Floridans Learn About Ukrainian Christmas

APOPKA, Fla. - Non-Ukrainian residents living in this part of Florida learned a great deal recently about the customs and traditions observed by Ukrainians at Christmastime.

The Apopka Chief carried a story on the subject in its December 23rd edition as told by Steve Kowalchuk, an area Ukrainian realtor, who is active in the Ukrainian community here.

The story contains Mr. Kowalchuk's reminiscences of Christmas in Ukraine and descriptions of the various customs connected with this holiday.

Mr. Kowalchuk then delved into the present-day situation in Ukraine, which he said, he visited a few years ago.

"Because of the Russians and the Ukrainian Communist Party have repressed church and church related holidays, the people are seldom able to celebrate in the open without fear of reprisals," the paper quotes Mr. Kowalchuk.

"When I went back to visit a few years ago, I asked my aunt how she celebrated Christmas. She told me that she puts her radio on her window and listens to and allows passers-by to hear Christmas programs from other countries," he said, adding that if she were found out she risked imprisonment in a concentration camp or in a mental hospital.

"Observing the Christmas season in my homeland can be difficult," said Mr. Kowalchuk, "but by doing it, the people struggle to keep some of their freedoms, especially the freedom of religion."

Mr. Kowalchuk and his wife belong to the UNA Branch 380 in Orlando.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 31, 1977, No. 289, Vol. LXXXIV

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