In Kyiv this year, the authorities decided to install a symbolic tree of invincibility.
The mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, wrote on November 30 in his social networks that the country’s main Christmas tree would be artificial, 12 meters high. It will be decorated with energy-saving garlands that will glow from the generator.
Not far from the generator, we plan to install points for recharging phones and other gadgets. After the holidays, the business that provides the generator and ensures its operation promises to transfer this generator to the military,” Klitschko announced.
The tree will stand, as usual, on Sophia Square. The city will not spend money, business and patrons will provide the New Year’s beauty and decorations.
The Christmas tree will be decorated with 1,000 toys, these will be blue and yellow balls. There will be 500 white doves on it. The top of the Christmas tree will be decorated with the coat of arms of Ukraine.
The lower part of the Christmas tree will be decorated with stands with flags of countries that help Kyiv cope with the challenges and consequences of the war.
Klitschko assured that there would be no mass entertainment events, food courts, fairs, attractions on Sophia Square.
Background
In dozens of other cities in Ukraine, the discussion continues – to celebrate and enjoy life, or to cancel the fun and sit in the dark.
Another problem is the shortage of electricity, which, after a series of rocket attacks by Russia on Ukrainian energy facilities, is not enough in the country. In most cities, they decided to still install the main Christmas trees, but they will be as “energy-responsible” as possible, and there will be no traditional fairs, entertainment and concerts near them.
In Lutsk, they decided to decorate Christmas trees in the city center with home-made toys made of reflective material. Save money from the budget and the fact that the authorities have not been buying a New Year tree for many years, but are decorating three Christmas trees that grow on the central square of the city.
Some people are convinced that the roads should not steal Christmas and New Year from Ukrainians or at least from their children. Because the front fights and dies, including for small human joys in the rear.
The Christmas tree is not worth space money, which can be used to buy a tank or an airplane. But it shows that we are indifferent to Russian missiles, their Wagnerites, Kadyrovites and convicts, the cries of propaganda. Despite all this, we live, enjoy life and celebrate it,” says volunteer Vitaly Deinega.
Mayor Polishchuk says he will have a hard time explaining the Christmas tree with lights on in the city center to those who only have lights on for a few hours a day. At the same time, the price of lighting a Christmas tree and garlands is low – a little more than 15 euros per day.
In the blackout mode, Ukrainians will have to live at least until the end of March.
Garlands and light decorations in Ukraine cannot yet be turned on outside houses and on the streets due to economy and safety.
In Rivne, 56% of the city’s population spoke out against the New Year tree. Discussions are still going on in the front-line Dnieper. Mayor Boris Filatov believes that it is better to put up a Christmas tree, but turn on the illumination only on holidays. On the square in Chernivtsi, where a Christmas tree was put up year after year, hangars are now placed to help the settlers.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, instead of a Christmas tree, there will be a symbolic installation based on children’s drawings about war and victory. In Poltava, 3,000 euros planned for the Christmas tree will be donated to the needs of the army. “We will definitely celebrate more than one New Year after our victory!”, – said the mayor of the city.
There will be no Christmas trees in Uman, Nizhyn and Cherkassy. In a survey, people in these cities decided that the main holiday that every Ukrainian expects is Victory Day.
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.