VANESSA LUJZA EMRÍŠKOVÁ

Christmas in Slovakia

. . .

Christmas is for Christians a celebration of Jesus Christ Birth in Belteheme, a celebration of him who came to redeem the world. Grulla, cake called, štedrák, cabbage soup with mushrooms, lentil soup or fish, the chain around the table, no poultry on the table, because it is said that if there was a poultry the happiness would fly away next year.

Other cutsom is cutting apples into halves,

nut shells swimming on the water or putting

money under the tablecloth. These all are

superstitions connected with Christmas

magic and sorcery, derived from pagan

traditions that our familes keep from

generation to generation.

Our Christmas...

• Christmas is not only three feast days. But it means the whole month of preparation. It is the feast of Christ - the King birth, when new year starts. All Christmas days carry an amount of magical energy.

Slovak Christmas poem. . .

Načo ľudia oddávna čakali,

to im už anjeli zvestovali,

radujme sa, plesajme a Bohu ďakujme,

nemluvniatku, pacholiatku spievajme.

• Original

ADVENT

Advent means in Latin arrival, it is actually the expectation of

coming Savior of the world. During the early Christianity

began around the 11th century and began four weeks before

Christmas Eve day. Advent has been dedicated to the spiritual

exercises, meditation and fasting. Fun and games at that

time are not very suitable, social life center on prays,

various concerts and charitable events.

Something about it...

Christmas Eve - 24 DecemberOn Christmas Eve,

24 December, until the evening

people usually keep fasting and magic traditions relate it is said that to health, success, future harvests and

personal life. It is the Eve of the

feast of Christ's Birth. Foreign

woman could not enter the house because it would mean disaster,

and it was a bad

sign, if something needs to borrow.

Lent ends when the first star enters sky. The Christmas table

is special too. Dinner is associated

with many traditions that are adhered. At first people eat waffles

with honey, a coinis put under the table cloth to have enagh money during the whole year. The

apples, legumes and nuts are on each Christmas table.

After dinner people exchange gifts to

make our relatives happy.

An apple symbolizes health, wisdom, nuts, small ornaments for

girls beauty and future happiness, and coin

meand success.

At midnight a lot of people visit the

famous Christmas Mass.

25 December – Christmas day

25 december is the day when we meet our relatives, the whole family and we stay together.

Main Christmas Mass

was held on 25 December.

26 December

26 december – St. Stephen´s Day people go and

congratulate marry Christmas each

other. Saint Stephen was an

ardent follower of a herald of Christ's

teaching, for which he was in 37 when

the wall of Jerusalem crucified.

He was also the patron of horses

and carollers.

Advent Malacky...

With the Advent, a series of related cultural and social events are held annually in towns and villages of our region. Some emphasize the spiritual meaning of Christmas, others have commercial importance. Every year in

December everywhere in Malacky, you can hear Christmas carrols and Christmas punch smells everywhere. Advent cycle events in Malacky

traditionally opens the first Advent candle lighting in the Franciscan church. 6 December is dedicated to Santa Claus events, which are intended for children.

In the castle park every year during this period there is ice skating area made. On a small square of Christmas begin to sound tones and open the

Christmas markets.