This is how Ukrainians celebrate the holiday in spite of everything

Everything can be the same as always. A small Christmas tree decorates the table and burning candles, a gingerbread box and a fir branch announce the holidays. But appearances can be deceiving, nothing is the same for the Martynova family. “It will be different, unfortunately that’s the only way,” says mother Evgenia (44).

A year ago, Evgenia, Vova (17) and Tanya (14) celebrated Christmas together in Ukraine. January 7 was as it should be for the Orthodox feast. They served twelve dishes, including a turkey, with their loved ones. The next day they visited friends and family.

Today, a year and a Russian offensive war later, the three are sitting in their apartment in Kreuzlingen TG, a place they had never heard of, 2000 kilometers from home.

When war broke out on February 24, son Vova was given the opportunity to flee to Switzerland. The local ice hockey association organized an escape to Switzerland for talented Ukrainian ice hockey players like him. The young man got on the train alone in Kiev, but after three weeks his mother and sister followed him. “I wanted to be close to my son,” says Evgenia, an economist who works as a masseuse.

The man had to stay

Her husband Andrey (42) stayed behind in her apartment near Kiev, and he was not allowed to leave the country, as is the case with many other Ukrainian families. “We talk on the phone every day, at least there are video calls,” says Evgenia. It’s good news for her if things stay quiet at home. The worst days are those when the bombs fall. “Sometimes I feel like I’m in a nightmare,” says the mother. Light and internet work only partially, but at least Söma, a small pug and two tortoises keep the man company.

Theoretically, the Martynova family could travel home for 14 days at Christmas, like all the other 74,000 Ukrainian refugee women, their protection status would allow. But the trip is much too expensive, Evgenia rejects. 250 francs per person and one way, that’s 1500 francs round trip for three. Not to mention the dangers.

“I would like to go home today,” says son Vova. And daughter Tanya also misses her friends and of course pug Söma. Evgenia Martynova even knows Ukrainians who have returned home. A large number of them have now fled back to Switzerland because the situation at home was too dangerous and unnecessary. She herself only wants to go home “when my children can grow up safely”. All three have only one Christmas wish. “That the war will soon end.”

distraction helps

And so they practice optimism and celebrate despite everything. “It helps me if I’m active, then my head is calm,” says Evgenia. Kutya is served on Christmas Eve, a wheat porridge with honey, poppy seeds, grapes and candied fruit. Tradition has it that cousins ​​serve food to their god or god. And in return they give sweets, gifts or money.

There will not be twelve courses as usual this Christmas in exile, but Evgenia, of course, will not be stingy. The boy’s favorite dish, a salad with fish and vegetables. Later a chocolate cake and last but not least: the Russian salad. Although “Russia” has become a taboo word, try not to hate the people of this country, says Evgenia. “Otherwise it will destroy you inside.”

And then there is the invitation to the Müller family for the holidays. The Swiss took them in for two months and helped them gain a foothold abroad. Of course they accepted the invitation.