Hyderabad:One of the city’s most anticipated pre-Christmas events, the United Christmas Celebrations, is set to take place on December 18, marking its 46th year. The organising committee, which met on Friday to finalise preparations and take a group photograph, announced a grand public programme featuring prominent church leaders, bishops, and pastors from various denominations.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma will be the chief guest at the event, which will also be attended by Cardinal Poola Anthony, Methodist Bishop M.A. Daniel, the CSI Bishop of Medak, the Bishop of Shamshabad, Bishop of Good Shepherd, as well as Bishops of the Syrian Christian community and other dignitaries.
The celebrations will be held at the CSI Wesley Degree College grounds in Paradise, Secunderabad, with organisers expecting a gathering of over 4,000 people. A key highlight will be a 250-member UCCC choir, led by choir master Dr P.J.D. Kumar, singing carols in Telugu and Hindi.
Additionally, the Christian music band Tabernacle, led by Zubin Gibson and comprising 50 singers, will present English carols.
A Christmas Carnival featuring carol singing and around 30 stalls will offer an array of Christmas decorations, gifts, novelties, cakes, clothing, and seasonal delicacies. According to general secretary Sleeva Galleli, this year’s event aims to unite all Christian denominations to celebrate Christmas as a community festival, with elaborate arrangements in place for the mega event.
Vice-chairman Robert Suryaprakash noted that winners of the Bible Quiz and Carol Singing Competitions will receive prizes and cash awards during the public programme.
