Today, we’ll go over whether the Czech Republic celebrates Christmas Eve and Christmas as a whole. This may seem like a silly question until you consider that merely 12% of the Czech population actually associates themselves openly with Christianity of any form. As such, let’s take a look at the Christmas situation for the Czechs and whether it’s an important thing for them!
Though Czechs were once a very religious kind, now nearly half of the population openly admits to being irreligious and many choose to be believers without an organised religion. In spite of this, Christmas is still an important time of year for people, albeit without much of the religions undertone for the majority. Czech families, too, gather around a communal table, often with a bit of hay covering it in remembrance of the place where Jesus was born. They eat mushroom/fish soups, lots of homemade cookies and the carp. Though those of you from the UK may be used to the 25th being the important day, Czechs celebrate Christmas mainly on the 24th.
Christmas Traditions
Another oddity may be that the Christmas dinner’s main star is no turkey but carp. For us, Poles, this is ingrained in our bloodstream just as much as it is for Czechs, even if it’s a tradition on a rapid decline. One reason why is that the tradition calls for the carp not to be bought dead and prepared, but rather alive, and kept in a bathtub. Yes, we do that too in Poland. It’s a tad strange, yes. That’s why it’s dying out. Czechs also sometimes save scales from the carp as tokens for good luck.
Another traditional part of the celebration is using walnuts. The shell of the walnut is used as a platform which is placed onto a water surface. The walnut is then filled with water too and tiny candles are placed onto the water inside of the shell. If all goes well and the walnut sails, you’re good, prosperity and luck be upon ye. If not, then you better not leave the basement for a year.
You may also find people not willing to get up from their chairs during the Christmas dinner, as they’re afraid it’s bad luck or an outright death verdict if you do. Some also cut apples in half to read their future from the inside.
Who brings presents in the Czech Republic?
In the Czech Republic, Christmas Eve presents are not brought by Father Christmas, not Santa, but by the Baby Jesus (known as ‘Ježíšek’). He enters Czech households through a window and leaves gifts under the Christmas tree. These are then opened after Christmas dinner. Though, there’s also another part of the gift-giving during Christmas.
You may be familiar with the 6th of December being St Nicholas Day. In Czechia, this takes place on the evening of the 5th of December instead. What happens then? St Nicholases, accompanied by an angel and a devil, march out onto the streets, asking children if they’ve been naughty this year. If they’ve been good, they may get some sweets. If not, coal.
Midnight mass in the Czech Republic
Yes, Czechs also celebrate the Midnight Mass, though that’s that part of the celebration which is for actual believers. As such, it’s not a very large part of the process for most families.
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