– Would you like a cup of coffee or tea? Andrii Meha welcomes you into one of the old student residences in Hovenga in Porsgrunn. Since February, he, his wife Nataliia and daughter Mariia (7) have been living in Norway. In September they were joined by Eduard Ivchenko, Anna Vasylieva and their son Nazar (7). Nazar (7) has started to get into the Christmas spirit. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news The two families are looking forward to the first Christmas celebration in Norway, but make no secret of the fact that it will be different. – At home in Ukraine, we usually celebrate Christmas on January 7, says Anna. This summer it became known that Ukraine has moved its official Christmas celebration to December 25 as a clear break with the Russian Orthodox Church. Norwegian training and schooling Andrii and his wife have already completed around 70 hours of Norwegian training. – And Mariia has started second grade at Borge school. She is enjoying herself very well, smiles Nataliia. Wearing Christmas sweaters and gentle pressure from smiling parents, Mariia and Nazar tune in to Jingle Bells. – At home we also have a tradition of singing an old Ukrainian Christmas carol, “Carol of the Bells”. In this country, it is probably best known from the “Home Alone” films, says Eduard. – And how does it sound? – You can’t get me to sing it now, laughs the 34-year-old. – But he usually hums and sings along when it is played on the radio, his wife Anna chimes in. Mariia and Nazar play and sing Christmas in. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news Missing the grandparents Despite the apparently good mood and expectations for their first Christmas on Norwegian soil, the rest of the family is greatly missed. – She’s thinking about her grandparents now, says Nataliia and looks over at her daughter Mariia. The seven-year-old takes her head between her hands and pushes the teddy bear in front of her face when she realizes that we are talking about those who are still in war-torn Ukraine. – We think it will be a nice Christmas celebration here in Porsgrunn, but we hope the war ends so that we can go home and celebrate Christmas in Ukraine next year, says Andrii. – When do you think there will be peace? – It is impossible to say. I don’t know, but we hope, he sighs. Expectations for Norwegian Christmas food do not seem to be that much higher, we are to believe Nazar. – At home, the tradition is that we eat a porridge with a mixture of seeds, nuts and honey, explains Anna, and assures her son that Norwegian Christmas food will also be good. Anna Vasylieva and Eduard Ivchenko try to convince their son Nazar (7) that Norwegian Christmas food tastes good. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news Thanking the king Although there are sometimes heavy thoughts, not least in the run-up to Christmas, the two families try to keep their spirits up. – It helps a little that we can see and talk to family and friends via video chat. It will be part of it, says Eduard. Andrii breaks in and reminds them that they must remember to thank. They have obviously prepared well for who will be mentioned. – The Norwegian king and the government, says Anna. Both families are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in Norway for the first time. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news For Mariia and Nazar, this year’s gift wish is as big as it goes without saying. – We hope that there will be peace in Ukraine so that we can celebrate Christmas at home next year.
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Ukrainian refugees ready for their first Norwegian Christmas celebration – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
