The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy supports the all-Ukrainian campaign
“Koliada for the Defender 2025–2026”
The all-Ukrainian Christmas campaign “Koliada for the Defender” (the koliada being the traditional Ukrainian Christmas carol) has been launched in Ukraine for the second time, organised by the Coalition of Veteran and Volunteer Forces of Ukraine together with the charitable foundations “Victory and Recovery” and “Amber Lion”.
It is a large-scale initiative intended to unite Ukrainians all over the world around the light of Christmas and gratitude to our defenders, who protect Ukraine every day.
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) officially supports the campaign, and CNAUI’s Department of Culture invites everyone who wishes to take part.
“The ‘Koliada for the Defender’ campaign is our way of thanking those who keep the sky over Ukraine safe.
Every carol is a ray of light we send to our heroes.
I call on all Ukrainian communities in Italy to join this initiative.
Together we can give our defenders a sense of home, warmth and unity.”
– Liudmylka Horbachyk, Head of the Department of Culture
Registration and details on taking part: scan the QR code or read the campaign page.
If your group, school, community or association would like your carol to appear on the official website of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy as well,
please contact the curator of CNAUI’s “Christmas Together” project, Olha Vakulich, on WhatsApp at +39 327 846 2260
On the first Sunday after Christmas we invite Ukrainian associations in Italy to a great shared carol!
28 December 2025
All through December we prepared TOGETHER: we held workshops, made the main symbols of Christmas, and shared warmth and traditions.
Ukrainian schools, lyceums and cultural centres joined in too — they recorded and sent us their Christmas customs, carols and festive greetings, so that we could gather them into one shared festive space.
We will carol online, so that distance does not divide our voices, our traditions and the Christmas joy we share.
That way every community, every family and every association can take part, whatever their city or region.
So on this first Sunday after Christmas we want to bring together all our voices, all our hearts, all our communities —
so that one great Ukrainian carol rings out on Italian soil.
It will be a moment of unity, gratitude and light.
A moment when each of us will feel:
we are far from home, but we are together;
we are in Italy, but our traditions live on;
we are scattered across different cities, but we share the same roots.
We invite associations, schools, communities and families to join this shared carol —
so that Christmas shines even brighter for us all.
We will soon post the link to the online gathering (Facebook, YouTube, Google Meet).
Join us from 16:00, or send us your video in advance so that we can include it in the programme.
We want every community’s voice to be heard, and the Christmas traditions of Ukrainians in Italy to be preserved and presented with dignity.
“Preserving our traditions means preserving our identity.
When we carol together, even far from home,
we renew our bond with our roots, with our families, with Ukraine.
The koliada is a force that unites generations and communities.
Let us give that strength to our defenders
and show that Ukrainian culture lives, resounds and inspires —
wherever we may be,” urges the President of CNAUI
Lara Levchun
Join in. Sing. Show your support.
Together, let us create a Christmas that warms Ukraine.
