The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel congratulates on Hanukkah! Today, December 16, the diplomatic institution published greetings on the occasion of the holiday, emphasizing the importance of light, faith, and dignity in these difficult times.
A special emphasis in their greeting was the words of support and photos from prominent Ukrainian cultural figures - Tina Karol and Serhiy Zhadan.
“We are honored to present greetings from Tina Karol and Serhiy Zhadan along with their photos from Drobytsky Yar in Kharkiv region,” the message stated.
In the images, the artists were shown next to the menorah in Drobytsky Yar.
Symbolism of the Choice of Venue for Greetings
The chosen place for sending greetings has great symbolic value, as Drobytsky Yar is a site near Kharkiv where one of the largest tragedies of the Holocaust in Ukraine took place. In 1941-1942, mass killings of Jews and Roma occurred there.
“In the early 2000s, a memorial complex with a commemorative menorah was established there, but on March 26, 2022, Russian artillery damaged the memorial menorah, disrupting the memory itself.”
In their address, the diplomats expressed wishes for warmth and mutual support, emphasizing that the Hanukkah candles carry an important message: “even a small spark can break through the darkness.”
Conclusion
Some events and greetings can carry special meaning and are meant to remind us of the tragedies of the past, as is the case with the greetings at Drobytsky Yar. It is important to honor history and memory, especially during such special moments as holidays.