Yaroslav Hrytsak and Nadiyka Gerbish
Translated by Marta Gosovska

This is a beautifully illustrated book. In fact, this is probably the most beautiful book I’ve read in 2024 – maybe longer.

But beyond being a lovely book, it is packed with information about Christmas traditions such as caroling and nativity scenes and decorations. Generally, it starts by tracing the introduction of the traditions and the forms they take throughout Europe, and then takes the reader to Ukraine to see how the customs are celebrated there. There are even some delicious recipes in the chapter on Christmas foods.

Being a faith-based book about a faith-based holiday, the writers also provide a brief history of the separation of the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church. They also go explore the changes that occurred during Soviet times and once Ukraine achieved freedom. 

The book was published before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but for Ukrainians the war started in 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea and began attacks in two southern provinces. The authors have updated the Introduction to the book, but I believe the references to war, though applicable to the current war, are actually referring to the first part of the invasion. 

I feel I learned a lot from this book, and would definitely highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Christmas, culture, or history. Or to people who just love books with gorgeous illustrations.