"Hanukkah on the march": Kyiv lights Europe's largest hanukkhia, and Zelensky meets with rabbis

Along with the “newstyle” Christmas, the Ukrainian government paid considerable attention to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. In this regard, the largest hanukkhia in Europe was installed and solemnly lit in the capital of Ukraine, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the country’s rabbis, who held religious events at the Presidential Office. This was reported by the media.

It is reported that on December 25, 2024, in the heart of Independence Square in Kyiv, the largest hanukkhia in Europe was solemnly lit. The event was personally led by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Representatives of Jewish organizations and communities, as well as the Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine, attended the event.

“I congratulate the Jewish community on Hanukkah! This is a holiday that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, purity and spirituality over materialism. May the light of Hanukkah bring joy, goodness, hope, and bring speedy peace to both the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples. In 2024, the beginning of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas for Christians. This coincidence means that the prayers for peace, goodness, and joy are even stronger because they come from a large number of people in different parts of the world,” – Klitschko said in his welcoming speech.

In addition, on the same day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the rabbis of Ukraine, who congratulated him on Hanukkah and held religious events at the Presidential Office. Zelenskyy and the rabbis lit a Hanukkah hanukkhia together and read Jewish prayers.

“Today is both Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah. It is very good that in Ukraine we can celebrate such holidays with respect for each other, communicate, live together and wish different people the same victory – the victory of light over darkness. I congratulate the Jewish community on the holiday. I wish Jewish families peace, joy, and a generous destiny. May Hanukkah burn in every home, give strength and fill with new hopes, strengthen faith in the power of truth and justice,” – Zelensky said.

As reported, on December 24, Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Christmas in the new style. The Head of State claims that for the second year in a row, Ukrainians have been celebrating this holiday “on the same date”, meaning December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar, and this factor is unifying for the country.