UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVENT
BRADFORD - ON - AVON
7th January 2023
War won’t ever stop the special celebration, even if it is in a different country.War cannot extinguish the spirit of celebration, even when it takes place in a different country. As part of my project, which focuses on Ukrainians moving to England due to the ongoing war, I had the opportunity to attend a special event. I was invited to experience and capture photographs of this unique gathering, which was a new and exciting experience for me as I hadn't attended such an event before.
The event I attended was a celebration of Ukrainian Christmas, open to everyone. It was a joyous occasion where Ukrainian families came together to celebrate, children received presents, and the British community showed their support by sharing their Christmas food. It was heartwarming to witness the exchange of traditions and cultural experiences between these two communities.
After giving it some thought, I decided to attend the event on January 7, 2023, despite my busy schedule. It was important for me to support the families and meet new people. When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the event organisers. I had already informed them about my intention to photograph the celebration for my project, and they were enthusiastic about helping me.
The event I attended was a celebration of Ukrainian Christmas, open to everyone. It was a joyous occasion where Ukrainian families came together to celebrate, children received presents, and the British community showed their support by sharing their Christmas food. It was heartwarming to witness the exchange of traditions and cultural experiences between these two communities.
After giving it some thought, I decided to attend the event on January 7, 2023, despite my busy schedule. It was important for me to support the families and meet new people. When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the event organisers. I had already informed them about my intention to photograph the celebration for my project, and they were enthusiastic about helping me.
At the entrance, there was a stand selling gifts to support Ukraine and provide aid. Inside the hall, I was surrounded by a diverse crowd. Most of the attendees were Ukrainian families, but there were also British individuals present. The food was displayed on stands, and people were socialising and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
During the event, Ukrainian children performed plays, acting out stories and singing traditional Christmas carols. Some adults even joined in the singing. It was a beautiful display of cultural traditions and a reminder that the spirit of celebration can overcome the challenges of war.
Overall, the event was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with the community and document their celebrations. It was a testament to the resilience and determination of these families to maintain their traditions and find joy despite being far away from their home country.
During the event, Ukrainian children performed plays, acting out stories and singing traditional Christmas carols. Some adults even joined in the singing. It was a beautiful display of cultural traditions and a reminder that the spirit of celebration can overcome the challenges of war.
Overall, the event was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with the community and document their celebrations. It was a testament to the resilience and determination of these families to maintain their traditions and find joy despite being far away from their home country.
There were various performances by families and children. Among them, there was a special singer named Nicole Medin who moved everyone with her beautiful voice while singing traditional songs. Her performance, especially when she wore her traditional Ukrainian costume, brought tears to the audience's eyes.
During the event, I had a strong but strange feeling that this moment could turn into something bigger and potentially open doors for me. I captured Nicole's performance on camera, even though some of the photos had grain due to the high ISO setting. Despite the technical challenges, I managed to take some good shots that showcased her talent and the enjoyment of the audience.
After the event, just as I was about to leave, Nicole approached me and we started discussing our respective work. She was enthusiastic about my project idea and how it would help raise funds for Ukraine. We exchanged contact information so that I could send her the images I had taken of her. I also asked if she would like to be involved in my work, and she happily agreed to contribute.
Overall, the performances at the event were amazing, and it was a truly remarkable experience for me. In addition to gaining the contacts I needed, I unexpectedly formed a new connection. Despite facing challenges like grainy and dark photos, this event served as a great learning experience. It has motivated me to be better prepared for future events of a similar nature.
During the event, I had a strong but strange feeling that this moment could turn into something bigger and potentially open doors for me. I captured Nicole's performance on camera, even though some of the photos had grain due to the high ISO setting. Despite the technical challenges, I managed to take some good shots that showcased her talent and the enjoyment of the audience.
After the event, just as I was about to leave, Nicole approached me and we started discussing our respective work. She was enthusiastic about my project idea and how it would help raise funds for Ukraine. We exchanged contact information so that I could send her the images I had taken of her. I also asked if she would like to be involved in my work, and she happily agreed to contribute.
Overall, the performances at the event were amazing, and it was a truly remarkable experience for me. In addition to gaining the contacts I needed, I unexpectedly formed a new connection. Despite facing challenges like grainy and dark photos, this event served as a great learning experience. It has motivated me to be better prepared for future events of a similar nature.
