Holiday Traditions from Home - Stories from the CEU Community

Ursula Sanchez – Mexico

Just as the Christmas markets are flooding the Christmas spirit in Budapest, in Mexico we start celebrating days before Christmas. To be accurate, for nine days before the Christmas - from December 16 to the 24^th - we have consecutive parties in most of the popular neighbourhoods in Mexico. We call these parties posadasand they have at least two meanings: some people say they represent the nine days of pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph towards Bethlehem, and others relate it to the nine months of Mary´s pregnancy. In any case, Augustinian friars introduced the posadas in order to characterize this pilgrimage, and thus evangelize the indigenous people. The tradition continued over time: who would not want nine days of celebration? Nowadays several families host the posadas and all neighbors are welcome to come. As part of the celebration, we still keep the characterization of the pilgrimage and we even ask for posada – and a nice fruit punch. To do so, while at the party, a group will split, and go outside with candles. This group would take a walk and sing some Christmas carols, then they would come back to the party and ask for hospitality from the hosts. After that, we break the piñata: this is another important element of the posadas. Christmas piñatas take the shape of a colourful star with seven peaks. The peaks represent the seven capital sins, and to break it you must have your eyes covered as symbol of virtue and belief. So the moment you break it, you overcome all the sins, and as a reward you would get a lot of candies: not a bad prize for a quick redemption. So if you ever happen to be in Mexico around these days, do not hesitate and try out some of the Mexican hospitality!

Anastasia Theologou – Greece

In Greek tradition, we decorate a small wooden ship in the first days of December: it represents the renewed “sailing” of our lives after the birth of Jesus, and reflects our tradition as a naval power. The day before Christmas, all the children wake up early, to perform the traditional song Kalanta at others’ houses, singing and playing the triangle. Hostesses are obliged by custom to give them some money, and the children buy toys, to show on Christmas Day. We usually eat a great meal, drink wine, and perform traditional songs and dances. The celebration always lasts until the next day.

 

Predrag Babić – Serbia

In Serbian Orthodox tradition, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. On Christmas Eve, the head of each family ceremonially cuts down an oak tree, brings the log into the house, and places it on the fire. That log is called badnjak, and according to folk tradition, its fire keeps the newborn Christ and his mother warm. An indispensable part of Christmas dinner is the česnica, a round loaf of bread with a hidden coin inside. Finding the coin brings luck in the following year. In Serbia, Santa Claus brings presents for New Year, while Božić Bata(‘Christmas Boy’) does it for Christmas.

Kei Takahashi – Japan

This winter I am going to spend my Christmas in Oxford, UK. I lived in Oxford for two years, and I built a solid relationship with my supervisor and his wife, who treated me as if I was their own daughter; I cannot wait to reunite with them! Back in Japan, I never appreciated Christmas very much, as Christmas is a commercial holiday for lovers and families: we have New Year celebrations instead. This year it is different; while I will miss the traditional New Year celebration with my family, I am grateful that I will get to celebrate Christmas instead, with people who are very dear to my heart.

Isabella Trifan – Romania

What is interesting is just how different Christmas traditions are across different regions in Romania: in the capital we get together with our families, find our presents under the Christmas tree, some of the kids go carol singing, and “the youngsters” get together with friends for a night out. In some Northern parts, however, Christmas is still celebrated on January 7, according to the old Julian calendar. Families go from door to door singing traditional carols and are then invited to stay for dinner. It is considered disrespectful not to have at least a taste of traditional desserts or a sip of the homemade spirit drinks.

Put together by Dan Hartas, Philosophy, UK