Kyiv plans to install the largest nativity scene in Europe
The main festive location on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv will be dedicated to the Christmas Miracle.
The Kyiv City State Administration reported this.
Until January 16, a New Year's and Christmas fair town will be open on Sofiivska Square and Volodymyrskyi Road. Festive locations will also be organized in the Central Park of Culture and Recreation of Kyiv (Mariinskyi Park, City Garden's open-air stage).
The cultural project New Year – 2022 is mentioned in the Kyiv City State Administration Order № 2474.
According to the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration, this year's theme of the main festive location on Sofiivska Square is dedicated to the Christmas Miracle, when Jesus Christ was born. The base of the Christmas tree will be decorated as a traditional nativity scene, which has long been a Christmas tradition in Ukraine. Around the Christmas tree, you'll see figures of Jesus, the Mother of God, St. Joseph, shepherds, kings, angels, and carolers. They plan for this nativity scene to be the largest in Europe. The Christmas tree will be decorated with 10,000 red and gold toys.
"Kyiv residents and city guests will find holiday entertainment and treats for the entire family, for children and adults. In particular, the celebration program took into account the needs of various population segments, provided inclusive groups free access to the holiday, as well as strict implementation of anti-epidemic measures. Our task is to provide rich spectacles and a vibrant holiday program, considering the safety and environmental friendliness of the celebrations," said the director of the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration Yana Barinova.
According to the organizers, the Christmas tree will be lit in the capital on December 19. The 31-meter-high tree will shine with a 10-kilometer warm light garland in the form of a large dome. Around the Christmas tree, you'll find entertainment locations: photo zones, children's game zones, a workshop, a museum of Christmas decorations, a stage where performances and competitions will take place, etc.
Four festively decorated arches will lead to the fairgrounds, with four chandeliers in the center of each. A skating rink will be set up around the monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. There will also be a warm art recreation area on the square. There, visitors will be greeted by bright comets, which will symbolize the Christmas stars. Christmas music will create a festive atmosphere.
"There will be a lighted fair and a food court area on Volodymyrskyi Road, the traditional concept of which has changed a bit, given the challenges of today. The food will be prepared in the street food style: sandwiches and snacks that are convenient to take and leave, while maintaining social distance," added the Kyiv City State Administration.