A charity Christmas nativity play took place in New York, during which the Ukrainian community presented a modernized production with wartime meanings. The performance combined the biblical story of Christmas with themes of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the abduction of Ukrainian children, the occupation of Ukrainian territories, and the commemoration of specific fallen defenders of Ukraine. The event also had a charitable purpose — raising funds to support Ukrainian soldiers.
This was reported by Independence Avenue Media.
During their Christmas outings, the participants of the nativity play performed in various neighborhoods of New York and beyond, stopping at locations significant to the Ukrainian community and engaging with city residents. The organizers emphasize that the nativity play became not only a cultural event, but also a way to tell American society about the war in Ukraine and to mobilize support for the front.
One of the participants in the charity nativity play is Vasyl Bodnar from Ivano-Frankivsk. In the production, he embodies Andrii Chepil, a musician who was killed in battles for Ukraine and whom he knew personally.
“We glorify our heroes who have fallen. I represent Andrii Chepil. We used to go caroling together at his home. I felt that I wanted to play this role and that somewhere there, in heaven, he sees us and smiles,” Bodnar says.
The initiator of the modernized nativity play and the author of the script is Olha Hurniak, co-founder of the charitable organization Victory for U. Her brother Viktor Hurniak, after whom the foundation is named, was killed in 2014 in the Luhansk region and was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine. According to Olha Hurniak, in the script of the nativity play the three shepherds symbolize Ukrainian soldiers defending their land, while the three sheep stolen from the flock represent Donetsk region, Luhansk region, and Crimea. “Through the nativity play, these heroes continue to live,” she explains.
Another figure honored in the nativity play is Iryna Tsybukh, a volunteer of the Hospitallers battalion who was killed in May 2024 in the Kharkiv region. Her image serves as a reminder of the price Ukraine pays for freedom. The sheep costumes in the nativity play recreate the traditional clothing of regions currently under Russian occupation. The costume symbolizing Crimea was made by a Crimean Tatar artist from Canada.
Nativity play participant Khrystyna Mandro, who plays the sheep representing Luhansk region, explains:
“We have sheep that were stolen by Herod. He stole Luhansk, Crimea, and Donetsk. For us, it is important to show that Luhansk has always been Ukrainian. This is visible even in my clothing.”
All participants prepared the nativity play and performed in their free time outside of their main jobs. According to Sofia Hroshko, who plays the role of the devil, participation in the nativity play is a form of civic stance:
“We are an unbreakable nation. Wherever we are, in whatever corner of the world, we will still win. As long as this spirit of our strength exists here in New York and wherever people may be, there will be our victory.”
Iryna Plaskon, who plays the role of the angel, adds:Ірина Пласконь, виконавиця ролі янгола, додає:
“This is an important mission for all of us, not only for those who perform, but also for those who invite us and listen. Because we are raising money for the military.”
Summing up, Olha Hurniak emphasized:
“I want people to know that Ukraine’s victory is the victory of good over evil. And it does not matter whether you have Ukrainian roots or not.”
Photo: Independence Avenue Media, olkagurniak.
Author: Danylo Pievchev