So close and yet so different: How our neighbours in the East celebrate Christmas.
But why look further afield? Our neighbours to the east also have some very interesting and cool customs around Christmas. You might find some parallels, many things will surprise you. But it's best if we set off together on a journey into the unknown and take a look over at Ivo.
Ivo lives in Croatia and is studying history and German to become a teacher. Christmas is always a particularly exciting time for him and he remembers the days when he was still a little boy and sat on the windowsill with his brother Darian waiting for the first snowflakes.
The Croatian name for "Christmas Eve" is Badnjak and means burning tree. It is traditional for the head of the family to cut down a tree on Christmas morning, carry the trunk home and keep it burning throughout Christmas Day. In Ivo's village, it is also customary for the tree trunk to be sprinkled with wine beforehand. When Ivo was old enough, he was allowed to go into the forest with his father to choose the tree. This was always a special highlight for the young student. Christmas, also known as Bozic, is celebrated on 25 and 26 December with traditional Croatian food. And although Croatia is a relatively small country, numerous customs are upheld during the Christmas period. Otherwise, the celebrations are similar to ours: with a Christmas tree, presents and family. However, there is one difference: while in Austria the Christ Child brings the presents, in Croatia you simply get presents from your family.
Star man instead of Christ child
Our journey continues to Wiktoria and her family in Poland. The 22-year-old is studying medicine and is a real Christmas fan. And although Poland is so close to Austria, the Christmas celebrations there are completely different to ours.
In Poland they celebrate Wigilia, which in Latin means vigil. For Christian Poles, Christmas is the most important festival of the year and Wiktoria was born with this attitude. As an only child, socialising with family members is particularly important to her, which is why she is always particularly happy that the whole family is together from early until late at Christmas. A special custom is the sharing of Christmas wafers. These are always shared with a family member.
These are the moments when I felt particularly close to my family. When you share the wafer, you wish each other luck and blessings for the coming year. It's simply a beautiful moment.
In Poland, a lot is served at Christmas and after the meal, the children wait for the Star Man and his helpers, the Star Boys. They look very carefully to see if the children have been good and, if so, bring presents. In Poland, you can see many of these disguised star boys on the streets at Christmas time, walking from door to door singing and spreading the familiar and contemplative atmosphere.
Father Frost and Christmas two weeks later?
And from the Polish streets, the snowstorm blows us on to Valentin and Sophia in Russia. The siblings celebrate Christmas very differently than we might expect.
Christmas Eve there is on 6 January and they only celebrate Christmas on 7 January. What's more, there are no presents in Russia. But what about Father Frost? In Europe, we often hear that he brings presents at Christmas in Russia - a misconception, as Valentine tells us:
So Father Frost doesn't come to us at Christmas, but on New Year's Eve. On this day, only the children receive presents from him, unlike in Austria, for example, where adults also receive gifts. In Russia, the custom really only focusses on the children.
His sister Sophia agrees: "Yes, we were very excited weeks in advance about what Father Frost would bring us this time, often socks, dolls or wooden figures. I remember exactly how well we looked after our toys. As I said, we don't celebrate Christmas until 7 January. As a child, it wasn't that exciting, the day was characterised by long church services and Christian carols. But when we were a bit older and understood the meaning of Christmas with the appearance of the Lord, we also enjoyed the church services.
They have particularly fond memories of the festive meal afterwards and Valentin and Sophia say that they split Christmas into two days. Whereas in Austria, the Christian mass and the gift-giving take place on the same day, in Russia this is celebrated a few weeks apart and the focus is therefore strongly on each part.
As you can see, despite their proximity to Austria, the culture and customs of our neighbours to the east are often very different. But there is also a lot to discover in Russia, Poland and Croatia in summer. The FH Burgenland summer colleges are probably the best way to do this: together with students from the respective partner country, you can immerse yourself not only in the language, but also in the culture and customs of the country. A new language, culture, foreign customs and nice people at a reasonable price? Sounds good, doesn't it?
And as you already know a lot about the Christmas customs of these countries, you'll certainly be able to strike up a conversation with the students in these countries.
Because next summer is sure to come.
# Gepostet in:
Einblicke von Studierenden,
Bachelorstudiengang Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen,
Wirtschaft (mit Schwerpunkt Zentral-Osteuropa)
