Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on January 7th and involves decorating one's home, sending greetings to relatives and friends, and preparing a festive table. It is a family holiday where close family gathers around the table to share good wishes and sing Christmas songs. The Christmas Eve table consists of 12 meatless dishes symbolizing the 12 apostles and provides vitamins and minerals. Family sits down to the festive meal only after the first star appears in the sky. Kutya, made from wheat, barley or rice with raisins, nuts and honey, is one of the main dishes. Uzvar, a dried fruit compote that can be made year-round with different fruits, is traditionally prepared

1. Katya Melesh Veronica
Ostapuk,
eTwinners from Ukraine

2.  Christmas in Ukraine is
celebrated on the 7th of
January. It is necessary to
decorate the house, to
send congratulations to
the relatives and friends,
and to prepare a festive
table. It is a family holiday,
when the close people are
sitting at the holiday table,
sharing good wishes and
singing Christmas songs
(kolyadky).

3.  The table on Christmas Eve is not just dinner.
 12 meatless dishes that are traditionally cooked
for dinner (symbolizing 12 apostles) provide a
full range of vitamins and minerals.
 Only after the appearance of the first star ,
bearing good news , family sits at the festive
table. Although it consists of meatless dishes it
really looks great.

4.  Kutya is one of the
main Christmas dishes
 It is usually based on
wheat, barley or rice
with raisins, grated
nuts, honey and
stewed fruit.

5.  Christmas uzvar is
traditionally prepared for
kutya.
 Actually, dried fruit
compote was formerly one
of the most traditional
drinks. It can be prepared
in summer with fresh
berries, in autumn, winter
and spring.

6.  Traditionally, the salad is
prepared with cooked
(potatoes, beets, carrots,
beans), raw (onions and
parsley) and pickled or
salted (cucumber) fruit
 Vegetables are cut into
cubes are mixed and
dressed with vinegar, spices
and oil.

7. THANK YOU VERY MUCH