United Nations Photo

Since December 15th, preparations had been going on in each contingent of the UN Emergency Force (UNEF) in Port Said for a series of Christmas ceremonies. The Danes, Finns, Norwegians and Swedes received Christmas trees from their countries and decorated them; the Colombians built the traditional manger. On Christmas Eve the groups held separate festivities in their respective camps and attended religious services; the Colombians had a midnight mass and an early mass on the 25th. And yesterday, the Scandinavians held, at the football stadium, a special ceremony marking the second day of Christmas.

Colombian soldiers record messages for their families over a tape recorder. These messages will be rebroadcast over the Colombian radio network.