of the United Ukrainians in Great Britain (UUB) held a competition among children and youth attending events at the Ukrainian Community Center. Mr Murray met many of the young people attending the center when he visited earlier this year.
Amelia was among dozens of young Ukrainian artists who submitted works to the competition. Her winning design features a golden-haired cherub against a backdrop of traditional Ukrainian and Scottish symbols, bringing both cultures together in a festive celebration.
Mr Murray said:
Having visited the teen club at the Ukrainian Community Center in Edinburgh in August, I was inspired by their creativity, resilience and spirit. Amelia’s beautiful design represents not only the joy of the season, but also the warmth of Scotland that has welcomed those Ukrainians who have made our country their home. I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a bright New Year.
This is the first time the Scotland Office has held a Christmas card design competition. Children were encouraged to submit works of art in any way that captured the essence of Christmas and the spirit of peace and goodwill.
Children aged 5-16 years attending the Ukrainian Community Center took part in the competition. Participants were encouraged to incorporate elements of their Ukrainian heritage and their new Scottish home into their festive design. The jury, which included Murray and representatives from AUGB Edinburgh, were particularly surprised by the way the young artists combined both cultures in their work.
Electronic versions of the winning map will be sent by Mr Murray to organizations and stakeholders across Scotland. Amelia received a letter of congratulations and a certificate from the Secretary of State and her original piece of art will be framed and displayed at the Scotland Office.
The Edinburgh branch of the OUB was founded in 1947 and provided a social and cultural meeting place for the Ukrainian diaspora. The Ukrainian Club in Edinburgh supports over 500 people every week.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.