Bulgarian Christmas
George Madjarov
German Language High School,
Sofia, Bulgaria
Many years ago people in Bulgaria
lived together in large families comprising parents, children and grandparents.
Christmas Eve has always been one of the best expected evenings for all
people, one of the most festive ones in my country.
The newly married woman in
the family had to get the whole dinner ready. She had to get up early,
before daybreak. The preparation of the dishes (all vegetarian) took almost
a whole day. The woman used to begin with preparing the ritual round loaf
of bread, being decorated with different elements made of dough symbolizing
all the living creatures in that house. So each one could get to know something
about himself. The traditional leek pastry was prepared with cornel buds
as fortunes indicating health, wealth and fertility. It was known in advance
what each one of the fortunes was intended for. A white beans meal with
many seasonings, sauerkraut leaves and peppers stuffed with rice were prepared
too, all cooked with oil as people fasted until Christmas Day. The custom
required the preparation of stewed dried fruits. Some juice of them was
mixed with a little ground garlic. Everyone in the family tasted a teaspoon
of it with the wish for good health throughout the year coming.
The other members of the
family had to clean the house thoroughly, the yard and all buildings used
by them. After all was put in order and ready, everyone prepared himself
for the Christmas Eve itself putting on their new clothes, while the young
people trimmed the Christmas tree. The eldest one in the family brought
some straw into the house and on the tablecloth, there were placed the
dishes, this symbolizing the Nativity.
The eldest man in the family
censed the house and after that he and all the family read the “Our Lord's”
Prayer. They also drank the so-called warmed plum or grape brandy to which
some caramelized sugar had been added. The luckiest person was the one
who found the coin put into the loaf of bread, because it was luck bringing.
After supper was over the enjoyed the festive night dedicated to Nativity.
Nevertheless that the years
passed have changed these customs a little, that which remained is regarded
by the people and still fills their hearts with festive joy and mood on
Christmas Eve.
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