Kharkov's Freedom Square is well known as the place that centrifuged the revolution of 2014 in Kharkov. But, it is also very well known as the center of attraction for the holiday season.
The square celebrates three occasions. Starting well early from the 25th December, to the new year and then the Christmas on 7th January. A long and fun filled holiday spot for the locals and outsiders, alike.
You are immediately welcomed to the square with a giant light gate that almost seems out-worldly. Filling you with the excitement it has waiting for you behind it. It rather felt like the entry into a different realm. Hard not to stand there for a moment just taking in the sheer awesomeness of this gate.
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Right behind this magnificent structure you begin to notice glowing structures that aren't that too often to come across. There is tons of beautiful celebratory music in the background, and the cheers of people echo the entire place.
This absolute unit of a decoration instantly takes you over to a whole another realm of celebration and joy. It captivates your attention by its sheer size and the downward slope of the overhead screen starts taking over your peripheral vision.
It is like a red carpet, but overhead. Clearly, this was one of the biggest attractions of the night. With the music in the background, it quickly became the favorite spot for people to dance, sing and make memories.
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The displays varied from patriotic Ukrainian designs to christmasy visual. Keeping everyone and anyone passing by under a trance of awe.
It was lined with beautiful digital christmas trees in brilliant colors. Almost like a trailer to big movie-like experience waiting ahead.
Oh look, its the kids train guys on their break enjoying the displays. Say hello!
The Ice Rink
The ice rink is a staple to the celebrations in the Freedom Square. There is never a single occasion where the ice rink is not pulled out like an ace in the sleeve.
It clearly is very popular and the people would actually feel betrayed if it didn't show up.
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Right next to the ice rink, is the DIY "indoors" restaurant that somehow always shows up. Everytime. Next to the ice rink. Pretty dope spot. But whoever dines here, is losing out on the real gem....that I am yet to show you.
Oh, did I just tease the real attraction by mistake? That's a good segway to the giant Christmas tree - right in the middle of the freedom square.
The tree
This 40 foot long tree has been long anticipated. It was hyped up for a long time on instagram and what not. And it lived up to the hype.
Although in the recent years we have seen a similar tree, this year was different in a special way. The effort and talent it takes to pull something off of such a magnitude is truly worthy of appreciation.
The beautiful design, the gigantic size and the changing LED colors were truly a sight to remember. It is an experience we get to live through just once every year.
This year they padded the floor of the tree with fake snow and santas. There were also sleds decorated around it and a beautiful polar bear mascot that took pictures with everyone.
From way across at the end of the square, the tree still shined in all its beauty.
Food Stalls
What is a celebration without food stalls, right?
This year, contrary to the expected, food stalls were in much abundance compared to the previous years. Everything from fresh fruits, grilled meat, vegan store to warm wine, there was everything.
Look at how glorious this guy looks covered in smoke coming from the warm wine he is preparing. With the typical soviet styled hat and the vodka bottle kept close to him, he didn't disappoint anyone.
Here is the witch I mentioned earlier. She, very elegantly, mixed up the glintwine while staring right into the souls of passerbys. I think that is glintwine, I didn't dare ask her. I had no intentions of becoming part of the "glintwine".
She also had other items in her stall like honey and sweets.
Glintwine seemed to be the popular drink for the celebrations. It however doesn't end there. There were tons of other stalls including grills, fresh juice, coffee stalls, "ikra" and even snow hat shops
The grills had to be among my favorite stalls. There were so many circular grills that I really wasn't acquainted to. I usually do not buy grilled food, so it was obvious I would be attracted to these intriguing contraptions.
The smell of meat filled the air around the stalls and there is something rather soothing in watching the meat char in a cold winter night.
For some reason, all the grillers have a heavy accent and their tongues run very loose. That was part of the experience, I guess.
The food stalls were an instant hit. After having a fun filled, borderline trance evening, fueling up on overpriced celebratory food really makes the most sense. It comes along with a full bag of contention and joy of the holiday season.
The food area was rather warm with all grilling and glintwines. And who wouldn't love a cozy warm spot in a cold winter night, wrapped in a blanket of flying aromas of the most delicious food.
The seats didn't help. They were ice cold. But felt rather comforting having them around.
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Apart from the fun looking train, there was more for the kids. But lets be honest, everything is for the kids and adults when it comes to holiday celebrations.
I soon realized Kinder had their own spot, maybe due to a sponsorship or buy in. They had some rather eye-catchy displays that not only gathered crowds but were also becoming a photobooth, fast.
Remember the train picture I shared above? Notice the K on it is for Kinder. They also had other entertainment displays to enjoy.
In a nutshell, the freedom square was an explosion of celebration. With absolutely fantastic decorations, amazing food stalls and mind-blowing displays.
It is, indeed, a place that deserves to be celebrated throughout the long holidays Ukraine gets.
In fact, it is very close to impossible to take in all that the Freedom Square has to give in one single night.
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