Europe at Present [Spring 2003]
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European holidaysIntroductionCelebrating holidays in numerous gatherings is a distinguishing feature of all European cultures. It is a part of our heritage to cherish customs that have prevailed in local communities. Some of them are widely spread and known, some are distinctively linked to particular regions or locations. Even those that are common might appear so similar, yet they might be uniquely enriched by having local variations and modifications. Therefore it is of utmost importance to preserve regional differences, customs and traditions and sustain the diversity of European cultures. This paper provides a brief overview of selected European customs. The first part focuses on the fashions in which Christmas is celebrated in various countries, in that the most interesting and graphic examples are given. In the following chapters a relatively wide array of holidays, specific and typical of both global and certain local communities, is covered, ranging from April Fool’s Day to the Oktoberfest.
The celebration of Christmas differs among countries in Europe. Every country or at least a group of countries has its own Christmas traditions, customs. In each country different food is served on the Christmas Eve, the Christmas Tree is decorated with local ornaments, every country has its own Christmas carols. However more and more often those traditions are being forgotten and new ones are borrowed from outside. This article presents the customs that are typical for certain regions and countries and are being preserved by local communities.
The time of celebrating Christmas by Armenians is a bit confusing. There are three dates on which Christmas is celebrated, depending on the region where Armenians live. Those who have emigrated celebrate on both 25th of December and 6th of January. In Armenia Christmas is celebrated on 6th of January, due to the fact that the Armenians believe that Christ’s birth should be celebrated on the day of his baptism. What’s even more interesting, as the Armenians use the old Julian Calendar, Christmas fall on the 19th of January. And on that date Christmas is celebrated by Armenians, who live in the Holy Land... As far as the traditions are concerned, Armenians prepare themselves for Christmas with a fast, which consists of not eating meat one week before Christmas and not eating anything at all on the day before Christmas. The fast ends on Christmas Eve, when traditional badarak is served. It consists of lamb and rice or Boulgeur Pilav and is served after the family returns from evening mess. During the service men and women sit traditionally in separately. After the meal children sing carols on the roofs of their houses. They hold handkerchiefs that the parents fill with presents that are mainly raisins or fried wheat and money. The Christmas time in Armenia is a time of social visits and meeting with friends.317
As Austria is the motherland of great composers, the Christmas time is filled with music. The most famous concerts take place in Salzburg, where Salzburger Adventsingen takes place every year, followed by candlelight concerts in the Hohensalzburg Fortress and others like Mozarteum and concerts in churches and Market squares. In Vienna City Hall a concert of choirs from all over the world takes place. Austria is also the birthplace of the world’s best known Christmas carol – “Silent night”, which is celebrated in Oberndorf in the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. Yet before Christmas preparations start. Each family buys or prepares an Adventkranz, which is decorated with 4 candles lit on four Sundays before Christmas. On 5th of December a Krampus Day takes place. Children gather and throw snowballs at figures of Krampus, which is a creature that represents evil. On the next day St. Nicholas day is celebrated. The main person of Christmas in Austria is the Christkindl, who decorates the Christmas Tree and gives the presents. Every church in Austria has its Krippe with little figures of newborn Christ, Joseph and Maria. Krippes are also made by families and are often hundreds years old and full of characters and figures. On Christmas Eve, after the tinkling bell summons every body to the Christmas dinner – children see the Tannenbaum (Christmas Tree) decorated with ornaments and candles for the first time and wait for the Christkindl to arrive. The families exchange gifts and after the dinner go to the Mitternachtmesse. On the first and second Day of Christmas Austrians meet their families and friends. On January 6, the Epiphany is celebrated to remember the Three Wise Men.318
In Bulgaria people prepare themselves for Christmas with a 40-day Advent fast. On Christmas Eve the hole family gathers at the table to eat a vegetarian dinner that consists of 7, 9 or 11 dishes, of which the most popular are: homemade bread, pumpkin pie, beans, cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, dried fruit compote, walnuts and garlic. Each member of the family recites prayers to drive away any bad spirits. The Christmas Tree is usually bought on the 23rd of December and decorated with straw that symbolizes the straw in Bethlehem’s stable. Some of the straw also goes under the white cloth on the Christmas Table. The two main Christmas traditions in Bulgaria are singing carols by young men called Kolendari and Sooroovachka, which is a custom of patting the family with a stick by children for good luck and health. Kolendari usually receive sweets, cakes and other food and children who participate in Sooroovachka are given money. Another Bulgarian custom is that young, unmarried girls put a piece of bread from the Christmas table under their pillows in order to dream about their future husband. The food from the Christmas dinner is traditionally left on the table until the next morning.319 |