Are you in Prague on Christmas time? Or do you only know how we celebrate this event? Read more about our biggest holiday and wonderfull time of the year 2009. For most Pragues, December of 24th (Stedry den) is the most notable and enjoyable day of the holiday season. When we could translated, it´s name means "generous day" which reflects the longstanding tradition of an abundance of food being served for Christmas dinner. Back in the old days, even poor families would take care to have their plates full on this particular day of the year. The Adam´s and Eva´s of the republic celebrate their name days and, according to an old Czech custom, people are supposed to fast all day in order to see the "zlate prasatko" (golden piglet) after the sun's gone down.
Piglet or no piglet, dinner is served after sunset mainly. You won't find any stuffed turkey here, by the way. Christmas dinner consists of carp (known Czech fish) and potato salad, oftentimes preceded by fish soup. Interestingly enough, it is said that carp can be prepared a hundred different ways and also almost every family has got onw "Christmas carp recipe". How many bottom feeders can say that?! Topping off the fishy fare is dessert that usually comes in the form of apple strudel. Vanocka, a traditional sweet Czech Christmas bread may also accompany the meal. After dinner in many houses, all those present at the dinner table cut an apple in half (crosswise, from the stem down). Both halves are revealed to everyone around the table. If the core is star-shaped, everyone will enjoy happiness and health. Should the core be in the shape of a four-pointed cross, however, look out, as it is a bad omen signifying the illness or death of somebody at the table within a year - but it is much more traditional way. Normally, after dinner is time to expand gifts.
We wish you happy Christmas time - no mather where you stay for it !
