Celebration marking the end of the Christmas cycle – “Farewell to the Koliada” in Tallinn

On Sunday, Ukrainians in Tallinn came together for a wonderful celebration marking the end of the Christmas cycle – “Farewell to the Koliada”. The Christmas nativity play and concert at the Teachers’ House brought together everyone who is interested in and honours Ukrainian traditions!

The chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia Volodymyr Palamar opened the concert by congratulating everyone on a double celebration, because on 28 January, 32 years ago, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the resolution “On approving the National Flag as the State Flag of Ukraine”. Holding the flag of Ukraine signed by the former Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi, who died defending the country, we recalled how almost a year ago we received this flag inscribed “We will win!” as a gift – and every day we keep doing everything we can to make it happen!

Father Roman Kikh, pastor for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Estonia, stressed in his address that Christmas shows God’s great love for man: He becomes man to pave the way to heaven for humanity. The coming of the Lord to earth assures us that in all circumstances of life He guides the person who seeks good. The Christmas season is full of traditions that glorify the birth of the Son of God. Today we have the opportunity to hear various carols and, at the end, to watch the Vertep – a prayerful glorification of God through theatre.

The wonderful evening began with the presentation of the short music film “Angel of Christmas”, created by the art studio “Mrija” Ukraina Kunstide Stuudio Mrija MTÜ together with Ukrainian artists with the assistance of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia! The world-famous “Shchedryk” by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, performed by both young and adult Ukrainians, was sung in Estonian for the first time in the world!

The guests witnessed a dialogue between a little angel and God. The angel asks God for peace and harmony in every family and firmly believes that as long as “Shchedryk” is heard and carols are sung around the world, spring will surely come, long-awaited peace will come to Ukraine, and the swallows will fly to Estonia and to Ukraine.

The concert programme at the Teachers’ House was opened by pupils of the catechism school of the UGCC parish of the Mother of God of the Three Hands in Tallinn (artistic directors Khrystyna Hasii and Uliana Vytvytska) and continued with lyrical and fiery performances by the Ukrainian Sunday School “Nadija” Nadija Kool and its bandura ensemble (artistic director Liudmyla Hramiak), the talented young people of the Ukrainian song and dance ensemble VOLYA Ukrainian song and dance group "Volya" led by Yevhen Novokhatnii and chief choreographer Anastasiia Kozachok, the heartfelt singing of Kateryna Chalova and Inna Filipova, Karina Amirkhanian-Chervinko and Tetiana Kychenko, and virtuoso playing by pianists Olena Ilnytska and Hanna Werner.

The guests also heard a performance by Ensemble Dibrova – a unique Ukrainian professional ensemble, the only one in Estonia, which performs world classics and music of various genres and styles on plucked string folk instruments. Artistic director and arranger Olena Duminika.

The evening ended with the long-awaited and colourful Christmas nativity play (Vertep), created by young people of the UGCC parish in Tallinn Ukraina Kreeka-Katoliku Kiriku Tallinna Kogudus.

Visitors could also choose unique handmade souvenirs by Ukrainian craftswomen, healthy sweets and fairy-tale books for children and adults!
Our sincere thanks to all the performers and participants, and to the hosts of the event Serhii Oliinyk and Inna Hordiienko! 

Thank you to the audience – from babies to the elderly – who supported the performers! There wasn’t a single empty seat in the hall!

Thank you to the organisers of the event: the parish of the Mother of God of the Three Hands of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Estonia together with the Ukrainian Youth Association in Estonia with the support of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia.

Thank you for the photos, Jelivafoto!
See you next time.