Drawing by 12-Year-Old Ukrainian Girl to Become Official Christmas Card of Scottish Government Office
A drawing by a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl has become the official Christmas card of the Scottish Government, the British government reports on its website.
The drawing won the competition twice among dozens of other works by Ukrainians who now live in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government Office chose the drawing of a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl, Amelia Marchenko, who took refuge in Edinburgh after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
The girl from Ukraine drew a cherub against a background of Ukrainian and Scottish traditional symbols.
Amelia Marchenko is originally from the Donetsk region and now lives in Edinburgh with her parents, two sisters and brother. The family had to flee Russian aggression in August 2022.
‘As we gather to celebrate this festive season, I am delighted that we are sharing this very special Christmas card featuring the work of the very talented Amelia Marchenko. All of the drawings sent in by Ukrainian children were fantastic, but hers certainly stood out from the crowd,’ said Iain Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland.
According to him, Amelia's drawing reflects ‘not only the joy of the festive season, but also the warmth of Scottish hospitality to those Ukrainians who have made our country their home’.
Source: Scotland Office Minister
This is the first time the Scottish Embassy has held a Christmas card design competition.
The competition for children and young people was organised by the Edinburgh branch of the Association of Ukrainians in the UK. Children aged 5 to 16 were encouraged to combine elements of their Ukrainian heritage and new Scottish home in their drawings.
Amelia also drew an image of Santa's hat and sleigh, which will be used for the official Christmas card of the Scottish Office Minister Kirsty McNeill.
The girl from Ukraine received a letter of congratulations and a certificate from the Secretary of State, and her original artwork will be framed and displayed at the Scottish Office.