Rada: A Belgian Christmas Eve

Rada: A Belgian Christmas Eve is a dramatic play by Alfred Noyes, first published in 1914 during World War I. Set in a Belgian village occupied by German soldiers, it follows Rada, the wife of a village doctor, as she struggles to protect her daughter Bettine from the horrors of war. The play highlights themes of humanity, love, and survival amid chaos, with the character of Nanko, an old schoolmaster, symbolizing innocence. The narrative ultimately suggests that even in dark times, compassion and hope can prevail through the spirit of Christmas.