In conflict areas such as the Middle East or Ukraine, our Christmas peace is barely palpable. However, some diplomats from Austria are foregoing their home leave and spending the holidays in Kiev, Moscow, Tel Aviv or Ramallah (West Bank).
One of them is Anna-Maria Steiner. She is spending Christmas in the company of “many dear colleagues in Kiev,” as no embassy in the war-torn country is closed for the holidays. “Many people in Ukraine will officially celebrate Christmas for the first time this year on December 25 – the Ukrainian churches have decided that the Ukrainian Christ Child no longer has to adhere to the Russian calendar.” In any case, there are no large Christmas markets. Mulled wine for restaurants and, unlike last winter, there is still electricity.”
In war there is celebration, but the danger is never lost sight of. “The next wave of attacks could start any day.” The local population remained dependent on humanitarian aid such as medical care, including from Austria. “Most Ukrainians can only dream of Christmas peace.”
Shining lights in Moscow
The descriptions of diplomat Robert Gerschner from Moscow are completely different. ‘Just like before the war, the streets of Moscow have been shining with lights and lavish decorations since early December during the long winter nights.’ Among the Orthodox in Russia, Christmas is not celebrated until January 6, but there is also a festive gathering on December 31 in the family circle around a decorated Christmas tree. “It is also a tradition for many Russians to watch the president’s television speech around New Year’s Eve. Otherwise, many people try not to think about politics and instead focus on their private lives and contact with family and friends.”
Only on New Year’s Day do the children receive presents from ‘Father Frost’, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus. Gerschner himself spends Christmas with his family in Moscow and calls his parents and adult son in Austria.
Sad mood in Israel
However, from Israel, diplomat Gabriele Gil-Feigl and her colleague Christoph Sternat report a gloomy mood. “Jerusalem and Ramallah remain somber and sober in the run-up to Christmas. Against the backdrop of Hamas terror, the patriarchs of the Christian churches have decided not to hang Christmas decorations in Jerusalem this year. “Christmas trees and Christmas decorations are only occasionally found in shops and restaurants,” said Sternat, head of the Austrian representative office in Ramallah, West Bank.
Christmas Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is reserved for only a few people this year. Gabriele Gil-Feigl from Tel Aviv says otherwise lavish celebrations have been canceled because of the war. In any case, she will have dinner with colleagues on December 24. Gil-Feigl and Sternat counter that there are fewer and fewer Christians in Israel. “In cities like Tel Aviv, Christmas lights are already unusual in times of peace, because the Jewish faith shapes the culture (…). The people of Israel hope that the situation will stabilize next year and that the festive atmosphere can return next year at Christmas.”
The Austrian Foreign Ministry currently warns against travel to 16 countries, and there are warnings for individual regions in a further 22 countries. In addition to Ukraine (for the entire country), Russia and Israel (both partially), these are also Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Palestine.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
