#2 Christmas traditions in Europe

As I said yestarday I have to continue with Part 2 Christmas traditions in Europe.
CROATIA
In some regions (e.g. Dalmatia) the log is sprinkled with wine upon being lit, but again, each region has its own local variations. Traditionally, this is the most important part of an entire Christmas celebration. The badnjak is usually cut on Christmas Eve in the morning, but this custom is also prone to regional interpretations. However, the log is supposed to be burning during the whole Christmas Day. Nowadays, the custom of lighting a badnjak has remained only in rural areas, for obvious reasons.


CYPRUS
Christmas in Cyprus is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday. Throughout the festivities, there is no doubt that Cyprus honors Christ at Christmas. Beautiful carols called ""kalanda" have been handed down from Byzantine times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration. Are the remote Cyprus villages, with their whitewashed walls, stone corrals for the precious (in spirit) from a night in Bethlehem so long ago? While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Cypriot equivalent is not so benign.


CZECH REPUBLIC
Since the morning of December 24th people should not touch a single piece of salami and they expect to see Golden Pig flying on the sky in the evening. It’s a bit weird but very common among Czechs. As a kid I was always so disappointed I haven’t see any golden pig after the whole day fasting.
Many Czechs buy carps alive before Christmas and keep them in a bathtub at home. Kids like watching these poor slimy guys swimming in the super clean water (they must feel like they’re in heaven already). The Temporary Zoo in the bathroom means no shower for Czechs.
Even some Czechs don’t know what consists of. Czech purpura is a blend of herbs and spices, barks, needles and natural essences resembling mess or sawdust. Once we have a package of purpura at home we need to start to make it smell. How? It needs to be heated up!
We take a piece of tinfoil and place a handful of purpura on it. Then we put it on the stove, heat it up and let it smoulder for a bit. When the scent is intense enough and you still don´t see flames, just take a walk around your apartment and spread the Christmas fragrance all over. We love it! Forget about artificial air fresheners. Czech purpura is sold at every Christmas market, in flower shops or hobby markets
Once it starts the dintre Christmas , nobody can leave the table until everybody finish eating. So everything needs to be ready, prepared, close at hand and served: meals, drinks, salt, pepper, etc. Otherwise, if you leave the table during eating, something bad may happen to you during the next year. And yes, you have to go to pee before you sit down.


DENMARK
In the old days, it was common to give the animals a special treat on Christmas Eve. It was believed that all animals could talk on this special night, and nobody wanted the animals speaking ill of them! Today some families continue that tradition. They go for a walk in the garden, in the park or forest and bring along small goodies for Denmark’s furry friends


ESTONIA
Christmas Eve and Christmas Night were the most sacred times of the season, often characterised by fortune telling. With the help of the stars and the frost, the weather for the coming year was predicted. Christmas food had to remain on the table (as part of the cult of the ancestors) and the fire burning in the fireplace (probably as sun worship) for the whole night. It was believed that both good and bad forces were on the move on Christmas Night and that ancestors would visit the house. The next year’s harvest was also predicted.

FINLAND
According to legend, Saint Stephen was a stable boy of King Herod, and in Finland, as elsewhere, Stephen became the patron saint of horses and horsemen. On Saint Stephen’s Day horses are included in the celebration of Christmas. In the past, horses pulled the sleighs when people visited friends and relatives, and sleigh rides can still be enjoyed at many a Saint Stephen’s Day event.
Christmas preparations in Finland start by deciding where to spend it. The family home is often preferred, but occasionally some jazzing up is in order and a villa or a cottage might be rented in the countryside. Obviously, food plays a central part in Christmas celebrations in Finland, too. Pork roast is the main dish in most households and a variety of fish, casseroles and salads are served with it. The most authentic Christmas Eve breakfast is rice pudding.

FRANCE
Obviously the French don't actually move Christmas Day around, but they are more flexible when it comes to giving presents.
There is a long held tradition that lives on in certain parts of France, of neighbours gathering around a giant fire on Christmas Eve. Known as hailhe de Nadau (also spelt 'haille' or 'halha' de Nadau), in some parts of France people still meet around the fire to share a moment, as well as enjoy some Christmassy treats, drinks and music to accompany the flames.

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