About Xmas:
 
Christmas is an important family celebration for Latvians. Many Latvians attend church services, decorate Christmas trees and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve - December 24. Christmas Eve is the most important moment! Celebrations continue on Christmas Day and the day after. For many Latvians this time of the year is also associated with pre-Christian traditions and rituals reflected in ancient folk songs and observed in a variety of colourful ways.
 
The winter solstice (December 22) was celebrated when the night was longest and the day shortest, when the intensity of field work was lowest, but people gathered for evening bees to do textile and other handiwork, to spin fairytales and other stories, to guess riddles, sing, and dance. In the Christian tradition Christmas is the birth of God's son, but in traditional Latvian culture it is the rebirth of the Sun maiden.  
During Christmas rooms are decorated with three-dimensional straw or reed ornaments that are vernacularly known as lukturi, puzuri, krigi, putni, and so on. Evergreen branches, junipers, colored rags, wood shavings and other natural materials are also used in the decorations.
The best known Christmas tradition is mumming. In some regions these kekatas are called budeli, kujenieki, preili, kurciemi, cigani, or kaladnieki. The mumming period for Latvians is from Martinmas to Shrovetide, but the most intensive mumming activities occur around Christmas.
The mummers are costumed and in different masks. The most common traditional masks are bears, horses, cranes, wolfs, goats, haystacks, tall women, small men, death, fortune-tellers, and living corpses. Led by a "father", the mummers travel from homestead to homestead or from village to village. The mummers bring a home blessing, encourage fertility, and frighten away any evil spirits.
Another characteristic Christmas tradition is dragging the Yule log. This is explained as the symbolic collecting and burning of last year's problems and misfortunes. The Yule log was either dragged by the people of one farmstead or several neighbors together. This was accompanied by songs, singing games, and various sounding instruments. If people from different farmsteads came together, then it was burned in the last farmstead.
An integral part of Christmas was a generous banquet, whose most characteristic food included a pig's head, which was boiled together with barley mashed with a pestle. This food was called kukis, koca, or kikas. Christmas Eve was sometimes called Kuki evening. Other traditional foods were peas, beans and barley sausage, which because of their round, curved appearance were seen as symbols of the sun or the year.
In our time Latvians bake gingerbread cookies and decorate a firtree with lighted candles. The decoration of the Christmas tree is a tradition that was borrowed from Baltic manor lords several hundred years ago.

Kristine Salme, Riga

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRIA

 

Almost 6 million out of 8 million people in Austria are roman-catholic’s, which is why Christmas traditions and rituals are deeply inspired by Christianity and its tradition. As a country reach of forests and trees, almost no household and market square can be without a Christmas tree, which is often a spruce or fir. The tree is in general decorated on the 24^th of December and stands until the 6^th of January, which marks the public holiday of the “Three Kings”. The tree is either candlelit or with little light bulbs, trimmed with a lot of sweets and Christmas baubles.

 

As Santa Claus and his reindeers don’t come to us, he brings his presents already on the 24^th. On this day usually families get together celebrate by going to church before or after dinner and try to avoid quarrelling during that holy night.

 

There is not such thing like a traditional Christmas meal. Some serve carp, some turkey and some eat cold. In the weeks before this night, people prepare by lighting a candle on the   Advent wreath.

 

During these weeks also many Christmas markets pop up. They are everywhere and one gets the impressions that people mostly enjoy the little huts where hot drinks on the basis of tea, fruit juice and a lot of alcohol are sold. While this is a quite recent phenomena, singing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” on the 24^th has not changed.

Christmas celebrations begin on December 24 and continue to St. Stephen’s day on 27.December. The ‘little Christmas’ is most celebrated from the following days because on this night the Christ was born. This is the best day for the children. Christmas Eve is the first incense evening.

It is believed that as Christmas Eve goes, so goes the life during the following year. Therefore the whole family becomes involved in performing the rituals.

So, it is also Christmas Eve in Bulgaria; by tradition, it may be called "Sukha koleda" (Dry Christmas), "Malka koleda" (Little Christmas) or "Kadena vecher" (Incensed Night). For Orthodox Christians, Christmas comes after 40 days and nights of fasting. The forty-day Advent, started on November 15, finishes on this day. Folk beliefs hold it that the Mother of Jesus began her labours on St. Ignatius’ Day and gave birth to God’s son on Christmas Eve, but that she told of it only on the next day. According to tradition, when bearing her first child, a young mother did not let others know of the birth on the same day; instead people were told about it only on the following day,when guests were invited into the home.

 

The most important role in this night goes to ritual bread, Christmas meals and wassail.
  “Budnik” - this is Oak or Pear tree branch which is brought home by a young man to keep the fire at night. Introducing that tree, the man asks: “are you celebrating the young God?”. The women says: “We praise and glory! Welcome”. The man adds: “I’m home whith me and God”     
  At the end of the tree there is a hole that is filled whit oil, wax and incense.

This end is wrapped in the white linen and stand by the fireplace.

From the rest of the cut tree they make stakes for fencing of fields, to prevent looses.

Ritual breads are three types: true Christmas /kolak, bogovitsa/, industrial /cherkovnik/ and ‘koledarski’ bread.  

Flour for them is to be sown through tree sieves. Kneaded whit fresh water brought by a young bride in a white clothes early in the morning.

 

 

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church recommends 13 different foods on the Christmas-eve meal (salt, pepper and sugar are seen as separate foods). The foods are vegetable and odd in number for luck. Beans are a traditional Christmas Eve dish in Bulgaria, as families gather that evening to a meatless holiday meal. There are always walnuts on the table. Traditionally, wheat is boiled and dishes such as boiled haricot, wine leaves stuffed with rice or grouts, and stewed dried fruit are cooked. Wheat grains and the Ignazhden (Saint Ignatius’ Day) kolaks (ring-shaped cake) are also put on the table. After the festive mass starting at 12:00 am on December 25, all should drink a sip of wine so that the divine blessing should come upon them as fasting ends. At the Christmas Eve table, fortunes are told. To predict what the year is going to be, everyone cracks a walnut.

Once seated, no one can leave the table. If something is needed, it will be taken from the old man who has to walk bended.  Table is not cleared until morning, because it is believed that at night the dead come to eat and to take care for the welfare of the living.

 

Christmas Legends say that if you borrow salt and don't return it, you will have trouble with your eyes. If your ear aches on Christmas this is an indication that an angel has passed by you. You make the sign of the cross three times and whatever you think of will come true.

Only boys participate as major figures in the ritual known as Koleduvane. Its purpose is to wish health, good luck and fertility to the heads of households, to their houses, livestock, land, etc. The koledari, as those participating in the ritual are called, are divided into two age groups. Each group may consist of 10 or more koledari who divide the homes of their village or neighborhood among themselves; to be sure each will be blessed. The preparations include the learning of songs and dances, and the decoration of costumes, which include the kalpaci (fur hats) decorated with bouquets of boxwood and wild geranium, carved wooden staffs, yamurluci (hooded cloaks) which are made to size, sandals, and new fancy leggings. The magnificent embroidery on the white shirts is especially beautiful.

 

Today, Christmas is still a very special family holiday in modern Bulgaria. In the cities, the koledari tradition is not followed as strictly as in the villages. However, city dwellers should not be surprised if kids (survakarcheta) knock on the door after midnight on Christmas to sing a song, wishing happiness, love, health and wealth during the coming year.

 

 

                        CHRISTMAS IN DENMARK

 

               The most important traditions in a nutshell

 

 

A very good thing about Christmas is that you do not get fat from the food and drinks you have between Christmas and New Year!  It’s the period between New Year and Christmas, which is dangerous!

 

But let’s look at the most typical Danish traditions for this time of the year.

 

Advent   is celebrated from the fourth Sunday before Christmas – normally very late November or very early December. Almost every home has an Advent Wreath with four white candles. The first Sunday one candle is lit. The second Sunday two candles are in use. And so on. There are no special festivities related to advent – apart  from the church services, which mark the start of the new church year.

 

December 24 is by far the most important day in the Danish Christmas. The day ofChristmas Eve.  The special Christmas church service is in the afternoon. Almost everybody goes to church on that day – not only the very religious persons. It’s normally the only time each year, when I go to church.  You have to come early, if you want a seat in the church, especially in the small churches in the countryside.  The church service that afternoon is normally very festive and the room nicely decorated. And the priest will make an effort to make a sermon, which will interest everybody there, not least the children.

 

Back home after the church service the kids will watch inciting special Christmas programmes on TV. And the “food engineers” will perform in the kitchen.  Young kids will often get their first presents in the afternoon – to keep them somewhat quiet and a bit “out of the way”!

 

The main living room will have a nice Christmas tree. A green fir tree, which has been bought some days earlier.  In families with children the tree will often be nicely decorated during the afternoon – but without the kids seeing it. The tree will have many white candles, decorations of all sorts and not least a big silver or golden star in the top – symbolising the star over Bethlehem.  The Christmas presents (everybody gets presents on Christmas eve) will be put under the decorated tree. All a very nice sight!

 

Christmas dinner   will be served around 1800.  The main course will be roast pork  with crispy skin. Or duck. Or goose.  All with the traditional sweet and sour red cabbage.

 

This is followed by the very traditional and very rich dessert called riz à l’amande.

And VERY important: the boss in the kitchen has put a wholealmond in the riz à l’amande. The person who then gets that in her or his portion has won a special present – the “almond present”!  Attention: If the family has young kids, the mother often cheats and gives each of them an almond too. If not, hell will break loose!  The drinks for the dinner will either be beer or – more often nowadays – wine.

 

Now the next big moment comes:  Somebody will go to the next room and light all the candles on the Christmas tree.  The door opens – and the kids (and adults alike) will see the impressive tree “in all its might”. With all the presents underneath.

 

No, no – no presents handed out yet!

 

First, everybody has to dance around the tree. In a circle – holding each other’s hands. And singing a number of Christmas hymns and songs.  Starting dancing in one direction and soon turning around and doing it the other way around.  The children can hardly wait for the presents – but they (normally) do. Everybody trying to guess what is in the different nicely wrapped packages.  Not least the big ones!

 

When this is done one of the kids will distribute the presents. One after one. Everybody opens her or his gift right away and kisses “thank you” to the happy “donor”. Next present… With many family members, not least children, this “present operation” can take hours. But normally good fun.  The very small kids are – before they are put to bed – normally more interested in the used wrapping paper than in their gifts. But as long as everybody is happy Christmas is a jolly good one.

 

All along the un-packing of presents all sorts of homemade cookies and differentchocolates are at disposal.

 

It will be very late, before everybody will be in his or her beds. So next morning is a very late morning. Except for the children who wake up early to play with their new toys!

 

And except in my home, where my mother had her birthday on December 25. But this is a different story.

 

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

 

December 2006   

 

e-mail: niels@skynet.be  

 

Website :   www.simplesite.com/kimbrer

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN WALES

 

Holly and mistletoe were the decorations at this time of year and thought to have magical properties.The Druidic ceremonies invariably involved mistletoe and was noted by Roman writers.
 
On Christmas morning a special service was held in Churches as early as 3.a.m called the Plygain when particular carols would be sung in three or four part harmony - a custom which is still practised in some areas.
 
New year's day.

In the morning children would go round and sing songs in return for a few coins. I did this every year between about 7 and 12 and the big prize was twelve new pennies form a Mr Adams.
 
An old custom still practised in some places was called the Mari Llwyd. The Mari Lwyd was a mare's skull with false nose and ears and taken round on a pole by a group of poets  who would knock on the doors and then compete with those inside in strict metre poetic verse.
 

Aneurin Hughes

CHRISTMAS IN BELARUS

Remember in your childhood you dreamt about receiving a present from Santa Claus? Perhaps you still do? Then you should definitely come to Belarus, the country where people celebrate not just one but two Christmases! How is it possible? Today most of the world lives according to the Gregorian calendar. The Orthodox Church, however, still adheres to the old, Julian calendar. This is why all holidays are celebrated with the 13-day delay.

Most of Belarusians are Orthodox Christians, but the share of Roman Catholics and Protestants is also verysignificant. That is why major religiousholidays like Christmas and Easter aremarked as non-working days in theofficial calendar. People are free tochoose which one they want to celebrate.

In Belarus, the ritual of Christmas is therefore closely tied to the folk holiday of  Kaliady, with people not only going to church, but also observing rituals of pagan origin, and both traditions fused into a single fest. In the present Belarusian language the word “Kaliady” describes the whole period of Christmas celebrations. It originates from the Latin word Calendae – the name of the first day of each month in the Ancient Rome. Belarusian Kaliady is a folk holiday, which has its roots in the prechristian time. It is connected to the winter solstice when the day begins to grow longer and the year turns towards the summer. As Christianity became the main religion on Belarusian territories, Kaliady were timed to the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany.

The main idea of Kaliady ritual of the pre-Christian time was to precipitate the spring and ensure the rich harvest through certain rituals. In every family, three Kutsia (sacral suppers) should be served during Kaliady.The first one, Lenten (or Great) Kutsiais celebrated on the evening beforeChristmas. The table is full of Lentendishes – herrings, all kinds of pancakes,fish and mushrooms, oatmealkisel (a dessert made of fruit, berries and potato starch and sometimes served with milk). There is straw beneath  the tablecloth. Each family member picks straws in order to determine who will be the most long-living. The dish served last is Kutsia itself – porridge with honey, poppy seeds, nuts and raisins. The master of the house is the first one to try Kutsia. A spoon of this traditional porridge is always being placed on a separate plate outside  the house for the night. In the ancient times it was the offering to Zuzia, the god of winter.

Kaliadavanne is one of the most characteristic  Christmas traditions in Belarus. Groups of dressed-up people wander  from house to house, singing Kaliady songs – “kaliadki” and “shchadrouki”. The most characteristic personage of this performance is  Kaza  (goat), the person dressed and maskedlike a goat. The master of the housevisited during Kaliadavanne is supposedto treat the group with sausage,snacks, and sweets.

The Rich (also known as Fat, Generous)   Kutsia is served on the New Year’s Eve. During this evening one finds on the table Kustia porridge with butter and fried bacon, as well as various meat dishes. Another Lenten (also called Hungry) Kutsia is served right before Epiphany – that is why it is sometimes called Water Kutsia. Kaliady are also used for telling fortunes, especially by young unmarried women. The fortune telling is done in all kinds of ways. Here are some of them:

On the first day of Kaliady, in the morning or in the evening, a young girl goes to a crossroad, with a piece of a pancake or a bit of Kutsia porridge with her and listens from which direction dogs will be barking. Her future husband should take her away from home in the same direction. Young men and women go outside and hug a fence, reaching with their hands as wide as they can. If the number of the hugged poles is even, that means that they will be in a couple next year. A married woman hides some items – for example a piece of bread, a ring, a brush, a needle, and other small things, and asks her girlfriends to come into the room one after another and find the items. The one who finds bread will have a rich husband; a ring promises a handsome husband; the brush will bring a bad-tempered one; the needle means her future husband would be a tailor.

Of course, with many Belarusians living in large cities, it is becoming quite difficult to observe these rituals. But urbanization is not the only reason why Christmas traditions are not preserved by most Belarusian families.

During the Soviet times all holidays connected with religion were fiercely eradicated. Churchgoing as well as Kaliady rituals were strictly forbidden – especially for the younger generation. Owing to the efforts of Soviet ideologists, Christmas was substituted by the atheist New Year. It is no longer “Svyaty Mikalaj” (Saint Nicolas) who is bringing presents to children, but “Dzed Maroz” (Daddy Frost). Now the traditional Christmas is slowly coming back. People are free to attend Christmas services – and many do so. Those who don’t often watch Christmas services live on TV. Kaliadavanne ritual is also being slowly revived. What is the typical post-Soviet New Year’s ritual in Belarus like?

Picture yourself as member of a typical Belarusian family, living in a two room flat in a panel apartment block in Minsk. On December 31 your father takes a good nap before the exhausting festive night, which, he knows, will involve a lot of eating. The mother doesn’t have this privilege – she is busy cooking: similarly to the traditional Christmas celebration, the New Year’s table should be full. The main “sacred” New Year’s dish is “Olivje” salad – a mix of mayonnaise, potatoes, green peas, pickles, and some other ingredients. Don’t be deceived by the French-sounding name – French people have never heard of such a salad. The children have winter holidays: they eat tangerines and watch New Years’ movies on TV. The evening comes and the table is set. The mother is already tired from all the cooking, the father is rather hungry – he’s been saving his appetite for the New Year’s festive meal. Your TV will not be turned off – it will lead the family through the celebration, providing entertainment, music, and necessary ideological sermons. The traditional assortment of TV entertainment includes: never-ending stand-up comedies, pre-recorded music shows, and re-runs of old Soviet comedy films. The comedy “S Legkim Parom” is an absolute “must” – it is shown on every single New Year Eve. The name can be translated like ‘have a light steam’ – this is a saying which people tell each other after sauna. Filmed in the 70s, the movie is a story of a man, who, having had too much vodka in sauna with his friends, ends up in Leningrad instead Moscow, in a typical Soviet apartment, which he mistakes for his own. The lady living there wants to throw him out, but in the end fells in love with the uninvited guest.

At 11 p.m. New Year comes to Russia (Moscow is in another time zone than Minsk). Russian TV can be received by most Belarusians, and many of them watch Putin’s speech, which precedes the chime of the Kremlin clock. An hour later, shortly before midnight the familiar image of Alyaksandr Lukashenka appears on the screen. This year he will deliver his annual New Year’s address to the nation for the 14th time. Every time Alyaksandr Lukashenka tends to speak long enough to get people anxious about missing long-awaited 12:00 Of course, this never happens since the address is most likely pre-recorded.

When the New Year arrives, people pour in “Soviet Champagne” into their glasses (another relict of the Soviet times) and attack the food. Children run to the New Years’ Tree in order to find their presents. By 1 a.m. everyone is completely full. Nevertheless, many people find strength to go for a walk downtown. Such New Year strolls are especially favoured by Minsk citizens. The main avenue of the city is closed for transportation, allowing huge crowds to wander up and down, drinking beer out of bottles or champagne out of plastic glasses, listening to the Belarusian pop music from the street loudspeakers and waiting for some miracle to happen. They come home late after midnight, exhausted, tipsy, with running noses and shiny eyes. Someone is happy; another one is looking for his/her cell phone that had been lost somewhere on the corner of Lenin street while calling an aunt in a faraway village.

The New Year has begun.

By Ales Kudrytski

 

CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND

 

In Ireland today, Christmas is a time for families coming together and
with the recently acquired wealth, this coming together is a great
excuse for a boom in buying (expensive) consumer goods especially for
children who normally are at the centre of most of the festivities.  We are
very much in the mainstream of Western European customs, taking the
Christmas Tree from Germany, the turkey and plum pudding from
England - although there was a tradition, especially in rural areas, to
have a goose, rather than a turkey.

 

For the main meal on Christmas Day.
Ireland is very much a religious country and even with growing
secularism, Christmas is very much a religious festival, with carol
singing, live cribs, and decorated windows in the main stores. This also
brings out little quirks in our attitude towards religious feast days.

In Britain, the day after Christmas, is known as 'boxing day' a name I
always have some confusion with. Many Irish people also use the term
'boxing day', but over recent it is usual to refer to this day as St
Stephen's Day, which is the proper name listed in the Church Calendar.

Going back to pagan times there is an old tradition, particularly in the
Dingle Peninsula, of hunting the 'wren', whereby a group, mostly young
men, dress up as wren boys in rather garish costumes, featuring straw as
a large element of the dress, gathering on St. Stephen's Day and move
around the community receiving sustenance from the neighbours, which may
be the whole point of the exercise.  The tradition has remained in
Dingle for many decades but within the last 20 years it has spread to
Dublin, to Sandymount, near Donnybrook and Dublin Bay and a large number
of people, young and old, male and female, famous and not so famous,
gather to follow in the hunt for the wren.

 

TERRY STEWART

Dublin

 

"Natal em Portugal" -  Christmas in Portugal 
 

Christmas (Natal) is a very important period of the year in Portugal: in the past for the strong religious symbol it represented and nowadays for the deeply rooted traditions and shared values of Family, Friendship, Peace and Charity.

Christmas Eve (24) and Christmas Day (25) are celebrated with lots of Joy and enthusiasm bringing Families and people together to share gifts and gastronomic delights. 

In the beginning of December children start writing letters to "Pai Natal" (Santa Claus) asking him to bring gifts and sweets to be put in their shoes near the Christmas tree (or the chimney) during the night of 24^th December.  Decoration of the Christmas tree and preparation of the "Presépio" (Nativity) is a magic moment for children (and parents alike).  

In the kitchen the activity goes crescendo from mid-December on to prepare all the traditional dishes and desserts until the 23rd when the "Bacalhau" (codfish) is put into large basins of water to lose its salt, the turkey is stuffed and the last desserts are prepared such as "Rabanadas" (fried slices of bread rolled in sugar and cinnamon); "Toucinho do céu" (a delicious and rich cream prepared with egg yolks, almond powder, sugar and walnuts); "Sonhos" (a kind of pumpkin doughnuts served with a light sugar syrup)… 

On December 24 the whole Family and close friends gather in the evening to celebrate "Natal".The table is covered with the most beautifully embroidered linen white table-cloth. In the most traditional families diner is served quite early in order to allow the group to go to Church to celebrate the "Missa do galo" (midnight mass) and "Nascimento do Menino Jesus" (birth of Little Jesus).

 

The most traditional dish one can find on all tables, poor or rich, is the "Bacalhau cozido" (boiled codfish) served with boiled potatoes, eggs, vegetables and seasoned with olive oil, vinegar and raw garlic. In the Northern Oporto regions it is also very common to eat octopus. 

As a second service, a variety of meat roasts is brought to the table: turkey, lamb or "leitão assado" (suckling piglet) all served with puffed potatoes or rice. 

Then comes the most incredible variety of desserts which recipes differ slightly from region to region but have one thing in common: they are prepared with lots of eggs, sugar, almonds and all sorts of nuts!  

The "Ceia" (Supper) is in the programme for those coming back from the "Midnight mass": a hot "Canja" (chicken or turkey soup) or in the Northern regions "Caldo Verde" (a soup prepared with green cabbage) is served. 

Then the most magic moment - specially for the Children – arrives: the opening of the gifts by order of age: the younger first !In some families, probably the most disciplined,  kids go to bed and only open their gifts the next morning meaning that in some places anxiety is at it's maximum until very early on 25 December. 

That day is usually passed with siblings or with other people who could not be present during the Christmas Eve. The atmosphere is in general warm and  relaxed: some delicious special preparations are made with the left overs: just to mention "Roupa velha" (kind of stew prepared with onions and garlic fried in olive oil, mixed with the rest of cod fish, octopus, potatoes, vegetables, olives, hard boiled eggs and fresh herbs such as coriander and parsley). 

Until the dawn … 

The New Year's Eve is also a moment of celebration and partying: the most courageous run the "São Silvestre's" night race or plunge into the sea (average: 15 ° C) on the first day of the New Year. The rest - to which I belong - dance, drink and eat all night long … until Sunrise. 

The Season's Celebrations come to an end on "Dia dos Reis": on 6^th January where a special cake is prepared with dried and crystallised fruit. A "fava" (kidney bean) is hidden in the middle of the pastry and the one who gets it in his or her slice wins the King or the Queen's crown!  The Year may begin under the best auspices. 
 

Ana Paula Figueiredo-Laissy  

 

Christmas in the Netherlands

Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated on 25 December in the Netherlands. That is probably one of the reasons why in my country 26 December is an official holiday. I am from a catholic background, so we used to go to church at midnight for a special Christmas mass. On the morning of 25 December we had Christmas breakfast. The table was nicely dressed with all kinds of Christmas decoration and at that occasion special food was served: sausage bread, weihnachtstoll, tangerines. I remember my father always put a little envelope with some money under our plates, and although this was always the case, every Christmas we acted as if we were surprised to find this money. Apart from that we got no presents at Christmas. In my country people exchange gifts on 6 December at the occasion of Saint Nicolas. In the evening we used to have a big dinner with nice food and, of course, turkey meat.

My mother used to dress a Christmas tree and underneath was the cradle with the little Jesus surrounded by his parents, the donkey, shepherds, lots of sheep, and, as from 6 January, the three wise men.

On the tree she hung lots of special Christmas candies and we loved them, of course.

I remember however that Christmas day always seemed very long to me. I was told this was an occasion to be with your family, so we could not go and play with friends. So my father took all society games out of the cupboard and we all played and often got into a row because someone was cheating. I must admit that this was not one of my favourite occasions, because in fact I felt trapped at home. Nowadays I celebrate Christmas on 24 December here in Brussels, and, as you will have understood, I still have the possibility to celebrate Christmas with my family in the Netherlands…. On 25 December! 

Nora David-Hagemeijer 

 

Noël en France

Etant d’origine catholique, Noël pour moi en France se déroulait dans mon enfance de manière très traditionnelle, partagé entre la messe de minuit, le repas de fête et les cadeaux à découvrir le 25 au matin. Avec le temps la messe de minuit est un exercice de moins en moins pratiqué, en dépit des efforts de l’église pour la faire à 17 heures, à 20 heures, voire même le 25 vers 10 heures. Ceci laisse ainsi plus de place à la déviance consumériste. Le repas traditionnel était souvent composé de fruits de mer, saumon, dinde aux marrons, fromage, gâteau Plus récemment la dinde semble céder le pas au chapon. Autre évolution notable : de plus en plus  de gens fêtent Noël sans savoir de quelle fête il  s’agit. Ayant vécu des décennies en Afrique, j’ai pu constater que  la fête de Noël s’est universalisé et que de nombreux amis musulmans africains fêtent Noël avec entrain sans avoir la moindre idée de la référence religieuse qui s’y attache. Ceci nous permettait en contrepartie de fêter le Ramadan avec eux. Dans la tradition, après le dîner, les parents sous la surveillance attentive des enfants qui les espionnaient, se cachaient pour  disposer les cadeaux dans la cheminée ou au pied de l’arbre de noël. Au petit matin, lorsque  les enfants se réveillaient, même les plus incrédules s’esclaffaient : merci Papa Noël !

Dominique David

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN GREECE

 

Christmas is considered to be the second most important religious event – after Easter.

 

Many kids will go around to the houses singing Christmascarols(called "kallanda") and getting paid a little bit of money and sweets. I used to do it a lot with my brother, when I was little.

 

Two popular sweets around the Christmas period are "melomakarona" and "kourabiedhes". They are made of honey, flour, nuts, and cinnamon.

 

In the old days people used to decorate a wooden ship, instead of a Christmas tree. Nowadays, due to Western influence, we usually decorate a Christmas tree.

 

The Greek Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve with the breaking of the "Christopsomo". This is a loaf of bread. Each person in the family gets a slice, drizzled with honey.

 

On Christmas Day we usually have stuffed turkey with various vegetables.

 

In terms of drinks, there are no special drinks for Christmas. People drink whatever they drink the rest

of the year.

 

Nikos Ntoumanis

 

 

December 2006 

CHRISTMAS   IN  POLAND

 

Christmas in Poland is known by the name Gwiazdka or little star. Consequently, starlets predominate over all other decorations used during the season. In the oldest tradition the stars were made of straw or goose feather glued together with candle wax.

The Christmas tree choinka , usually a spruce, is seldom decorated before Christmas Eve, which is the biggest event of Christmas activities. The tree is decorated with: stars, painted egg shells, nuts, candies, and painted cookies. The egg symbolized the miracle of birth, star is a symbol of light.

The most solemn moments of Polish Christmas season comes during the celebration of the Wigilia (the family oriented Christmas Eve with the traditional supper). When the first star appears at the sky, the whole family gets together. First the head of the house takes the holy bread or oplatek , pronounces the words of love and sharing, and then breaks and distributes the wafer to all participants.

People in Poland are famous for their warm-hearted hospitality. A good example of their hospitality could be having an extra set of plates and silverware for a stranger. If that person is alone, she/he will be warmly welcome to have a supper with a Polish family.

The table is covered with a beautifully embroidered, white table-cloth. Under the table-cloth, there is a bunch of hay as a symbol of Christ's manger. Usually, there are 12 dishes with accordance of number of Christ's disciples. The dishes are meatless. The typical Christmas Eve supper include: any kind of cooked or fried fish (mostly carp), marinated herring, barszcz -- soup wild mushroom, sauerkraut, noodles, and lots of pierogi -- dumplings that are stuffed with mushrooms, cabbage or some fruits. For desert: kutia -- macaroni baked with poppy seeds, makowiec -- baked poppy seed role, and cooked dry fruits.

Crèche szopka scenes and nativity plays, part of Roman Catholic tradition, are the integral part of Christmas activities. The most elaborate and most highly developed crèche are in the ethnic museum in Krakow.

http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/polxmas.html

1) Polish Christmas Foods & the Wigilia Meal

The Wigilia table is set with a white tablecloth under which is placed hay (polskie Sianko). The hay and cloth represent the manger and the veil of Mary which would swaddle the infant Jesus.

In the center of the table is placed the Oplatek or wafer, often in a bed of hay, sometimes also with a representation of the Baby Jesus. The candles are lit after the youngest child has spotted the first evening star.

Tradition also dictates that an empty place be set for an unexpected guest; in memory of ancestors (for their spirit to occupy). This is in keeping with the core Polish adage, "Gosc w dom, Bóg w dom." ["Guest in the home is God in the home."]

The Wigilia Meal is traditionally a meatless meal as it completes the fast which awaits the birth of God. The waiting or vigil (Wigilia) culminates in the sharing of the Oplatek and the Wigilia Meal. It requires special traditional table setting and a festive menu of traditional dishes. The dinner is generally followed by singing of Polish Koledy (Carols) and culminates in the Eucharistic Meal at the Pasterka (Midnight or Shepherd's Mass.)

The meal consists of a wide variety of special holiday dishes, all meatless. Customs vary throughout Poland; some families present twelve dishes for the twelve Apostles. Most serve an odd number of courses: 7, 9, or 11. The Wigilia dishes are prepared according to beloved family recipes. The foods are to represent the four corners of the earth: the mushrooms from the forest, grain from the fields, fruit from the orchards, fish from the lakes & sea.

The meal always begins with a special soup, such as a Barszcz wigilijny z uszkami (Christmas Borscht with mushroom uszka dumplings), followed by many elegant fish preparations, vegetables, and the beloved Polish pierogi. Typical dishes include carp in aspic, herring (Sledze), breaded whitefish, meatless cabbage rolls (Golabki), noodles with poppy seed, kluski noodles with cabbage and Polish mushrooms.

A list of tempting special desserts is also required, the favorites being nuts & fruits, Kompot (fruit compote), Makowiec (poppy seed roll), pierniki (honey spice cakes), and Mazurka.

A Wigilia Dessert including nuts, chocolates, tangerines, pierniki, torte, Makowiec, cordials & cognac, and coffee.

See also: http://www.polstore.com/html/christmasrecipes.html

2) Christmas Wafer

The Polish family breaks the Oplatek (Wafer) (Oh-pwah-tek) on Christmas Eve (Wigilia) as their ancestors before them have done.

The sacred white wafers, much like those used for Holy Communion, are shared with each person present. During the exchange, good wishes are expressed. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family.  Those who are no longer alive are particularly remembered at this moment.  The pink wafer is shared with the animals who, according to Polish tradition, because they were first to greet the Baby Jesus speak at midnight.

3) Polish Carols

Poland boasts a long and exquisite tradition of carols and pastorals (Koledy i Pastoralki) which are the heart of Polish Christmas. These ancient and most beautiful songs are sung in families and in church throughout the holiday season. Wonderful recordings are available--give them a listen and find the spiritual wealth of Polish Christmas. 

4)  Pasterka * The Midnight Mass

Poles call the Midnight Mass the Shepherd's Mass or Pasterka. Traditionally, the family's Wigilia celebration culminates when all go together to Mass. The Midnight Mass is usually preceded by communal singing of the beloved Polish Koledy. The Mass itself is a joyous and majestic liturgical event, because Bog Sie Rodzi--God is Born, as the great Polish Carol says. It is also traditional for families to visit the Crèche to pray together to the Infant Jesus. This is particularly emphasized in families with young children. Following Mass, many families return home for a snack and more celebration.

5) Krakowian Creches

The SZOPKA (shop-kah)  is the Krakowian Creche.  These elaborate creations of tin paper are entered into competition each year on the square of Mariacki (St. Mary's Cathedral) in Krakow.  The largest collection of past exhibits can be found in the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow in the Kazimierz district.

http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/polxmass.html

Beata Ofianewska       December 2006

CHRISTMAS IN ITALY

 

• Have a Christmas tree (usually plenty of tacky colourful lights and Santas and angels …not as simple and nice as the Christmas tree of Denmark!)

 

• Set up the nativity - usually under the tree - where baby Jesus will be added only on the night of the 24th after attending Mass ! This is, of course, for the true believers….

 

• Go to Mass on the 24th evening (hoping there will be a coir singing in tune!)

 

• Usually we do not eat that much on Christmas Eve (strangely enough..) but we will definitively have some panettone (typical Italian tall cake/brioche full of pieces of dried fruit) with some Prosecco / Italian Champagne.

 

• On the 25th the traditional starting course in Lombardia (region where I come from) is to have " cappelletti in brodo " (small filled tortellini , usually hand made if you have still a grandma that can cook, served in chicken stock). And then, of course, plenty more courses will follow!

 

• Presents are opened either on the 24th evening or 25th morning.

      Sonia Carnelli

Christmas in Hungary

 

 

The list of the Hungarian folk activities starts with the so-called „ Luca - day ”. As of  common belief, on the 13th of December St. Luca transforms into a witch. In order to keep the vile witches at bay, people put garlic into their keyholes and they also put a knife into the doorframe. Sometimes people painted a cross on their door using garlic. People weren’t allowed to borrow things from each other because the borrowed things could turn into the property of the witches. On Luca’s day young girls were told who their husband will be. Young boys went around the village to visit other houses; they wished good luck to other people and they got presents and gifts in return. If they received nothing, they put a curse on the house.

. 

 

„Advent” starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas: each Sunday a candle is burnt on the girdle of Advent. Advent lasts until the 24th of December.

 

The supper on Christmas Eve always includes fish and a Hungarian speciality called „beigli” which is a kind of a cake filled with nuts or poppy seeds. There is always an apple which symbolizes the integrity of the family.

 

 

 

On Christmas Day people go out for the so-called „ betleheming ” activity. This game was originally played in churches, but lately children perform it at private houses. The actors – pastors, angels, Maria, Joseph – still play the story of the birth of Christ according to the Bible; after they give their presents and good wishes to the people of the house. After that, the people of the house present a feast for the guests’ honour.

 

 

Livia Losonczi

           
         

CHRISTMAS IN LUXEMBOURG

 

 

During the month of December there are a lot of festivities in Luxembourg.

 

First, St. Nicolas Day (6 December), a traditional day when children receive their gifts (rather than Christmas). Even one or two weeks before especially the little ones put their shoes near the door and in the morning, when waking up, they find sweets, candies, chocolate or fruits in their shoes. 

 

During the month before St. Nicolas Day bakers sell sweet cakes that take the form of man, called 'Kuchemännchen' in Luxembourgish, very much appreciated by children and adults. The Sunday before, local associations organize festivities; a man dressed like a bishop distributes sweets and chocolate to 'nice' children; 'bad' guys receive a birch from his bogeyman.

 

Big municipalities are illuminated during the month of December, some organize Christmas markets. Many families buy a wreath with four candles, each representing one of the four Sundays before Christmas. The first week they light one, the second one two and so on.

 

Luxembourg being a catholic country, a lot of people go the midnight mass and meet with friends thereafter.

 

Christmas is the day devoted to family, parents inviting their children and grandchildren or vice versa and exchanging gifts.

 

Decades ago farmers slaughtered their pigs in December and prepared i.e. blood sausage ('Träipen' in Luxembourgish), still appreciated during the cold winter months. Christmas dinner is now more elaborated, has become more international, with three or four menus, varieties of fish, especially trout and salmon, knuckle of ham, roast beef enveloped with pastry, nowadays also turkey, a series of deserts, chocolate mousse or cake, yule log (bûche de Noel) with special decoration, ice cream. All accompanied with fresh Luxembourg champagne and white wine (Riesling, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris) or red wine, especially from France or Italy.

 

The festivities end with Epiphany. Families buy a special cake that contains one bean. The one who gets it is crowned as king in remembrance of the Magi.

 

Fons Theis

Luxembourg
     

CHRISTMAS IN SLOVENIA – ONCES AND TODAY

 

 

Christmas holiday is accompanied by many beautiful things at home and in churches, all of which, each in their special way, announce the one important message. Slovenes perceive Christmas in a very gentle way, which is felt in the ancient Slovenian Christmas carol There Is a Stable ("Tam stoji pa hlevcek"), which has the following words: "Lets quietly join and cordially honour our dear Saviour." The roots of the Slovenian word božic for Christmas stem from the pre-Christian era, when the word signified "a small god" called Svarog, who was believed to bring a new year every year in winter time, and whose name means bright and clear.

 

There are many customs, traditions, events and superstitions connected with christmas in Slovenia, which are still maintained to this day and are especially diverse, which is due to its position at the crossroads, connecting the Alpine, Mediterranean and Pannonian worlds.

 

Many customs connected to Christmas are part of the common European cultural heritage. But despite the sometimes heavy burden of history, the ancient pagan heritage has remained a presence in Slovenia. The Advent period is also associated with the placing of creches around houses, churches and sometimes even in public places. The first documented creche in Slovenia was created by the Jesuits in Ljubljana in 1644, although it was not preserved to this day. The creche was traditionally placed in the nicest or best-lit space, regarded as the Lord's corner. In the ensuing periods, the creche was also popular on the chest of drawers in place of the statue of the Virgin Mary. The most common was the paper creche, bought or homemade, placed on a napkin.

 

The Christmas customs in Slovenia h ave been the subject of ethnological research by Slovenian ethnologists for many decades. Research tells us that some of the Christmas customs originate from ancient customs performed at the winter solstice. One of these, which is only rarely followed now, is called the "Christmas hive". Slovenian farmers believed that their homes were going to be blessed with happiness all year round, if there was a large wooden stump burning in the centre of the fireplace on Christmas Eve. The other important Christmas symbol is the Christmas tree which first appeared among the Slovenian bourgeoisie after the year 1900.

 

One custom that used to be very popular in the run-up to Christmas, but is almost forgotten today, is Koledovanje. The Koledniki used to be groups of men, going from household to household, singing carols to families, wishing luck and happy holidays, for which they were presented gifts. Legend has it that the Koledniki brought joy and a good harvest into the households visited. Historical records of the start of this custom are traced as early as the 13th century and are still common today.

 

There is another custom traditional for Christmas Eve - predicting the future, from the shape of the burning flame, to the shapes formed by the melted wax in cold water. The fathers used to ask what the harvest would be like the following year, and whether the livestock would remain healthy. The young, unmarried girls were interested mainly in whether they would become brides or not.

 

The time around Christmas is a time for the festive menu which also today includes the most typical dishes from pork, sausages and other national specialities, with the exclusively Slovenian potica, a traditional Slovenian holiday cake made of thin layers of dough with ritual fruit breads , nut and cinnamon croissants and pear cooked in wine.   

 

In the past the Slovenes practiced an incredibly wide variety of customs, beliefs and superstitions, today, Christmas time is meant, above all, for giving gifts, and it has become quite a commercial holiday in this country too.

 

 

Matjaz Kek

 

Ljubljana

CHRISTMAS IN SLOVAKIA

 

ST NICHOLAS (6/12)

 

When I was a little boy in my home town Bratislava, I can remember the beginning

of the Christmas season by the appearance of fruits that we haven't seen for

most of the year in the produce stores. There were bananas, mandarin oranges,

peanuts and sometimes even coconuts. We all knew that even in the poorest

families, some of the fruits and nuts would appear as the gift from St.

Nicholas.

 

St. Nicholas ( Mikulas ) is still celebrated on December 6. Sometimes

you would get a visit by St. Nicholas, Devil and an Angel. You had to promise

that you will be good for the whole year and the reward was candies,

chocolates, nuts and fruits - a real treat for all. Sometimes you were asked to

put your shoes and boots on the window still before you went to bed and if you

were good, you would find the gifts from St. Nicholas in the morning and if you

were bad, your shoes or boots were filled with real coal.

 

 

CHRISTMAS

 

"Good evening, I wish happiness and peace to this house. To you, your wife, your

children and the whole family." This was the wish that would open the doors of

the homes since ancient times, days before Christmas. Strict tradition of

reconciliation was preserved with the arrival of Christmas season. They would

return all borrowed items, they would make up for past differences, between the

neighbours and family. "Forgive me Godfather, forgive me neighbour, because

Christmas is coming."

 

Only then the man and his family could sit at the Christmas Eve table. Only then

the floor under the table could be painted with clean white limestone. The legs

of the table were tied by iron chain as a symbol of family ties and

togetherness. The Christmas dinner started with the appearance of the first

star. On the table they would put a bread and all the gifts that they prepared

throughout the year. Every product grown at the farm was represented at the

Christmas Eve dinner.

 

The mother would light up the candles and with soft and clean voice, clean as

the white table cloth on the Christmas table, would start singing the first

Christmas carol. The rest of the family would join her in singing. "Now we can

eat," the father would say, "because soon the carollers and well wishers will

arrive. "Then they would say a prayer. Mother would make a cross with honey on

the forehead of each member of the family as a protection against evil. All of

them would dip a special Christmas Eve waffle in honey and eat it together with

garlic. Honey, to be good and healthy as the bees are, and the garlic to scare

the bad evils of sickness.

 

The father would slice an apple according to the

number of people at the table. The person whose seed was cut was to die in the

year. Next were " bobalky ," and I don't know the English word for it. They were

made from bread dough baked in oven in small pieces, cut up from dough roll.

Before serving a mixture of hot water with sugar and ground poppy seeds was

poured over and then served. This was followed by the Christmas sauerkraut soup

and breaded fish with potato salad of just potatoes. The fish symbolized the

last supper. At the same time fish scales, put under each plate for the

Christmas Eve dinner symbolized wealth and abundance. Hriatuo was never missing

at the table together with some good home brewed plum brandy-slivovica .

 

After dinner close relatives and neighbours used to call on each other and " kolednici

and vinsovnici ," (carollers and well wishers) would start to arrive. All the

carollers and well-wishers were always rewarded by pastries, food, bacon or some

drink to keep them warm.

 

Later they all went to Midnight Mass , preceded by some

most beautiful Christmas carols. There are many Christmas carols that are

specifically of Slovak origin and they are very colourful. They were sung in the

church, the family circle or in different processions below windows, at the time

of Nativity plays, processions with the cradle, the snake, and the star, the

Three Wise Kings, procession from house to house, and so on.

 

 

 

Vladimir Grieger

Brussels

CHRISTMAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

 

 

General:

 

For Czechs like for other Europeans, Christmas is really important period. Not that much for religious reasons, however. As you may know, during the Communism period, the religion was strictly prohibited and made out of the Czech Republic the most atheistic country in Europe. Some parts of Moravia (especially south and north) are the exceptions – the religious tradition remained there. With the democracy having settled in the country, the recovered tradition is spreading out in all over the Czech Republic and many churches are now open for singing Christmas carols in, many charities put their moneyboxes to collect some money mostly for children.

 

Christmas is a family holiday, where no one should stay alone at home. If someone lives alone, he or she is usually invited by family or friends to come over and join for the dinner.

 

The gastronomic part of Christmas is also very important – we the Czechs like eating and drinking and it counts double for Christmas period.  Large majority of people, adults or kids, sit in front of TV and watch the marathon of fairy tales. As you probably do not know, Czech Republic has a rich cinematographic past-present-and hopefully future, and there are a lot of great played fairy tale stories. And during the Christmas week, TV does not show anything else, it is actually very popular.

 

Specific habits

 

Christmas Day

In Czech Republic, the Christmas Day is 24^th December and the most important moment is the evening. After the Christmas dinner (see below for details), a "baby-Jesus", Ježíšek in Czech, goes around and distributes presents. He cannot be seen by anybody. This is the reason one cannot say how he looks like and you do not really find him on any drawings, paintings etc., unlike the Belgian Père Noël for instance, who looks pretty much like Santa Claus.

 

Just before the Christmas, all households tend to tidy the flat (as many families live in a flat instead of a house), make the cookies and decorate the place – usually bowls of apples and nuts are set around the house and Nativity scenes are arranged.  Once gathered around Christmas tree (usually somebody from the family rings the small bell, which is supposed to be the noise of baby-Jesus leaving the room), the presents are distributed by the youngest member of family.

 

After this is done, many Czechs go, even those who are not believers, to the Midnight Celebration in church.

 

Christmas dinner and other food

The dinner is held on 24^th December in the in late afternoon early evening, according to a custom with the first coming out star. The Christmas dinner looks pretty much the same all over the households. A fried carp with potato salad. Potato salad consists of chopped boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, onions, salami, gherkins and mayonnaise. Some people who do not like carp replace it with other fish or simply with a very popular pork, having thus a "Wiener Schnitzel" for Christmas dinner.

 

All over the Christmas times, Czechs eat a lot of special home made sweets. There are hundreds of sorts of Christmas sweets, they are very good and sometimes one regrets that the Christmas times is the only period in the year when you can have them. But here, the tradition is usually respected, Christmas sweets are for Christmas and not for any other occasion.

 

Traditional habits (their practice depends on people)

Mistletoe – people usually hang few branches of mistletoe, either a natural one or the one coloured on gold, somewhere in the apartment. On the Christmas Day, people kiss one each other below mistletoe, which is supposed to give them luck, joy and health in the next year.

 

Cutting apple in two pieces:  Take a nice apple and cut it in the middle horizontally into pieces. What you will see on both halves is a shape of a star. If the star will have five or more hands everyone will meet at the dinner table next year in health, if the star looks like a cross someone may day or be ill. Also the start should be clean, i.e. without traces of worms etc. The best deal for this habit is to choose a really nice apple.

 

Little boats made out of a nut shell: Take a half of a nut shell and put a very small candle into it. They you put it on a plate/basin filled up with water, making thus of it a small boat. If it goes further from the edge, it means that you will travel a lot in your life. If it remains next to the edge, it means that you will rather remain where your roots are. If it sinks immediately, it means that you will die prematurely, which is the reason why some people do not like practicing this habit that much. I tried once to show it to my Belgian family-in-law. All of candies sank immediately, that is why I got only a lot of laugh from their side and my boats got a nickname "Kursk".

 

Throwing a shoe: To find out what is going to happen to the unmarried girl in the house, she is supposed to stand and throw a shoe behind her to the door. If the shoe turned with the heel to the doorstep the girl will stay at home, if the other way the girl will get married and leave.

 

Scales: Some scales from the fish that is served as a main dish on Christmas day should be put under the table. It means luck and everybody should have enough money all year round.

 

Golden pig: On Christmas day, 24th December, is no eating day until dinner. Small children are told that if they manage to do that they will see a Gold Pig. I tried and I must say that it was a difficult task and moreover, I never saw a Gold Pig.

 

 

Dana Kovarikova

 

Brussels

CHRISTMAS IN FLANDERS

 

No special traditions in Flanders, apart from the following.

The whole family gathers for a family-dinner (not necessarily turkey on the menu). Afterwards they all go to the midnight mass together. When this is over, everybody is invited for glühwein around an open fire near the church.

We, of course, have the Christmas tree with the nativity, where the Jesus Christ is missing until 24/12 mid-night.  Then the youngest child of the family can put it in the cradle.

In old days, cakes or sugar waffles were baked and distributed to family and neighbours.

Of course, there were also presents for kids under the Christmas tree.

In the afternoon of the 24th, children go from door to door and sing Christmas songs to collect money for charity (in the old days - now it's mainly for their own profits).

In nearly all churches, there are Christmas concerts by the local choirs.

That's it. 

 

Myriam Eeckhout

Brussels

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN SCOTLAND

 

Christmas in Scotland - I hate to say - that not so much

goes on.  It’s a frenzy of shopping followed by  queues to take things back

to shops on the 26th of December.  The only tradition here perhaps is the

fact that Santa comes in the night and leaves presents under the tree for

everybody

 

After the parcels are opened Christmas lunch is prepared and normally is

eaten after the Queen’s speech at 3pm.

 

New Year is the big time here - mostly spent " before the bells " with the

Family.  Just before midnight a male member of the family is put outside the

door until the New Year bells ring.  Then they ring on the doorbell and "bring

in the new year".  This involves whisky as the water of life; salt to

preserve life and coal to keep the household warm.  Often just a box of

chocolates or shortbread is used

 

After wishing everyone a happy New Year the serious party begins and in

Scotland is required that the holiday continues until the 3rd of January.

 

It’s the only time you take your own bottle out with you - you offer a drink

from your bottle and via versa   - hence the public holiday for 3 days!

 

Annie Vandebon

Glasgow / Brussels

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN

Important Date :

				
						
								24 DEC CHRISTMAS EVE
						
				
				 (almost even more important than Christmas Day):
		

				- Celebrations: big family dinner at home and (in the past) midnight mass at the
		

				church - called "Misa de Gallo" (Cock's Mass)
		

				- Also before dinner, it is customary, especially for the young, to meet friends
		

				and members of the family for an "aperitivo" (cava, white wine, perhaps some tapas or oysters, etc.) in the local bars or restaurants.
		

				- Food: for dinner: flexible pattern. The rule is good food: turkey is possible, but also game, seafood and in the old days "besugo" (sea bream) was traditional. In the Basque country seafood (lobster, oysters) and especially "angulas": baby eels are traditional. 
		

				- For dessert all over the Christmas period "turrón" and "peladillas": sweets
		

				(probably from Moroccan/Mediterranean origin) based on almond, honey, sugar,
		

				nuts, etc. The centre for turrón making is in Xixona, in the Alicante province.
		

				There are several varieties, hard, soft, with egg yalk and sugar, with
		

				chocolate. But the really traditional turrón is the hard one made of honey and
		

				almonds.
		

				During all Christmas period homes are decorated both with Christmas trees and a "Nacimiento" - "Crèche de Noël” - and the Nacimientos some time reach very artistic standards, with very pretty figures made out of terracota. 
		

				There is also a sort of Nacimientos competition in the public buildings,
		

				churches, etc. Especially in the South of Spain. 
		

				25 DEC - CHRISTMAS DAY
		

				- Celebrations mass for the catholic practitioners and their families. Lunch towards
		

				14.30/15.00
		

				- Food: game is customary and also seafood, foie gras, etc. 
		

				- Presents for and from all members of the family (this is increasingly being
		

				done, but quite recently, since in the old days the 6 of January was the
		

				present's day)
		

				- Before Christmas Day most people buy lottery tickets and offer them also to
		

				friends, colleagues, etc. and there is a big "Rifa" on the 22nd December:
		

				"Lotería de Navidad" (Christmas Lottery). The same is done afterwards for the 2nd of January: "Lotería del niño" (Child's lottery): because of the date of birth of Jesus)
		

				
						
								31 DEC - New Years Eve
						
				
				: "Nochevieja" (Old Night) - the last night of the year 
		

				- Huge Celebrations: often "Aperitivo" outdoors and afterwards Big Dinner,
		

				usually at home, but it can be extended with friends and also take place at a
		

				restaurant. Afterwards long night dancing party called "Cotillón" until very
		

				late hours (depending on the age, but older people also go to bed very
		

				late)
		

				
						
								At midnight
						
				
				 every body raise their glass and eats very quickly 12 grapes at the
		

				same speed than the 12 gongs of the clock. The central meeting point is the
		

				Clock at the Plaza del Sol in Madrid, and this is broadcast by TV, so people
		

				can follow the twelve "gongs" live while eating their grapes at home or at a
		

				restaurant. It is also customary to have paper bags with hats, fun glasses and
		

				noses, serpentines, confettis, etc, that everybody throws at each other as a
		

				sign of the beginning of the party! After the grapes everybody will kiss everybody
		

				and wish them a very happy New Year.
		

				
						
								1st JANUARY 
						
				
		

				Although normally everybody is exhausted, traditionally there is a mass and an
		

				important family lunch. 
		

				- FOOD: same than before
		

				
						
								6 JANUARY: Epiphany day
						
				
				. 
		

				- Very important day for kids. They have presents brought by the Maggi Kings:
		

				Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar,  emulating the presents brought to child Jesus. 
		

				They also leave near the "Nacimiento" sweet coal from "Orient" and something to
		

				eat for the camels.
		

				- Food: at breakfast time, the moment of opening  the presents, and also for
		

				dessert,  it is customary to eat a kind of big round dough flavoured with
		

				"azahar" (orange flower) called "Roscón de Reyes" (Kings Ring). It contains
		

				hidden inside a broad bean or a little toy and the one who finds it in its
		

				portion is the lucky one, but also has to buy the Roscón next time!
		

SPORTS AND TRAVEL

				As everywhere else in Europe, a lot of  people tend to go skiing, especially
		

				during New Years Eve period, or to a warm place for a holiday. In this case the
		

				New Year’s celebrations are still kept as much as possible (we always make
		

				sure we eat the 12 grapes, for instance)
		

				
						
								Marta Mugica
						
				
		

				
						
								Brussels
						
				
		

CHRISTMAS  IN  FINLAND

 

Christmas in Finland today is normally nothing special. But before it was different. The biggest difference – especially in comparison with Sweden – is that we Finns roast the ham. We don’t boil it.

 

I do it in the following way myself:

 

1.       I order a ham of a pig, which has only been eating grain. I order it for delivery 3 weeks and 2 days before Christmas Eve

2.       The pig has to be slaughtered very recently and the meat may never have been frozen

3.       I cook a brine of pure sea salt – no iodine or other chemicals - ca. 3 kg, natrium- or monosodium glutamate the Chinese call it me yen and Indonesians Vsi Zin) and about ½ dl sugar

4.       How to measure the strength ? You take a non-peeled potato, which has been very carefully cleaned. When it is floating in such a way that it touches the surface and still is covered by the liquid (which has to be cold), then the brine is perfect

5.       The ham is then put into the mixture for 21 days.  The pot with the ham has to put on the balcony, in the garage or in another place, where the temperature is always  0 degrees or below

6.       On Day 21 in the evening the ham is taken out of the brine and put into un-salted water – staying there overnight

7.       The next day the ham must be put into the oven on a rack with a meat thermometer (ready when 76 – 80 centigrade)

8.       The oven is put on to 95 – 110 degrees. The cooking this way can take up to 12 hours….

 

Another Finnish dish for Christmas is “laatikko” (means “box”, but when we are on the culinary side: “au gratin” – a sort of pudding.) Ingredient can vary: Carrot, potato or above all Swedish turnip (rutabaga Am eng.)!! Another must is roe: Burbot, vendance or whitefish mixed with onion and smetana (Russian crème fraiche) as a starter. Herring is also at the table, but mixed in to a beetroot salad, whith the Italian name “Rossolli”. In some families salty cucumbers (Russian) are served with smetana and fluid honey. Wonderful.

 

In addition to that Finnish Christmas is like in all Nordic countries: with Father Christmas, the fir tree, presents, etc. People still go to church in the afternoon on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day at 6 o’clock in the morning.  In the countryside you still sometime see people go with horses and a sledge – or with a reindeer in the north. But it is rarely seen nowadays.  But it is often offered to tourists. Lots of tourists are visiting the North of Finland before and during the Christmas period.

 

Perhaps there is one more tradition, which is special for Finland. Almost everybody will on December 24 in the afternoon put candles on the graves in the cemeteries.  It is done to ion remembrance of the dead, but especially to honour those who felt for the country in the wars with the Soviet Union in 1939-45.

 

The most important moment in Christmas in Finland in December 24 in the evening – Christmas Eve.  Not December 25.

 

In today’s Finland, especially in the business world, lots of Christmas lunches take place. The last two weeks before Christmas Eve all restaurants “go full speed”. These events can be quite wet! You start with Glögg at noon and finish with cognac and cigars perhaps 3-4 hours later….

 

Glögg parties also exist, but they are today more civilised.  In the 1960ies and 1970ies you could have a free permanent “good time” by visiting all the glögg parties you were invited to.

 

Personally I still prepare my own glögg. It takes about as long as the salted ham.

 

Thomas Romantschuk

Helsinki

 

CHRISTMAS IN MALTA

By
Carmel G. Bonavia

Christmas, a time for joy and happiness, is marked by various traditions, folklore and customs which are well rooted in local religious beliefs.

The traditional young boys sermon on Christmas eve is over a century old, with the earliest documented ones taking place at Luqa and Floriana. The crib has a longer history. The Franciscans Conventual already had one at their church in Rabat in 1617. The Christmas Eve procession with the statue of Baby Jesus was organised for the first time in 1921.

Christmas around 77 years ago was confined to church functions in which the whole town or village took part. A short procession took place within the church or around the church parvis. Most churches were still lit by thousands of candles. Only a few had gaslight and electricity was limited to the capital.

BOYS SERMON

The celebrant, before the solemn midnight Mass, carried the statue of Baby Jesus from the side altar where it would have been exposed for the previous nine days, to the high altar. It was this High Mass that the young boy, dressed as an acolyte (altar boy) delivered the sermon from the pulpit. The first known Christmas Eve sermon by an altar boy was delivered by George Sapiano in the parish church of Luqa in 1883.

Before this function, the town or village was quiet, as on other nights. Street lighting was very poor. Total darkness was only broken by some oil lamps. Christmas food, such as honey-rings (qaghaq tal-ghasel) and boiled dried chestnut soup (imbuljuta), were sold. The wine shops were crowded with men drinking red wine. They used to join their friends later, playing the zaqq (bagpipes), the mandolin, the guitar and tambourine.

Fr. George Preca, who in 1907 founded the Society of Christian Doctrine, known as M.U.S.E.U.M. (Magizter Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus: Oh Lord may the whole world follow your gospel), had a special devotion to Christmas. He even celebrated his first soilemn Mass on Christmas Day 1906 at Ft. Gajetans church in Hamrun.

THE FIRST PROCESSION

Dun Gorgs devotions and activities found public expression on Christmas Eve of 1921. At one of his meetings early in December with the societys members in Hamrun, where he had opened the first centre, he expressed his strong wish that on Christmas Eve members would organise a "manifestation" with Baby Jesus in all towns and villages.

Dun Gorg did not want a formal procession but a "manifestation" of faith and joy to involve people in the real spirit of Christmas.

The M.U.S.E.U.M. members did their best to organise the event, but their greatest problem was to get hold of a life-size statue of Baby Jesus for the demonstration. Seventy-four years ago such statues were only available in churches and religious communities for midnight Masses. The members of Fr. Precs society tried all possible sources, to no avail, but Fr. Francis Micallef of the Franciscans Conventual in Valletta finally lent them one for the occasion.

At sunset on Christmas Eve, 1921, Fra Diegu Street, Hamrun, was crowded with children and adults ready to take part in this first procession. Many provided themselves with lanterns of various kinds - some used in the Viaticum, others borrowed bicycle headlamps lit by acetylene gas, oil lamps used on farmers carts or hurricane lamps. Others, mostly youths, improvised lanterns hewn out of small pumpkins or vegetable marrows with candles inside. Others brought coloured paper lanterns, Venetian lights, palm fronds and olive branches. From the beginning it was evident that the idea had caught the imagination of many and it was going to be a success.

MALTESE CAROLS

The Hamrun members and boys were joined by others from nearby centres in Marsa and Blata l-Bajda. The procession went along the main Hamrun streets with the participants singing traditional carols, like Adeste Fideles (Come all Ye Faithful) and Ninni la Tibkix Izjed (Sleep Baby, dont cry), written by the Jesuit Fr. Andrew Schembri (1774-1862) from Luqa for Maltese migrants in Tunis.

The entire population of Hamrun went to watch the procession and a truly Christian enthusiasm was created in preparation for the midnight Mass. Similar "manifestations" were held in a few other localities in Malta. Elderly members of MUSEUM relate interesting experiences of the first processions held in 1921 and 1922.

To meet the demand for more large figures of Baby Jesus, half a dozen were imported from Lecce, Italy, by a Valletta agent. These were soon bought by the larger centres of the 18 which MUSEUM had opened in Malta. They cost about 2 M liras each, which was quite high, considering that the average daily wage was 1s 8d (8 cents). Fr. Francis Micallef is believed to have supplied Qormi and a couple other centres with statuettes he himself had made or imported.

EARLY EXPERIENCES

Mr. Gerald Schembri of Zabbar, then aged nine, recalls that in the first procession held there he had carried Baby Jesus in his arms. Gerald was dressed as an altar boy. The village streets were almost in total darkness, not yet surfaced, muddy and wioth many pot-holes. Boys brought all sorts of lanterns, including those used by farmers and fishermen on their crafts. A bicycle lamp, lit by acetylene gas, was held by Josehp Chetcuti to keep Baby Jesus in the spotlight.

They carried coloured paper lanterns, lit with candles, which easily caught fire or were frequently blown out. All along the route, people placed their oil lamps behind windows to break the darkness.

When the procession reached Bajjada Street, it encountered a group of drunken men. The superior, Joseph Lanzon used to relate that the children were scared at first but as the drunks walked aside, the cortege proceeded without incident.

DECORATIONS

Each member did his best to contribute towards a better presentation of this now very popular event. Members who were good carpenters produced beautiful yet simple mangers. They made plywood banners inscribed with biblical quotations. Letters were perforated through the plywood, and covered with coloured tissue paper so that these banners could be lit with candles and the words raed out. Each centre had a bigger banner with the words Verbum Dei Caro Factum est on it leading the procession.

In Qormi, Antonio Cassar, a tinsmith who belonged to MUSEUM, hammered out a beautiful halo, two flower bases complete with flowers and leaves to be mounted on the portable platform. Emanuel Borg painted two pictorial backgrounds in a stained glass style with aback-light.

By the mid-1930s mantel lamps replace acetylene tanks. Children were to sing carols in Maltese and Latin. Other members played instruments to accompany choirs. Portable organs and piano accordions were among the more popular. In some villages traditional dorga was also played. This was an earthenware pot, like a pitcher, having a spout with a slot, similar to a whistle. When filled with water and blown into, it produced a warbling note.

After the war, portable lighting appliances came into use, using batteries, and public address sytems were mounted all along the route. Illuminated banners with biblical quotations in Maltese replaced the older ones. Bottled gas lamps substituted oil lamps. In some villages a band made up of volunteer musicians joined the members of the MUSEUM in the procession. The female section of the society provided children representing biblical characters.

The procession used to stop in the village square, where children recited duets and poems with a Christmas theme. The very first duet was the popular one Alpinu u Battillu. The Biblical scholar Mgr Saydon provided the Zurrieq centre witha specially written duet called Il-Lejl tal-Milied (Christmas Night), while other poets wrote sonnets and poems for the occasion. Poems by Dun Karm, Prof. A. Cuschieri and Fr. Frans Camilleri still form part of the programme as does the young boys sermon. Today girls also present a Christmas feature at such stops.

As the Christmas Eve procession became more popular, families started decorating pottery statuettes of Baby Jesus in balconies and windows. Large and small crib-makers opened their creations to public viewing.

---------------------
Carmel Bonavia is a historian, journalist, philatelist, curator of Zabbar Parish Museum, a retired Headteacher and a senior member of M.U.S.E.U.M.
----------------------
(Source: VOICE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN, Vol.2 - Issue # 18; Dec. 1997. VOM: St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, MALTA)

WEIHNACHTEN IN DEUTSCHLAND

 

Die Vorbereitung auf Weihnachten beginnt schon mit der " Adventszeit" - vier

Wochen vor Weihnachten beginnt diese Zeit. Viele Familien haben dann einen

Adventskranz (Kranz aus Tanne) mit 4 Kerzen darauf. Am ersten

"Adventssonntag" wird die erste Kerze angezündet und dann jeden Sonntag eine weitere - bis alle 4 Kerzen brennen, dann "steht das Christkind" kurz vor der Tuer.

 

Dazwischen, am 6. Dezember , kommt der " Nikolaus " mit seinem Knecht Ruprecht. Je nach dem: Man stellt am 5. Dezember abends seine Schuhe (gut geputzt) vor

die Tür. Falls man nett und brav war, bekommt man schöne Dinge vom Nikolaus

hineingesteckt, normalerweise Suessigkeiten, ganz kleine Geschenke. Wenn man

nicht brav war: eine Rute, früher auch schon mal ein Brikett (Kohle).

 

Und am 6. abends kommt der Nikolaus persönlich (natürlich von den Eltern

bestellt), fragt Gedichte ab, ob alle brav waren (weiss natürlich von den

Eltern die "kleinen Verfehlungen"), bestraft ein bisschen, gibt dann auch

Geschenke. Früher waren es definitiv nur kleinere Dinge, heute teilweise schon

fast Weihnachtsgeschenke. Das funktioniert natürlich nur so lange, wie die Kinder "an den Weihnachtsmann " glauben, danach ist es dann ja nicht mehr so nett.

 

In diesem Jahr ist Heilig Abend ein Sonntag und der vierte Adventssontag ist

gleichzeitig Heilig Abend.

 

In dieser Zeit werden dann auch die Weihnachtsplätzchen gebacken (falls

man sie nicht, wie ich, kauft!), der berühmte Christstollen (am meisten bekannt

als " Dresdner Christstollen ", weil von dort, Dresden, angeblich die besten

herkommen (ich bin nicht sicher, aber ich glaube, dort wurde er auch zuerst

hergestellt).

 

Nun zu Weihnachten selbst :

Der Heilig Abend (24. Dezember ) abend ist inzwischen der Abend, an dem die

Kinder (und auch die Erwachsenen) Geschenke bekommen. Früher war es einmal

der  25. Dezember morgens.

 

Zu den Gepflogenheiten :

Es gehoert natürlich ein Weihnachtsbaum dazu, der - falls möglich -

geschmückt wird (Lichter, Kugeln, Sterne etc.etc.), ohne dass die Kinder

den Baum vor dem Abend sehen.

Je nach Familie geht man nachmittags in eine " Christmette ", also in die

Kirche.

Inzwischen hat sich auch sehr die " Mitternachtsmesse " eingebürgert, d.h.

man geht nachts um 11 oder 12 Uhr in die Kirche (in diesem Fall allerdings: bei

den Katholiken war es schon "immer" so).

 

Nach der Christmette, wenn es anfängt, dunkel zu werden, dürfen dann alle

in das Zimmer mit dem Weihnachtsbaum (dazu läuten die Eltern mit einem

Glöckchen), der dann natürlich "angezündet" ist. - Heute überwiegend

elektrische Kerzen.

 

Es wird die Weihnachtsgeschichte aus der Bibel vorgelesen, falls Kinder

vorhanden, müssen die Gedichte aufsagen, Weihnachtslieder singen , falls

sie Instrumente spielen können auch irgendetwas vortragen , was sie natürlich

"zähneknirschend" vorher geübt haben. Und dann gibt es die Geschenke

(natürlich mit grosser Ungeduld erwartet). Diese liegen schön verpackt

unter dem Weihnachtsbaum (falls genug Platz).

 

Bis hierher ist es wohl mehr oder weniger bei allen Familien so üblich (bis auf

den Kirchgang, der inzwischen nicht mehr so unbedingt zum Programm

gehört).

 

Habe neulich mal irgendwo gelesen, dass 10 % der Leute gar nicht mehr wissen , warum Weihnachten überhaupt gefeiert wird. Kann auch etwas weniger

sein, aber es war eine erstaunlich hohe Prozentzahl. Aber das ist mit

Ostern und Pfingsten ebenso.

 

Essen und Getränke :

 

Soweit ich weiß, gibt es Heilig Abend bei vielen Familien etwas, das sehr

schnell geht: z.B. Kartoffelsalat mit Würstchen . (Die Kinder wollen ja

möglichst schnell zu ihren Geschenken und die Erwachsenen wahrscheinlich

auch.)

 

In meiner Familie (meine Eltern stammen aus Schlesien) gab es IMMER:

Polnische Karpfensauce mit Schlesischer Weißwurst (hat absolut nichst mit

der Bayerischen Weißwurst zun tun), dazu Sauerkraut und Kartoffeln. - Zu diesem

Gericht passt eigentlich nur Bier, Weißwein geht aber auch. Der "Clou"

daran ist diese Sauce, sehr würzig, Grundzutaten: Malzbier, Wurzelgemüse: Karotten,

Petersilienwurzel, Sellerie, Pasternaken, Zwiebeln, Gewürzkörner) und

ganz besonders wichtig, sonst geht es nicht: " Fischpfefferkuchen ", bekommt man

in Berlin in Fischhandlungen, ist wirklich eine Art Pfefferkuchen, nur nicht

ganz so süss. (Manche Leute garen in dieser Sauce auch einen Karpfen, aber

viele mögen keinen Karpfen, die nehmen dann diese Weißwurst).

 

Aber wie gesagt, das ist sicherlich regional unterschiedlich.

 

Für den 25. und 26. Dezember ist es da schon etwas einfacher:

 

Am 1. Weinachtsfeiertag , also 25. Dezember, gibt es eigentlich Gänsebraten

mit Rotkohl, evtl. auch Grünkohl, und Klößen (Knödel).

 

Am zweiten Feiertag (26.12.) besuchen sich die Familien/Freunde gegenseitig.

 

Inzwischen gibt es  auch Putenbraten oder Ente . Aber eigentlich war es die Gans. Diese Essen gab es früher auch IMMER mittags.

 

Ich weiss übrigens z.B. aus Kroatien (hier speziell Dalmatien), dass es am

Heilig Abend immer " Bakalar " gibt. Ein Gericht aus Stockfisch, Knoblauch,

Kartoffeln und Öl (ich finde es lecker).

 

Und am 1. Feiertag, also 25.12 .: "Pura s Mlincima", d.h. Pute mit "Mlinci",

Das ist eine besondere Art von Nudeln: vorher aus Mehl, Ei und Wasser

Hergestellter Teig, der dünn ausgerollt im Ofen mehr getrocknet als gebacken wird, kalt  und hart werden lassen, und dann in kochendem Wasser klein gebrochen kochen.

 

 

Gerda Fischer-Lahnstein

 

Königswinter

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

 

 

Let me summarize at least some of Czech Christmastraditions and customs:

 

1. Fish Scales:

 

Fish (carp, in particular) is a typical meal served as a main course during the Christmas Eve. Usually, you will find carp scales under your plate in each Czech family, because we believe that these scales will make you wealthy next year.

 

2. Apple:

 

After dinner fruits are served and there is a special tradition to cut apples in half (horizontally). Everybody at the table takes one to halve. If a clean star appears he/she will be healthy next year. Should there be any defect we believe he/she will have problems.

 

3. Walnut Crusts:

 

After dinner, Czechs use to "send out candles". In fact, we use half of a walnut crust to put in a small candle (for birthday cake). Again, everybody at the table gets one and after lighting it we put them all into a bowl as small boats. The one that lasts at longest provides its "owner" with a promise of longest life of all.

 

4. Spilling Lead:

 

This is another "bowl" friendly tradition. In fact, everybody gets a small peace of lead that they melt one by one on a spoon and spill into the bowl. We believe that the shape it gets reflects future of each person that spilled the lead. The most funny part of this tradition starts with guessing what do people around the table see in the shape and what do they think it means.

 

5. Singing Carols:

 

In addition to those customs there are beautiful Czech Christmas Carols and we use to sing them, of course. Regardless the quality of singers or better to say the lower it is the more fun we have (judging according to our family ;-).

 

So, this is at least some examples in brief. Should you not be happy with my description do not hesitate to contact me again.

 

Pavel Bouda

 

Brussels

 

 

 

WEIHNACHTEN IN BÖHMEN

 

Hier ein paar typisch böhmischen Bräuche zum Weihnachtsfest:

 

Nach dem alten Brauch sollte man am 24. 12. den ganzen Tag bis zum Abendessen fasten. Den Kindern wird versprochen, wenn sie das Fasten aushalten, werden sie ein goldenes Schweinschen sehen.

 

Die Familie versammelt sich zum gemeinsammem Abendessen wenn der erste Stern am Himmel erscheint.

 

Wie sah früher das altböhmisches Weihnachtsfestmenu?

 

Das Heilig-Abend-Menu von unseren Vorfahren bestand aus 9 Speissen . Die 9 war in ihren Leben eine magische Zahl, also sollte sie auch bei der Fest-Tafel erscheinen. Auf den Tisch sollte kommen alles was die (Land)wirtschaft her gab, dass es auch das nächste Jahr wieder gut gedeiht.

 

Die Pflicht des Familienhaupts am Heiligem Abend war auch die Tiere und Bäume zu bescheren.

 

Es wurden Weihnachtslieder gesungen, einige Weihnachtsbräuche ausgeführt und dann gingen alle zur Christmesse.

 

Die Weihnachtsküche variiert von Region zur Region. Auch die typischste Speise - der Karpfen wird unterschiedlich zubereitet : paniert, gebraten, Karpfen-blau usw.

 

Heutige typisch böhmisch Heilig-Abend-Menu besteht aus einer Fischsuppe, dem panierten gebratenem Karpfen und Kartoffelsalat.

 

Einige Bräuche werden bis heute noch ausgeführt. Zum Beispiel :

 

das "Bleigiessen"

- ein Stück Blei wird in einer kleinen Schaufel über der Flamme erhitzt bis zum Schmelzen.Dann wird das Blei vorsichtig in einem mit Wasser gefültem Behälter gegossen. Jeder ein Stück für sich.Aus der Form von diesem abstraktem Guss-stück versuchen die anwesenden zu einschätzen wen was erwartet.

 

das "Apfelschneiden"

-der Apfel wird querdurch aufgeschnitten. Hat das Kerngehäser die Form von einem Stern, bleiben alle gesund und treffen sich das nächste Jahr wieder. Erscheint das Kerngehäuser in der Form eines Kreuzes, droht jemandem von den anwesenden schwere Krankheit, sogar der Tod.

 

der "Schuhwurf"

-ledige Mädchen und Frauen werfen einen Schuh über den Kopf. Bleibt der mit der Spitze in der Richtung zu der Tür liegen, werden sie heiraten und das Haus verlassen. Liegt der Schuh mit der Ferse zur Tür, bleiben sie weiter ledig und zu Hause.

 

die "Karpfenschuppen"

- am Heiligem Abend sollte man unter die Telller auf dem Tisch vor dem Abendessen ein paar Karpfenschuppen legen. Es sollte allen genug geld in dem nächsten Jahr bringen.

 

Während des gemeinsammen Abendessen am Heiligen Abend sollte keiner vom Tisch aufstehen, auch wenn es an der Tür klingelt, sonst wird er binnen eines Jahres sterben.

 

 

Lyn Van Beek

 

Moravany