Christmas cheer spread by Sask. dancers singing Ukrainian carols

December and January in Ukraine are traditionally marked with colourful costumes, large family gatherings filled with delicious dishes, and door-to-door carolling.

Ulyana Tetera remembers her early Christmases, as a child growing up in the Ukraine.

Ulyana Tetera and Maddox Stechyshyn are both students at the University of Saskatchewan, as well as full-time dancers for Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble. (Alex Brown/650 CKOM)

“Carols play an important role in the Ukrainian culture, as they bring communities together and convey messages of joy, hope and goodwill during the holiday season,” said Tetera, now a student at the University of Saskatchewan.

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Tetera emigrated to Canada when she was five and remembers carolling back home.

“I used to go carolling with my parents, but now I go with Yevshan,” she said, smiling. “It just feels like I’m back at home during the holiday season there.”

Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble is celebrating 65 years in 2025 and has been coordinating door-to-door carolling for more than 25 years.

For Tetera’s fellow dancer Maddox Stechyshyn, it’s a chance to celebrate his Ukrainian heritage.

“Most of our families are second or third-generation immigrants, but we try to keep things as traditional as possible,” he explained. “We have this opportunity of getting to share on the cultural front.”

Joy marred with sorrow

For many Ukrainian Canadians, the magic of the holiday season comes with feelings of sorrow and helplessness.

Stechyshyn and Tetera are both deeply affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict nearing its third year.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Tetera still has family living in Ukraine, and the conflict is a sensitive topic for her, as it is with so many Ukrainian-Canadians.

“Our aim is to preserve and quite literally perform our culture,” said dancer Maddox Stechyshyn. (Facebook/Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble)

But the strong and vibrant Ukrainian community in Saskatoon keeps them moving forward.

“(When) we came here, we didn’t know that there was such a big Ukrainian community. We were just welcomed and they knew our traditions and customs that we had back in Ukraine,” recalls Tetera. “It was very welcoming. We, of course, wanted to go home at the start when we came because it was a foreign land, but everyone (was) so inclusive that it was just a great place to move to.”

Meanwhile, Stechyshyn, who was born and raised in Canada, said the support for Ukraine in Saskatchewan helps him navigate the ongoing conflict.

“Having the opportunity to be positive, at least here, and keep the spirits up, is an honour,” said Stechyshyn. “I’ve heard first-hand from a lot of displaced Ukrainians that they feel very welcome and that they try to attend as many events as they can.”

A whole lot of cheer to your front door

Yevshan posted to their Facebook page in November, asking for sign-ups for Ukrainian carolling.

The dancers have been practicing the foreign carols since the fall, but this is a yearly tradition for many.

“After every practice, we’ll get together, go 15 minutes overtime, sit down and stretch for a bit, and practice,” Stechyshyn said.

“I’d say (there’s) maybe five Ukrainian people in our dance group, but the majority of us just learn the carols through either hearing the recordings or just listening to Ukrainian carols,” elaborated Tetera.

Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2025. (Facebook/Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble)

The carols are entirely in Ukrainian, and the entire musical program is around 15 minutes long.

“People usually ask about what the carols are about, as all of them are in Ukrainian, so they don’t know the translation,” Tetera explained. “Most of them are about wishing you hope and joy. And then the other ones are the message of God.”

The dancers share when they arrive at a home for carolling, the residents have gathered their friends and family for the evening.

“It’s a great bonding experience with other dance members, as well as seeing their family or other relatives and friends. Everybody settles down and then when they’re ready to go, we’re ready to go,” Tetera said, explaining how the process usually works.

“We start singing, and then at the end, we have a little Ukrainian greeting. And after that, we just visit and chat and explain.”

Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble has been Ukrainian carolling in Saskatoon for more than 25 years. (Facebook/Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble)

“It’s a good way to get out, especially as a student. You’re out during finals season, but at a time you’re usually kind of isolated and on your own, so it’s an easy way to meet new people,” Stechyshyn added.

“Usually when we go to the house, it’s not just their family members. There’s for sure, like 20 or 40 of them, and they do have displaced Ukrainians that are there to include them if they just came to Canada or don’t have a place to celebrate Christmas.”

Yevshan is continuing their Christmas carolling through to January seventh, eighth and ninth during Orthodox Christmas.

Donations to Yevshan are requested in exchange for the carolling.

“It’s supporting the opportunity to continue to spread our culture across the country and frankly, across the world. Every couple of years, we go on international tours, and our aim is to preserve and quite literally perform our culture,” shared Stechyshyn.

“Be prepared. There’s usually a lot of us, and there’s a lot of celebrating to follow.”