PEDRO
- Where are you from?
I am Venezuelan born in San Cristóbal, Táchira.
- Where is your family?
My family is from this state, just like me.
- Tell us something about your grandparents?
My grandparents are from Pregonero and La Grita.
- Can you give us a brief description of what you will do for this Christmas?
This Christmas I hope to be at home with my wife preparing Hallas, taking care of each other as much as possible due to all the circumstances, since we are at this critical time.
Our decorations are allusive to Christmas, they consist of souvenirs, ornaments and small details that are related to Christmas. We will place the manger next to the tree.
- Do you think the economy of Venezuela will affect this Christmas?
The economic situation of Venezuela has clearly affected all Venezuelans, as well as the world situation with the pandemic. These situations translate into much lower incomes for the majority of the Venezuelan inhabitants, situations that affect all economic sectors of the country.
- What would you give the children this Christmas?
I would give the children hope, happiness, tranquility, a cure against the virus, and that they be able to be with their parents with gifts and a beautiful Christmas.
- Your favorite Christmas memory?
I have many good memories of Christmas, but there is one in particular that stands out from the rest. In my preschool stage, when I was very young, there was a very large space in the nursery where I was, a place where a helicopter came down and landed, carrying a Santa Claus with a large bag of gifts on his shoulders. A moment that was incredible and that I will never forget.
- What makes you proud to be Venezuelan?
My greatest pride in being Venezuelan is that it is an incredibly beautiful land. It has a diversity of climates, of people, in addition to having a very interesting cultural integration, with a great variety of delicious foods and beautiful women like my wife.
- Which skill have you developed in this quarantine that has made you stronger and that you want the world to know?
Throughout my quarantine I have developed patience, looking to the future, not losing hope, trying to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, but, above all, being grateful with life for what we have.
CÉSAR
- Where are you from?
I am from San Cristóbal Edo. Táchira.
- Where is your family?
My family is also from here. I live with my mother, my sister.
- Tell us something about your grandparents?
I never knew my grandparents.
- Can you give us a brief description of what you will do for this Christmas?
For this Christmas I will be with my family in my home. We will prepare Hallas, ham bread and chicken salad as we do every year.
Every year we put lights and decorations in our home, although this year we have been a bit late, it is only a matter of organizing ourselves to paint and decorate the house so that it is beautiful. We always prepare the little tree, the manger.
- Do you think the economy of Venezuela will affect this Christmas?
That our country is presenting these economic problems if it has affected and will affect Christmas, but no matter what, I will always enjoy with my family the small and beautiful Christmas moments.
- Believe that Covid 19 can affect this Christmas in Venezuela?
I’m not sure if the virus will affect this Christmas, although I suppose it could.
- What would you give the children this Christmas?
I think that the decline in society has led me to think that the best gift we can give the child is a better education, so that the next generations are better prepared with it. A better diet would be another excellent gift and finally, supply all basic needs, since every human being deserves to live in optimal conditions in order to have a happy and healthy life, and, above all, the children of the world.
- What makes you proud to be Venezuelan?
What makes me most proud of being Venezuelan is that our people always tend to have charisms and a good attitude when facing problems and difficult situations.
- What skill have you developed in this quarantine that has made you stronger and that you want the world to know?
In this quarantine I have learned to have more responsibility, to take care of myself and to take care of others.
ARMANDO
- Where are you from?
I am from San Cristóbal Venezuela.
- Where is your family?
My family is divided, a part is in Cordero, Andrés Bello municipality, another in San Cristóbal and the rest, around the world in different countries.
- Tell us something about your grandparents?
Unfortunately, my grandparents passed away years ago, and I am accompanied by a beautiful memory of them. Strangers very much, I love them, but they are no longer present.
- Can you give us a brief description of what you will do for this Christmas?
The first thing I will do for this Christmas is to enjoy it with my family. I think it is the most important thing we should do for this holiday.
Decorations for me are not the priority, so we will only do what is necessary. The most important thing is to spend this time with the family, since many are scattered around the world, we must take advantage of those that we can still meet with and spend moments together to the fullest.
- Do you think the economy of Venezuela will affect this Christmas?
Undoubtedly the situation in the country has notoriously affected Christmas. Over the years these festivities have gradually declined, but I think it is up to each of the Venezuelans to try to rescue that part, and not let an economic situation eliminate the tradition that we have as Venezuelans, as a family.
- Believe that Covid 19 can affect this Christmas in Venezuela?
Yes, Covid will affect this Christmas. In a year where death has become so present, open families that will feel the emptiness left by those people who have left.
- What would you give the children this Christmas?
It would give him hope, since children must be filled with dreams and illusions to think big.
- What makes you proud to be Venezuelan?
See how each of the Venezuelans have struggled to get ahead despite the situations that we have had to experience. Being Venezuelan today is synonymous with struggle, of moving forward and working every day despite how bad our country may be. The Venezuelan will always be happy despite the testing.
- What skill have you developed in this quarantine that has made you stronger and that you want the world to know?
Perseverance. We persevere in a world where unfortunately there are sides, where the sides only care about themselves, thus making it difficult for us to emerge. Persevere in a thousand different ways and try to get ahead. Growing as a person and growing as a citizen, those are things that I cannot change, but I would like to improve and strengthen them.
JUDITH
- Where are you from?
I am from San Cristóbal Venezuela.
- Where is your family?
My family is here with me. I live with my husband and my two children. My sisters live next to me with my nephews.
- Tell us something about your grandparents?
My grandparents were country people. I remember that they lived in the mountains and we always went to visit them to spend some time with them. Everything there was rural, there was no technology. They were beautiful days.
- Can you give us a brief description of what you will do for this Christmas?
Decorating my house, which is my passion. Make Christmas dinner with everyone in the family: Hallacas, “Jamon bread”, chicken salad, Andean drinks, dulce de lechoza, black cake, dancing and celebrating all together despite how difficult the country may be.
- Do you think the economy of Venezuela will affect this Christmas?
The economy in this country has caused many traditions to be lost, especially with so many people leaving the country to seek a better income. However, even if we think it is very sad, there are always reasons to celebrate life and being well wherever we are.
- Believe that Covid 19 can affect this Christmas in Venezuela?
Yes of course. Since the government has taken very restricted prevention measures and makes the freedom of movement less compared to other years.
- What would you give the children this Christmas?
If I had the power to give children, it would be many toys. Since the game allows children to develop their creativity and makes them dreamers.
- What makes you proud to be Venezuelan?
That in the midst of great problems, the Venezuelan always with his joy and his will to live, gets what he wants. We have known how to carry a crisis and solve our problems without depending on a government. We have been warriors in all respects.
- What skill have you developed in this quarantine that has made you stronger and that you want the world to know?
Have patience. Knowing that we must be locked up at home when we were used to freedom was a hard blow for all of us. In my case, I worked as a children’s driver and now I don’t have a job, because school activities were suspended. At first, it was hard and I cried a lot, but we had to reinvent ourselves and so we managed to get ahead.
LUCILA
- Where are you from?
I am a widowed woman born in Boyacá Colombia, but I have been living here for many years in Venezuela.
- Where is your family?
Currently my family is in different places in Venezuela and Latin America; my brothers are in Caracas, one of my sons is in Maracay, another is in Ecuador and one is here in San Cristóbal.
- Tell us something about your grandparents?
I never knew my grandparents, I have few memories of my father, since he died when I was very young and my mother died when she was about 46 years old and I was about 28 years old.
- Can you give us a brief description of what you will do for this Christmas?
For this Christmas I plan to stay home alone like the last four years of my life, my illness does not even allow me to go out to the streets to get my medications, in the same way I will not do any type of decoration, special food or Christmas meeting. I feel like I’m under pressure, after spending so many years of my life working and moving in the city, I was locked in my own house.
- Do you think the economy of Venezuela will affect this Christmas?
I think that the economy has not affected Christmas for Venezuelans or our families. Venezuelans always find a way to enjoy Christmas and do things as best we can. Fighting, persevering and with a lot of effort we can do what we want. An example is fireworks, many said they would disappear because families would not have money, but children still play with them until midnight and until the early hours of the morning.
- Do you think that Covid 19 will affect Christmas?
Covid 19 will not affect Christmas. On these dates, government entities are giving permits and freedoms so that people can leave without any type of restriction, of course, as long as everyone takes the necessary protection measures to avoid spreading the virus. Each person must be aware of the risk to which they are subjected when leaving and in the same way, they must be responsible for the precautions they must take.
- What would you give the children this Christmas?
I would give the children many toys, balls, carts and things with which they can distract themselves and enjoy their childhood.
- Your favorite Christmas memory?
My best Christmases were all those in which my whole family was present, my late husband, my children, my brothers, my grandchildren. Moments where we used to have large gatherings at my house with food, music and parties, but now I’m alone, due to the pandemic, my family is dispersed in different states and countries, all unable to come and to take care of ourselves, we must make the sacrifice of staying like this to avoid dangers.
- What makes you proud to be Venezuelan?
The Venezuelan has many reasons to be proud. Despite my many situations and illnesses, I feel proud to be a Venezuelan. If I were healthy, I would be working and solving my problems as so many people do. Venezuelans, as much as it may not seem like it, we have a lot of affection for each other, it is something that is very beautiful, which is why I am proud to be Venezuelan.
- What skill have you developed in this quarantine that has made you stronger and that you want the world to know?
For me, courage is what I would like to share with everyone in the world. With courage we can overcome problems and difficulties but above all, trust the Father Jehovah. Trusting in him, adversities are solved in an easier way, and thus, we can be happier.
Alex
Where are you from?
Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela: Venezuela land of warriors
Where is your family now?
In several parts of the world: France, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, Brazil Etc
A little about your grandparents:
They were noble human beings. With effort and work, they help bring up their children and grandchildren
A quick description of your plans for Christmas this year:
I am having dinner with my family that is here in Colombia, we will make video calls to our family members in other places. For dinner, we will have the typical Venezuelan dish for Christmas which is Hallacas. Plus Salad and Jamon Bread. My mom, my sister, my nephew, and some Venezuelan friends will be there.
How has the Venezuelan economy changed your Christmas:
At this moment, the Venezuelan economy has not affected me because I moved here to Bogota, Colombia. However, I worry that my family in Venezuela may not have the same circumstances that I have and are not able to have a table of food as we do in Colombia and that is unfortunate
How will the COVID pandemic change your Christmas:
Very much, it is the only Christmas that I have experienced with a pandemic. It is necessary to take all the relevant precautions.
What will the children get for Christmas:
To my nephew, Santa will fulfill his wish for a bicycle that he asked for.
A favorite Christmas memory:
Being in Venezuela with all my family gathered together at a table full of food. The dancing we did there will always be missing
What makes you proud to be a Venezuela:
Everything, the people and their human quality, their colors, the angel fall, my family, my friends, everything. I am lucky to have been born on that earth.
What have you struggled with over the last few years that you would want the world to know about?
I believe that Venezuela is a country that has things that are of more value than oil. I am discouraged with the invisibility that the world gives to Venezuela. The little action of people and even when there is mass migration and the injustices are known. After so many years it just gets worse and no one does anything to change it. Countries need to understand that there are human beings who live in Venezuela that are suffering from need every day. We, Venezuelans, are more than oil.