– Dad will be very happy to see the picture of us, says Anastasia Chertovska. Eight months ago, she and her daughter Dominika fled from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to Norway. Anastasia’s father is still left in the war-torn country. Wearing a Christmas red dress in front of a newly decorated Christmas tree, one-year-old Dominika’s patience is put to the test. – Look! – Dominika! Dominica! shouts photographer Levent Ultanur from across the room. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news This year, he and Ukrainian Oksana Grei have decided to spread Christmas cheer across national borders. They take pictures of Ukrainians who have come to Norway after the outbreak of the war. The photos will be used on Christmas cards sent to the remaining family members in Ukraine. – Our goal is to get a picture on the wall of the fathers of these children, who unfortunately have to be in Ukraine while the family is here, says Ultanur. Ukrainian Oksana Grei and Turkish Levent Ultanur offer Ukrainians who have come to Norway free photography for Christmas cards. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Have sent 130 tonnes of mail – I think it’s so fascinating how Levent has chosen to give back to Ukraine. There is so much warmth in what he is doing now, says Kenneth Tjønndal Pettersen in Posten Norge. Press manager at Posten Norge Kenneth Tjønndal Pettersen. Photo: Posten Earlier this year, Posten decided that it would be free to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Christmas gifts can now also be sent for free. So far this year, private individuals in Norway have sent over 130 tonnes of parcels to Ukraine. Posten transports the parcels up to the border between Poland and Ukraine. There, the Ukrainian postal service takes over. – We send approximately one truck a week to Ukraine, says Pettersen. – Thinking about them a lot If everything goes according to plan, 20 mothers and their children will be photographed before Christmas is called. Photographer Levent Ultanur shows off the photos he has taken of Dominika (1) and her mother Anastasia Chertovska. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Levent Ultanur hopes the Christmas cards will become a bright spot for the men who remain in Ukraine. – It is a very, very good feeling to be able to contribute. I think about them a lot, and put myself in that situation. I wouldn’t like it there at all.
ttn-69
Sends free Christmas greetings to war-torn Ukraine – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
