This article reports on the impact of climate change and war on traditional winter festivities in Ukraine’s Hutsul region. The villages of Sokolivka, Krasnyk, and Spas have long celebrated Epiphany by carving ice sculptures and holding koliada (caroling) events. However, due to warming winters, the ice has become scarce, and carvers have had to get creative with materials like birch and wood.
The article notes that while some villagers are concerned about the changing climate, Hutsul priests view it as an opportunity to shift focus from material traditions to spiritual ones. The war in Ukraine, however, is a more pressing issue for many locals, who struggle to maintain their traditional practices due to the loss of carolers on the front lines and the challenges of gathering groups.
The article also highlights the connection between war and climate change, citing an ecologist’s estimate that the first two years of the full-scale war in Ukraine led to additional emissions equivalent to those of the Netherlands. This mix of war and climate shift is forcing Hutsul traditions to adapt, with some events now taking place indoors or being postponed.
The article features interviews with local residents, including a villager who regrets the decline of ice sculpture festivals and a priest who views climate change as an opportunity to focus on spiritual aspects of Christmas. The overall tone is reflective, highlighting the resilience of Ukrainian communities in the face of adversity.