![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYEGGLMJHNAM7JL3TB3V4RE7SI.jpg?smart=true&auth=372bc7f8389de9d6db0b77e385c040908b181d3fd941996c5ba461862a246b89&width=400&height=225)
Children play during the Christmas celebrations.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N7U5LY3OTNEWNBIG7FEPKTZ4AQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c7a2d823cc5ae3282bc4828ae77582a61cf41ab988e7194bfd109be43cca1b4&width=400&height=225)
A child plays with a balloon during Christmas celebrations of the Ukrainian community in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MNCYPUDA3FFN7IYNBWB6UZMBBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ee6276098f406532b9dafa6fbc9ecf62dd1a7da1d0b4a3234ede2c6a8eca495&width=400&height=225)
The celebrations took place at the Umm Al Emarat Park, where families participated in various traditional workshops.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A44EHXGMNFBT5IGAOGDHPDUETQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=23353752169384c72f37a3cf9c2d1072b30897d04a8fef441da486b0dcd0d5bf&width=400&height=225)
A child writes a letter to Santa during the festivities.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27Q4FULLLFCLRKVY5PGI5YEMYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffcf9f1a2edf85af81a0f0993d339091dfa953153e911daf93386cb56fd0c005&width=400&height=225)
Moussa Khalil with his daughter Ivana during a workshop.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSZ2K4EHMJE2ZE6VYSA35V67EI.jpg?smart=true&auth=00591a26df58ff87a9622d07c4639bea01364635ed385baaf257e16f46a19ef4&width=400&height=225)
The gathering involved cherished traditions, workshops, carols and activities for all the family.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XBFRHYK7IVETNLYMWWVMEW5EGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=277fc97aa970a7f14de07c9406e08c59818ed5a2b21400c5e13d6092b3441198&width=400&height=225)
Families participated in various traditional workshops during the festive event.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QU7KRAHGHZFSFI4MPPOOPICU4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=87325079fe65ca63b9c2666ac3d4c4187fa1e59645380bbf61cfdfcf5474c917&width=400&height=225)
Children met Ukrainian Santa, or Sviatyi Mykolai, decorated festive treats and enjoyed Ukrainian Christmas songs.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IB4ZF6GUEZCJXJDOXCNL2WGV7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=843f88782bad73e486383adbfc365b03feb49694b77cb75bae342093e1b88bcb&width=400&height=225)
Rizdvo is the Ukrainian word for Christmas and the event showcased the rich cultural tapestry of the country.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CWIUDHOIU5DJPGKWOQJOEJ6PJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f58270108df70cfcbd46fc0f4ff5165ad21c36727281a5b85769cb09c10a985&width=400&height=225)
Children in traditional Ukrainian dresses during the celebrations.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYEGGLMJHNAM7JL3TB3V4RE7SI.jpg?smart=true&auth=372bc7f8389de9d6db0b77e385c040908b181d3fd941996c5ba461862a246b89&width=400&height=225)
Children play during the Christmas celebrations.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N7U5LY3OTNEWNBIG7FEPKTZ4AQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c7a2d823cc5ae3282bc4828ae77582a61cf41ab988e7194bfd109be43cca1b4&width=400&height=225)
A child plays with a balloon during Christmas celebrations of the Ukrainian community in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Vidhyaa Chandramohan / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MNCYPUDA3FFN7IYNBWB6UZMBBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ee6276098f406532b9dafa6fbc9ecf62dd1a7da1d0b4a3234ede2c6a8eca495&width=400&height=225)
The celebrations took place at the Umm Al Emarat Park, where families participated in various traditional workshops.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A44EHXGMNFBT5IGAOGDHPDUETQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=23353752169384c72f37a3cf9c2d1072b30897d04a8fef441da486b0dcd0d5bf&width=400&height=225)
A child writes a letter to Santa during the festivities.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27Q4FULLLFCLRKVY5PGI5YEMYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffcf9f1a2edf85af81a0f0993d339091dfa953153e911daf93386cb56fd0c005&width=400&height=225)
Moussa Khalil with his daughter Ivana during a workshop.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSZ2K4EHMJE2ZE6VYSA35V67EI.jpg?smart=true&auth=00591a26df58ff87a9622d07c4639bea01364635ed385baaf257e16f46a19ef4&width=400&height=225)
The gathering involved cherished traditions, workshops, carols and activities for all the family.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XBFRHYK7IVETNLYMWWVMEW5EGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=277fc97aa970a7f14de07c9406e08c59818ed5a2b21400c5e13d6092b3441198&width=400&height=225)
Families participated in various traditional workshops during the festive event.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QU7KRAHGHZFSFI4MPPOOPICU4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=87325079fe65ca63b9c2666ac3d4c4187fa1e59645380bbf61cfdfcf5474c917&width=400&height=225)
Children met Ukrainian Santa, or Sviatyi Mykolai, decorated festive treats and enjoyed Ukrainian Christmas songs.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IB4ZF6GUEZCJXJDOXCNL2WGV7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=843f88782bad73e486383adbfc365b03feb49694b77cb75bae342093e1b88bcb&width=400&height=225)
Rizdvo is the Ukrainian word for Christmas and the event showcased the rich cultural tapestry of the country.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CWIUDHOIU5DJPGKWOQJOEJ6PJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f58270108df70cfcbd46fc0f4ff5165ad21c36727281a5b85769cb09c10a985&width=400&height=225)
Children in traditional Ukrainian dresses during the celebrations.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYEGGLMJHNAM7JL3TB3V4RE7SI.jpg?smart=true&auth=372bc7f8389de9d6db0b77e385c040908b181d3fd941996c5ba461862a246b89&width=400&height=225)
Children play during the Christmas celebrations.
Ukrainians in UAE celebrate Christmas tradition at Abu Dhabi event
Rizdvo, Ukrainian Christmas, takes place in Umm Al Emarat Park and aims to show the country's rich heritage
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
23 December, 2023
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