Nativity plays, caroling, and Finns: How Ukrainian Christmas traditions thrive in Santa Claus’s homeland

Finland, the enchanting home of Santa Claus, proudly hosts the official residence of the world-famous grandpa in a red coat in Rovaniemi, the town nestled right on the Arctic Circle. Unsurprisingly, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the busiest time at Santa's village. 

While Santa and his helpers prepare for the holiday far up north, Ukrainians around the world are creating their own Christmas magic. We caught a glimpse of it in Helsinki, southern Finland.

Our first meeting with Nadiia Maksymiuk, the leading coordinator of the Ukrainian Center and a board member of the Ukrainian Association in Finland, took place at the Ukrainian Center in downtown Helsinki. There, I witnessed a touching scene: Finnish locals brought a mountain of Lego sets (no exaggeration) for Ukrainian children.

"Look, there's a toy train set here!" one of the volunteers exclaimed, carrying boxes inside from the snowy street. "I used to dream of one like this!"

The air was cold but festive, filled with anticipation of Christmas and a deep sense of Ukraine.

Here, Ukraine is never forgotten.

Founded in 1997, the Ukrainian Association in Finland has grown from a small group of enthusiasts meeting a few times a year into a major volunteer organization. A turning point came in 2014, when its efforts expanded to make Ukraine more visible in Finland, leading to the founding of the Ukrainian Theater and an annual Ukrainian film festival in Helsinki.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the association's work has expanded immensely. They've established a humanitarian hub that has already sent 75 trucks of aid to Ukraine and hundreds of pickup trucks to the front lines. Their unique platform, AutaUkrainaa, also allows anyone — Finns, Ukrainians, or others — to contribute to collecting needed supplies.

"Last year, the Ukrainian Center in Finland received a unique honor: a state award from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Committee for Public Information. It was the first time in Finnish history that such recognition was given to a public organization. The award was granted for sharing information in challenging circumstances. It was an important validation of our work," Nadiia proudly says.

The association members also organize rallies in support of Ukraine, concerts, theater performances, cultural events, and, of course, nativity plays. After all, what's Christmas without a traditional Ukrainian Vertep?

At our second meeting, Nadiia is almost unrecognizable — this time, she is on stage as one of the performers. In the nativity play, she portrays a mischievous devil.

Before the performance begins, a little girl with angel wings walks through the audience, handing out feathers from her wings with a smile. "I've got plenty more," she says.

The children in the audience freeze with excitement as the first notes of music fill the hall. All eyes are glued to Nadiia and the other actors on stage as they bring the Ukrainian Christmas story to life.

The association has organized nativity plays before, but this time, it was their largest audience yet. Last year, the play was also staged at Oodi but in a smaller hall for 150 people. Not everyone could fit — spectators sat in the aisles or stood at the back to catch a glimpse. This year, they reserved the library's largest hall for 250 attendees. The growing interest in Ukraine and its culture in Finland is undeniable, says Nadiia.

She recalls how it all began seven years ago. Back then, a small group of active Ukrainians in Helsinki decided to give their children a genuinely Ukrainian Christmas. The children learned roles for the nativity play, the adults practiced carols, and on Christmas Eve, they went from house to house, singing for Ukrainian friends.

"It was so touching," Nadiia remembers. "This tradition is very special to us."

Each year since then, the Ukrainian Association in Finland has refined the original nativity play script.

"At first, we mostly organized children's nativity plays. But we also held events at the Ukrainian Embassy," the Ukrainian Center coordinator explains.

The approach to the nativity play changed after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the association's artistic groups is the choir Perespiv. Its choir director, Uliana Burdina, suggested reviving the nativity play with a script inspired by her childhood and family traditions.

"We were thrilled to bring her idea to life, involving choir members and, importantly, our Ukrainian scout group, Plast," says Nadiia. "The children had smaller roles, but their participation was vital — it's a way to pass Ukrainian traditions to the next generation. That's the point of it: keeping culture and customs alive in the hearts of those who come after us."

The play is mainly performed in Ukrainian, but that doesn't deter the Finns in the audience from diving into the story. Subtitles are displayed behind the actors throughout the performance, and some traditional Ukrainian carols were translated and sung in Finnish.

"The Christmas season is a special time to draw attention to Ukraine and its traditions," says Nadiia, the Ukrainian Center coordinator. "For many Ukrainians, these holidays evoke warm childhood memories, reminding them of something dear and familiar. For Finns, it's a chance to discover Ukraine and learn about our culture, traditions, and mindset. It's particularly important to showcase how unique Ukrainian heritage is, especially since it was long overshadowed by the so-called 'great Russian culture.' Now, Finns are invested in our events, from Christmas concerts to other activities. Their curiosity and support are truly inspiring." 

Finland stands out as the country with one of the highest levels of support for Ukraine, and it's no coincidence. A shared border and a shared history with Russia play a significant role. Memories of the Winter War, understanding of Russian propaganda, and fake narratives help Finns better understand the situation Ukraine faces today.

Many Finns volunteer to support Ukrainians. They organize aid drives, teach and entertain Ukrainian children, and help Ukrainian communities come together. However, in Finland, support for Ukrainians doesn't come only from Finns.

"Last year, there were a few moments of support that I'll never forget," Nadiia Maksymiuk recalls. "One of them was a collaboration with an American girl, the daughter of the US military attaché. She came to us with an idea to organize a holiday event for Ukrainian children."

The girl collected around 50 gifts for displaced children as part of her school project. Thanks to her efforts, the Ukrainian Association hosted a St. Nicholas Day celebration, during which each child received a gift.

"Her project didn't just bring joy to the children; it was a shining example of true kindness," Nadiia shares. "I invited her to the event so she could see the happiness on the kids' faces as they unwrapped their presents with glowing smiles and bright eyes. It was a moment that stayed with me."

She continues, "But who touched me the most was a Japanese chef named Koji. He wrote to us offering his help. Koji organized an exquisite dinner for Ukrainians: he found sponsors, bought ingredients, and personally prepared dishes as if it were a top-tier restaurant. The dinner took place in our community space, and it was a true celebration — from the beautifully plated meals to the warm, welcoming atmosphere."

Such moments remind us of how generous and compassionate people from all over the world can be. From an American schoolgirl to a Japanese chef, each person contributed to supporting the Ukrainian community.

However, the work of the Ukrainian Association in Finland is far from carefree. In addition to supporting Ukrainians in Finland, providing humanitarian aid to those in Ukraine, and helping soldiers on the front lines, the organization faces daily challenges from the influence of the "Russian world," even in Helsinki.

"The proximity to the Russian border significantly impacts our work," says Nadiia Maksymiuk. "It creates a series of challenges tied to the activities of pro-Russian organizations. Unfortunately, some of these groups disguise themselves as Finnish community associations, receiving grant funding to work with Ukrainians but doing so in Russian. They promote narratives that blur the lines between Russian and Ukrainian identities. For instance, they push the idea of 'Russian-speaking Ukrainians' who supposedly don't care what language they use."

Nadiia adds, "It's infuriating because while Ukrainian organizations often struggle to receive adequate support, resources are funneled into these dubious projects. For example, we've had cases where we directly asked such organizations if they condemn the war in Ukraine, only to hear evasions like, 'We're not a political organization.' They can't even openly state their stance, which raises serious doubts about their credibility."

What worries Nadiia the most is the risk of Ukrainian children being Russified.

"There was one case where a friend noticed that her child, who used to speak Ukrainian, started using Russian at school because that's the language of the environment. To address this, she now brings her child to Ukrainian scouting classes weekly to create a Ukrainian-speaking space for them. This highlights just how vulnerable children are to the language they hear around them," says Nadiia.

That's why the Ukrainian Association in Ukraine has made protecting Ukrainian children from hidden propaganda and Russification a top priority. They organize educational events, hobby groups, and Ukrainian-speaking spaces, involving parents in supporting these initiatives. Their plans include opening a Ukrainian Saturday school where children can connect and learn the Ukrainian language, literature, and history.

"This is our way of preserving the cultural identity of our children and shielding them from harmful influences. Children must understand who they are, think critically, and feel proud to be Ukrainian. Our mission is to raise conscious Ukrainians who, no matter where they are, will stand up for Ukraine," Nadia shares.

The work is far from done. The organization plans to continue supporting the front lines and civilians in Ukraine while uniting Ukrainians and Ukraine's friends in Finland. The activists are sure they'll have the strength to do it. 

"During an official visit, the president of the Ukrainian World Congress said something powerful: 'Every Ukrainian must ask themselves: what did I do during Ukraine's darkest times to help overcome them and contribute to victory?'" says Nadiia. "This question inspires action and reflection. I already know my answer, and I want every Ukrainian to reflect and find theirs, no matter where they are. That will give us the strength to move forward."

***

The Christmas play comes to a close, and the final carol fills the air. What started as a way to bring "our people" together — a way to feel at home — still serves the same purpose. It's warm, genuine, and honest.

Now, though, "our people" is made up of so many more — those who support Ukraine. And in the future, there will be even more.