The Student Association of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) and the student organization United Ukraine continued a tradition of bringing Christmas to the front line in eastern Ukraine. Performance of a vertep, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas play, before locals and soldiers is the heart of the trip.

Ukrainian Catholic University, students, Christamas, vertep, eastern Ukraine

“When the war began in eastern Ukraine, we decided to travel there and perform for our soldiers. We contacted the Ministry of Defense to let us perform near the front line. Fortunately, they allowed us. And finding benefactors who annually help us with expenses, since 2015 we have been performing in cities along the front line,” explains Yuriy Muryn of United Ukraine.

They visited sites in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

“The trip was exceptionally merry and friendly, regardless of very cold weather: the soldiers sincerely thanked us for our support. Some of them cried. Every year more and more people come to watch the vertep: they smile, they cry, they thank us, and often they sing along with the carols,” added Muryn.

UKRAINIAN-LANGUAGE VIDEO

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