Ever wondered how people around the world celebrate Christmas (and New Years)? We are distinguished by curiosity in everything related to languages, cultures of different countries and interesting traditions. Christmas is no exception!

What is Christmas? Christmas Eve got the name “Christmas Eve” – ​​from the name of the ritual food that is eaten on this day – soycha. Sochivo or kutia – porridge made from wheat or barley, rye, buckwheat, peas, lentils, mixed with honey.

The number of dishes was also ritual – 12 (according to the number of the apostles). The table was rich and plentiful: pancakes, fish dishes, aspic, jelly of pork and beef legs, suckling pig stuffed with porridge, pork head with horseradish, homemade pork sausage, honey gingerbread, fried goose. According to the old custom, the table was first sprinkled with hay – in memory of the nativity scene and the manger.
Food on Christmas Eve could not be taken until the first star, in memory of the Star of Bethlehem, which announced to the Magi and the Nativity of the Savior. And with the onset of dusk, when the first star lit up, they sat down at the table and shared the wafers, wishing each other all the best and bright. Christmas is a holiday when the whole family gathers together at a common table. Christmas Eve ended the Christmas fast, and on the very holiday of Christmas the faithful are treated to delicious food.

On the night of January 6-7, before Orthodox Christmas, people usually did not sleep: they went from house to house, treated themselves to food and caroling. Kolyada is the name of the old Christmas rite of glorification of the feast of the Nativity of Christ with songs and the song itself. For this, the owners treated the carols with various delicacies.

Going to carol, the rich, as a rule, disguised themselves in carnival, unusual clothes, and the poor simply turned their outerwear inside out and put on animal masks. Now this ritual is being revived: people learn songs, dress up as in the old days, put on masks and go to neighbors, relatives, and colleagues.

Christmas lasts three days. Pious believers try to spend them in the temple. The second day after Christmas is called the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos, Christians in churches glorify the Mother of God, from whom the Savior was born.

In Venezuela in December, people listen to the traditional melody “Gaita”. It is performed on several instruments – “cuatro” (four-string guitar), “tambora” and “furro” (Venezuelan drums) and “charrascu” (ribbed pipe played with a stick). The melody is accompanied by songs in Spanish.

In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas descends the chimney on December 5th, leaves gifts and a short poem. And as children grow up, these poems become a little harsher.

In Taiwan, New Year is celebrated on January 1st according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Children receive red envelopes with money as a gift, and families gather for a large joint lunch, setting the table with special dishes – special stews and dumplings. Everyone eats meat and vegetables from the same pot, they say that this gives an incredible sense of togetherness. Here we mention the New Year, since it is equal in importance to Catholic Christmas.

In the UK, roasted turkey for dinner is a staple Christmas tradition. No British home celebrates Christmas without crackers – cardboard tubes wrapped in colored paper. Inside the crackers is a small gift, a paper hat, and a bad joke (most often a pun in English).

In Germany, the traditional Christmas drink is a warm, spiced wine called “Glühwein”. Mulled wine is best enjoyed outdoors while walking through one of the many Christmas markets. Adventure lovers enjoy another drink – “Feuerzangenbowle”, for the preparation of which a lump of sugar moistened with rum is set on fire and caramelized sugar is dripped into mulled wine.

In Colombia, people celebrate the start of the Christmas season on December 7th, and some cities host parades on this day based on myths and legends of Colombian folklore, such as “mother of the forest” (“madremonte” in Colombian Spanish), “one leg” (“la patasola “),” The headless priest “(” el cura sin cabeza “) and others.

In Ukraine, Rizdvo is celebrated with a feast with 12 dishes and carols. Everyone – both children and old people – takes part in this.

In Georgia, as in Russia, two new years are celebrated – the “new” New Year on January 1 and the “old” New Year on January 14. The old new year is not celebrated as large as the new one, but people still like this holiday. It is believed that everything that happens on January 15 will determine your fate for the coming year …

In Mauritius, people love to watch holiday fireworks from the beach or their rooftops on New Years Eve. And since this spectacle has so many spectators, it turns into a competition for the loudest fireworks.

In Vietnam, Christian communities set up special Christmas decorations that any passerby can look at. And since the weather is warm, groups of friends go on long walks in picturesque places, and then drink coffee together.

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