On 13 December, Romanians and Ukrainians came together at the “Light of Unity” event – a celebration dedicated to Christmas, traditions, emotions, and carols, part of the IMMERSED project, funded by the European Union and implemented by HEKS/EPER Romania Foundation. The event brought participants from both communities together in a warm setting, creating an authentic space for dialogue, mutual learning, and connection.
The event’s name was inspired by the Star of the Magi – a symbol of hope and human connection beyond borders. It is the first in a series of three discussion clubs bringing both communities together, identified within the IMMERSED project as a best practice for integration, validated across all four partner countries: Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and Italy.
Christmas traditions from both Ukraine and Romania enriched the evening with stories, customs, and food. Ukrainian participants shared memories of the 12 dishes prepared on Christmas Eve, children carolling through the streets and receiving round breads, and January 6th was mentioned as a day of fasting. Romanian participants shared their own cherished memories – the smell of cabbage rolls simmering on the stove, and carols echoing throughout the village.
Beyond the warmth and joy of the gathering, the event also had a reflective dimension, inviting participants to reconnect with the deeper essence of the winter holidays and the true meaning of Christmas beyond customs and food.
Through such gatherings, the IMMERSED project aims to support integration through the practice of the Romanian language, cultural exchange, and building lasting community ties. The project’s primary objective is the sustainable professional integration of forcibly displaced Ukrainians, built on a collaborative effort involving institutions, NGOs, academia, and the private sector. In addition to the discussion clubs, the project also provides individual counselling on career development, personal finance, and mental health, as well as skills development for both refugees and the frontline professionals who support them.
Watch the TVR Cluj report filmed at this event: