Ukrainian community celebrate Christmas in style

Photo: Laura Wild

Maria Kopczuk, the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Paul Rowen MP, Councillor Angela Coric and Walter Duchak

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The Ukrainian community of the Rochdale borough celebrated Christmas together this evening (Saturday 16 January 2010) with a traditional Christmas supper and entertainment at the Ukrainian club on Mere Street.

Ukrainians in the borough celebrated their Christmas on Thursday 6 January in line with the Julian calendar – the meal was arranged by the Ukrainian Women’s Organisation for those in the community to celebrate together.

Walter Duchak chairman of the Rochdale branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain said: “Tonight is a chance for all the members of the community to get together to celebrate the traditional Ukrainian supper.”

Amongst the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Mayor Swift said: “It is a pleasure to be invited to celebrate the orthodox Christmas with the Ukrainian community – they have given so much to the borough in the many many years they have been in Rochdale. I would also like to wish the Ukrainian community a happy new year.”

Paul Rowen MP, said he was ‘delighted’ to be there, he said: “I have been coming to this Christmas supper for many years, it is great to see so many of the community here especially with the recent bad weather, in particular the older people of the community.”

Traditionally a Ukrainian Christmas supper contains 12 courses, this even the community were given a selection of four vegetarian dishes including a beetroot soup called ‘Borcht.’