The Christmas market in Trnava. (source: TASR)
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS 101
In the past, the Spectacular Slovakia podcasts covered the ins and outs of Christmas holidays in Slovakia extensively. What follows below is a selection of a few choice examples. Give some of them a listen over the Christmas season.
A reinvigorating story
Just after moving to Slovakia, American Jeremy Hill felt a lump in his throat. An oncologist told him that the tumour was cancerous. In an effort to cheer him up, Hill's wife convinced him to join her at the famed Christmas markets, where Slovaks flock every year for some seasonal delicacies. Although he was sceptical at first, Hill tried some greasy Slovak favourites, which soon renewed his spirits. Find out how "artery-clogging" Slovak Christmas delicacies brought an American back to life.
The how and why of traditions
Did you know that even though many Christmas traditions originated in the past, with many dating back to the times when Slavs were pagan, Slovaks still observe many of them. Did you know that girls used to shake the fences of their houses? Or that Slovak families need to have a fish scale under each plate and a chain full of festive treats underneath the table on Christmas Eve? Learn more in this festive episode.
Traditions, old and new
The same beloved Christmas songs on the radio, the markets in the city, buying gifts for loved ones, cooking, baking and arrays of bright coloured lights. This is how the majority of people prepare for the holidays these days. Although some traditions survive to this day, others have been transformed or adjusted to the 21st century lifestyle or replaced by new ones, often imported from other cultures. Learn more here.
Did you know that Christmas is the best time to wish for money? Canadian Naomi Hužovičová will tell you more in this story.
COOKING
What to put on the Christmas table
Naomi has lived in Slovakia for many years now. Over the years she has learned a lot about the country's cuisine, as evidenced by her many articles on local dishes and the Cooking with Babička series. As such, who better to turn to when it comes to unveiling what traditional meals her family prepares on Christmas Eve?
Also, in her latest edition of Cooking with Babička, discover how oplátky are made using a wafer iron and why they are a favourite among Slovak Christmas foods, even though in the west part of the country they are a relatively recent addition to the traditional meal.
With wafer irons not easy to come by, many Slovaks prefer to make medovníky, spiced honey cookies. They can be found everywhere around Christmas time, from fancy decorated ones in market stalls to simple treats in grandma's kitchen. You can learn her recipe here.
Decorated medovníky, Slovak spiced honey cookies. (source: Archív SME - Ján Krošlák, TASR)
Different regions, different ethnicities, and different religions in Slovakia traditionally had different Christmas dinners. In this blast from the past article from the Slovak Spectator archive, you can learn how to make typical cake recipes such as Vianočka, Bobaľky (also known as Pupáky or Opekance), and Kokosové Guľky.
In most of Slovakia, bobaľky are an integral part of Christmas Eve dinner. In part, as a memento of the traditions maintained by grandmothers. However, they used to be on tables all year round. Most Slovaks know them as a sweet pastry. It was no coincidence that they were topped with poppy seeds. According to ethnologist Katarína Nádaská, the seeds were believed to have a magical power. Learn more about their history here.
Many years ago, Pressburg, now Bratislava, was a melting pot where the tastes and smells of the whole world were mixed. All these influences were reflected in the meals traditionally served in it during Christmas and the New Year's Eve. But what couldn't be missing on any Christmas Eve's table in the city was the fish.
It comes in many versions – as a large cake or cupcakes, and as gluten-free and even unbaked. It was also baked on the show Pečie Celé Slovensko, the Slovak version of The Great British Bake Off. The popular Opitý Františkán (Drunken Franciscan), also known as Opitý Izidor (Drunken Isidore), was part of the festive table in many families across Slovakia.
And let's not forget the staplest of staple Christmas meals: Kapustnica, sauerkraut soup.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
A TV ad signifying holidays
As Santa's red trucks are associated with Coca Cola, Kofola, the Czecho-Slovak version of the drink, brings Christmas to Slovakia with its legendary ad.
The ad was first aired 13 years ago. It shows a man with his small daughter running away from a wild boar. The ad, known as "the golden piggy" is used both in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. For many, Christmas starts when the ad is aired on their TV screens again. Learn more about it here.
Little girl from famous advertisement (source: Kofola ČeskoSlovensko a.s.)
Christmas language corner
If this is your first Slovak Christmas, you might want to learn a little of the holiday lingo. Don't fret, American Matthew J. Reynolds has you covered with his festive edition of the Slovak Matters column. For starters, the word Vianoce, which takes a plural verb, is a stumbling block. Strange as it sounds, Vianoce sú - literally Christmas are. Find out more about Christmassy Slovak-English vocabulary here.
Why there are public Christmas trees
There is a heart-warming story behind the tradition of public Christmas trees in Czechoslovakia. However, the story of Rudolf Těsnohlídek, the man behind the idea, is full of tragedy.
This year's Christmas tree in Hlavné Námestie square. (source: TASR)
Christmas on the slope or elsewhere
If for any reason you prefer not to celebrate Christmas, there are some things you can do instead. Here is an overview of popular ski resorts in Slovakia, complete with information on slope lengths, and of course prices.
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Join Christmas workshops and create festive decorations or watch the film by director Parajanov in Nová Cvernovka.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Listen to Christmas themed concerts, watch a popular festive movie, and more in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO SEE: Nuns, wine, and chaos: Student theatre’s farce hits the stage. English-language theatre has found its audience in Bratislava.
WHAT TO TRY: Slovník is its own reward or how reading the dictionary can also be funny.
WHAT TO READ: A Slovak juror on the Golden Globes: 'Movie stars are not accidents'.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice Christmas holidays with your loved ones, be it a regular family or chosen family.
