Ukrainians unite for annual Flash of the Christmas Star festival in Lviv
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
The classic event of "The Flash of the Christmas Star" is back in Lviv, featuring a lively parade of Christmas star bearers through the city's heart. Hundreds of locals and visitors from various parts of Ukraine came together for the procession this year. It's the first time that the traditional Ukrainian Christmas star procession has taken place amid Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
The Lviv City Council reported that.
The Christmas star-bearers procession started at the Church of the Holy Eucharist in Museum Square and then proceeded through Rynok Square to Angels Square, where the city's didukh [Ukrainian Christmas symbol—ed.] stands. The procession concluded near Lviv's main Christmas tree, where everyone joined in singing carols.
"Creating a Christmas star is an ancient Ukrainian tradition that existed in Nadsiannia. Masters from this region actually helped us revive this tradition and the method of creating such a structure. The festival "The Flash of the Christmas Star" has existed since 2007, and every year, new stars flash with us, which are decorated according to time and people's preferences.
With our procession of star-bearers, we want to show the whole world what an incredible cultural heritage we have. This is our heritage, so we are trying to continue this tradition," the festival coordinator, Nadiia Dzvonyk, says.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
People from different parts of Ukraine who carry stars participated in the event. Along with stars created using various methods, the attendees also brought vibrant outfits and traditional carols.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
"We've been involved in the star-bearer procession for years; it's a tradition. So we had our own star custom-made for the festival. We commissioned the star frame from Yuliia Hryzliuk, a skilled researcher and artisan in the star-bearing tradition. Our vocal ensemble, made up of eight girls, helped us decorate the star. We playfully call it the Bandera star because we chose a dark green that appears black from a distance, giving it the look of the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists) flag," Vasylyna Svidrak, a resident of the village of Kamianopol, Murovany community, said.
As the procession neared City Hall, Deputy Mayor Iryna Kulynych welcomed the participants and offered them donuts.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
"Thank you, dear star-bearers, for walking through the center of Lviv today with such a bright procession. This year, the Christmas star is a symbol of Christmas in Lviv, so it is very valuable to us that your festival takes place despite everything. The star symbolizes faith and hope, so we hope your hundreds of stars will warm us throughout the coming year. We thank our Ukraine's armed forces and all the fallen defenders who are now shining stars for us from the sky because it is thanks to these people that we can continue our customs today," Iryna Kulynych noted.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
It is worth noting that the "Flashes of the Christmas Star" festival has been held in Lviv since 2007 with the support of the Lviv City Council. The event organizer is the NGO "Ukrainian Youth – For Christ," and the co-organizers are the Educational and Methodological Center of Culture and Arts of Lviv Region.
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
Photo by Roman Baluk for the Lviv City Council
