The festive period may be a distant memory for many but Bolton’s Ukrainian community took part in its Christmas concert last weekend.

The annual event, Ass'n of Ukrainians Christmas Concert, returned to Greater Manchester on Sunday January 22 at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre on Smedley Lane in Cheetham Hill.

They were joined by Ukrainian members of the community and mayors from across Greater Manchester.

At the event, there was lots of dancing and singing with Ukrainian delicacies given out.

The mayor and mayoress of Bolton, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins, and her husband attended as well as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and the mayors of Manchester, Rochdale, Tameside, Stockport and Bury.

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Bolton branch chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, was in attendance and said: “The solidarity shown throughout the 10 boroughs is one of unity to support the guests who have arrived since February 24 and the communities in Greater Manchester where the British public have opened their doors with generosity and kindness.

“The event we hosted is an occasion to show our Ukrainian culture to everybody and all the work is done by volunteers, a collaboration between people in the community to put on a show for the mayors and I know the Bolton mayor really enjoyed it.

Read more: Bolton: Ukrainian refugee calls for urgent Dnipro support

“Mr Burnham addressed the gathered and spoke for all the other mayor, his message echoed the feeling that although it is nearly one year since the invasion, the UK and the citizens of Greater Manchester stand by Ukraine in its fight for freedom and survival.”

Bolton mayor, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, added: “I was delighted to be invited to the Ukraine Christmas event on Sunday.

“It was a pleasure watching the children’s performances and listening to the choir and seeing the display of rich regional and national culture.

“It’s great to support the people of Ukraine.”