Europe's largest Hanukkiah installed in Kiev on Independence Square

Europe’s largest Hanukkiah has been installed on Kiev’s Independence Square on the eve of the Hanukkah holiday. However, even before the first candle was lit, the monumental nine-candle holder had already sparked a wave of heated discussions on social networks regarding the appropriateness of placing such a symbol on the country’s main square.

According to kiev.informator.ua, the installation of Chanukiah has become an annual tradition organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine. The organization stresses that this nine candlestick is a symbol of spiritual fortitude and the victory of light over darkness.

The solemn lighting of the first candle is scheduled for December 14 at 17:00. Candles will be added daily until December 21 inclusive, as the Chanukah holiday lasts eight days, and on the last evening all lights must be lit. Hanukkah is a holiday of light, spiritual fortitude and the triumph of purity over impurity, which is traditionally celebrated with family dinners, gifts and helping those in need.

However, the installation of Hanukkiah in Kiev, as in previous years, did not do without a sharp reaction in social networks. Some users resent the placement of a nine-branched candlestick in a public square, demanding equal treatment of all religions and insisting that it is not strictly religious, but a festive symbol. There are accusations of discrimination, hints of political overtones and even calls to dismantle Hanukkiah.

We shall remind you that last year Kiev citizens already created a petition demanding to dismantle Hanukkiah from Independence Square. The petition said that in hard times for the country, only symbols close to the Ukrainian people should appear on Maidan.

Earlier, the famous Ukrainian folk singer Katya Chilly also condemned the installation of the Hanukkah lamp in the center of Kiev. She called it a «symbol of other nations» and suggested installing a symbol of Ukrainian Christmas instead, comparing the placement to the actions of colonial states installing their symbols on conquered lands. This position was supported by a well-known Kiev politician, businessman and philanthropist Garik Korogodskyy, who also considers it inappropriate to display the holiday attribute of one of the nations living in Ukraine, forgetting about other nationalities.