Czechs know a lot about holidays and fun. The common misconception that the Czech Republic is a country exclusively of ancient castles and ancient traditions is confusing. Undoubtedly, the Czech Republic has a rich historical heritage and there are indeed many echoes of the Middle Ages in this country. But this does not at all prevent the Czech Republic from organizing grand celebrations.

New Year- one of the largest holidays in the republic. On the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, music thunders all night, local and visiting groups dance, Czechs, together with guests of the capital, drink champagne and mulled wine under the Orloy chimes. People make wishes on the Charles Bridge and also admire the most beautiful and largest fireworks display in Europe. Restaurant ships flicker with lights on the Vltava. Christmas story continues until the morning.

New Year in the Czech Republic is celebrated only on December 31st. On January 1, Czechs celebrate another holiday - the Day of Restoration of Independence.

It would be surprising if old New Year traditions were not preserved in the Czech Republic. After all, even New Year’s Eve in the republic is called “Sylvester” in honor of the ancient legend about Pope Saint Sylvester. On New Year's Day in the Czech Republic, it has long been customary to give gifts and send cards with congratulations. IN New Year's Eve Czechs did not work, but vacationed with their families. Since then, almost nothing has changed: on Sylvester's Eve, Czechs do not work, give each other gifts and have fun with family and friends. The charming tradition of postcards has also been preserved. Only now she has acquired more modern look and now pictures with congratulations are sent electronically.

In the Czech Republic, as well as throughout the world, the New Year is celebrated with fireworks, dancing, songs and endless delicacies. Another specifically Czech ancient tradition that has come down to us is lentils or soup with small grains on the table on New Year's Eve. It is believed that this way there will be a lot of money next year. If you are a lover of real fun, beautiful scenery, hearty dishes and a warm atmosphere, then celebrating the New Year in the Czech Republic is one of the best options.

New Year traditions

We have already found out that the Czechs are great connoisseurs of fun and large-scale holidays, and they are also crazy about all sorts of ancient legends and customs. Now let's find out what New Year traditions are present in modern life Chekhov. So, what do Czechs do for New Year:

• Decorating the Christmas tree. On the central streets of the cities of the republic, Christmas trees are put up at the beginning of winter. But in houses, Christmas trees are always decorated on December 24: for Christmas, but Christmas trees remain symbols for the New Year. Many Czechs place a nativity scene (betlémek) under the Christmas tree - a set of figurines depicting biblical scenes - they symbolize the birth of Christ. As a rule, nativity scenes are made of wood. Some are made from paper and painted by hand.

Nativity scene - figurines depicting biblical scenes. They are placed under the Christmas tree.

The first nativity scene in the country appeared in 1560 in the Church of St. Clement in Prague.

• They collect more money on New Year's Day. Filling all the pockets of clothes with money on the eve of the holiday is an interesting and slightly strange custom. In this way, the Czechs “encourage” a comfortable life for next year.
• They don't meet Santa Claus! Instead of Santa Claus, other characters similar to him come to the Czechs. Saint Nicholas visits children on December 5th along with the devil and the angel. The guys tell Mikulas about how they behaved this year. If the child was obedient, the angel gives him a gift, and if he behaved badly, the devil punishes him with a bag of coal and ash. Also in the Czech Republic, the Christ Child comes to children and leaves them gifts under the Christmas tree. However, the guys never see him.

Mikulas, the Devil and the Angel are traditional characters for Christmas in the Czech Republic.

According to ancient legends, Saint Nicholas was a bishop in Turkey. He was the patron and guardian of children, as well as sailors and ferrymen. Mikulas died on December 6, 350.

• Sending postcards. Postcards are an immortal tradition that Czechs have been following for several centuries. On New Year's Eve (or a few days before the holiday), local residents send each other postcards with beautiful or funny pictures, joint photographs and nice wishes. Czechs often combine Christmas and New Year wishes in such cards.
• Celebrating New Year in the mountains. Not long ago, it became extremely popular in the Czech Republic to celebrate New Year in the mountains. Families and groups of friends rent a house there for 3-4 days. New Year holidays in the mountains they are so loved by Czechs and guests of the country because of the magnificent scenery and a lot of entertainment. What is it worth just to go snowboarding or skiing! In addition, ski resorts offer a fun New Year's program.
• They believe in a lucky number. The lucky number for the New Year in the Czech Republic is 9. That is why the Czechs try to prepare 9 festive dishes and gather 9 guests at the table
• Watching TV. Surprisingly, Czechs, just like us, love to watch Alexander Rowe’s fairy tale “Morozko” on New Year’s Eve. But the president’s congratulations are broadcast only at noon on January 1.
• Eating traditional sweets. Traditional New Year's sweets in the Czech Republic are gingerbread, buns and vanilla cones. Not a single family can live without these delicacies, but they all bake them according to their own recipe.

Gingerbread is a must-have sweet for the New Year in the Czech Republic.

• Celebrate with a big group. If previously most Czechs celebrated the New Year in family circle, then now it’s customary to celebrate big company. These could be relatives, friends, colleagues and just strangers in the main square of the city.
• Prepare for festive table special dishes. On New Year's Eve, there must be carp and lentils on the table, symbolizing happiness and good luck. Selling carp is another well-established custom. Carp sales in the Czech Republic begin a few days before Christmas. Despite the fact that carp is considered a Christmas dish, they are sold on the streets and in shops almost until the New Year. It is also customary to serve pork dishes on New Year's Day. But Czechs don’t eat chicken, duck or turkey on New Year’s Eve.

Lentil soup is a New Year's dish in the Czech Republic. Lentils symbolize prosperity, happiness and good luck.

Gifts for the New Year: what and where to buy

At Czech Christmas and before New Year's fairs you can find a wide variety of souvenirs and gifts. In addition, Czech gifts will cost quite a budget. So, what can you buy at New Year's fairs in the Czech Republic:

• Famous Czech Christmas decorations Made from real blown glass. The assortment includes a huge number of bright and extraordinary glass figurines in the form of people, animals, flowers and fairy-tale characters.
• New Year's decorations made of bugles (small glass beads). It was in the Czech Republic that such Christmas tree decorations first appeared in the town of Ponikla in the 19th century.

Blown glass balls - thin handmade a real master.

The ancient tradition has survived to this day and is continued by the Ratius company. The company tries to adhere to a unique technology for making jewelry. Nowadays Ratius Christmas tree decorations are popular all over the world.

• Candlestick houses are another charming New Year's decoration. The products are handmade from red clay in the form of miniature Czech houses. There is a candle inside the souvenirs, and you can pour aromatic oil. Thus, you will get a full-fledged aroma lamp. If you want to please and pleasantly surprise your loved ones, then such a house is a great option.
• Puppets are also traditional Czech toys. They are handmade and sold in souvenir shops, toy stores and street fairs.

A candlestick house is a traditional New Year's gift in the Czech Republic.

If you don’t have much time for shopping and don’t want to linger at fairs, we recommend visiting the most popular shopping centers in the capital:

• “Palladium” is a huge shopping center located on Republic Square. This shopping center houses more than 100 stores with a wide variety of gift items, New Year's decorations glass and traditional souvenirs.
• Obchodní dům Kotva is a not so large, but cozy shopping center directly opposite the Palladium. There are several fashion stores with clothes and shoes, and many small souvenir shops.
• Nový Smíchov is a popular shopping center, which is located near the historical part of the city (address: Plzeňská 8, 150 00 Praha 5-Anděl). Here you will find a large assortment of gifts made of glass, crystal, and wood.

Palladium and Kotva are located close to each other in the center of Prague. There are other supermarkets and shops nearby where you can choose gifts. And it’s worth buying gifts during Christmas and New Year. Moreover, they take place not only in shopping centers, but also in individual brand stores.

Now you know that:

1. The Czech Republic is famous not only for its rich historical heritage, but also for its large-scale and fun celebrations.
2. Czechs still adhere to many old New Year traditions. For example, they send each other postcards.
3. Santa Claus does not come to the Czechs.
4. In the Czech Republic, it is customary to celebrate the New Year in a large company, in contrast to the family holiday - Christmas.
5. From the Czech Republic you can bring interesting and unique gifts for the New Year (bema glass toys, candlestick houses).
6. You can buy New Year's souvenirs and presents in the Czech Republic at street fairs or in shopping centers.

New Year's mood and gifts that you have always dreamed of!

Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket és boldog Új Évet kívánunk!

We wish you a nice Christmas holiday and a happy New Year!

Bé ké s, boldogkará csonyi ü nnepeket é seredmé nyekbengazdag ú j é vetkí vá nunk!

We wish you a happy Christmas holiday and a prosperous New Year!

Kö szö njü kamú lt é vbentanú sí totbizalmukot, kellemeskará csonyi ü nnepet é ssikerekbengazdag, boldog ú j é vetkí vá nunk!

Thank you for your trust! We wish you a nice Christmas holiday and a happy new year!

BoldogKará csonyt é seredmé nyes ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk Ö nnek! Kö szö njü keddigibizalmá t é sremé ljü k, jö vő reiselé gedett ü gyfeleink, partnereinkkö zö tt ü dvö zö lhetjü k Ö nt!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We thank you for your trust and hope that we will continue our cooperation in the new year!

Bé ké s, boldogkará csonyi ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag, ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk!

We wish you a happy Christmas holiday and a successful new year!

Bé ké s, boldog ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag Ú j É vetkí vá nunk Ö nnek é sCsalá djá nak!

We wish you a happy Christmas holiday and a successful New Year to you and your families!

Kellemes ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag ú jesztendő tkivá nunk!

We wish you a pleasant Christmas holiday and a successful new year!

Kellemeskará csonyi ü nnepeket é sboldog ú j é vet!

Have a nice Christmas holiday and a happy new year!

Kö szö njü keddigiegyü ttmű kö dé sü ket! Kellemes ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk!

Thank you for your cooperation! We wish you a nice Christmas holiday and a happy new year!

Kö zelegaz é jfé l, ismé telteltegy é v, szí vü nkbenfelé bredegy- egyré giemlé k. Felidé zzü kazelmú ltszé ppillanatokat, atovaszá lltmegnem é lt, tű nő á lmokat. Titokbanremé ljü k, boldog é vekvá rnak, nemleszbennetö bbé szomorú sá g- bá nat. Kö szö ntjü khá takö vetkező é vet, kí vá njuk, hogy á lmunksose é rjenvé get.

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed, and old memories are awakening in our hearts. Let us remember all the wonderful moments that passed and seemed like a dream to us. We secretly hope that they are waiting for us happy years, in which there will be no sadness and adversity. Therefore, we celebrate the New Year and wish that our dreams and dreams never reach the end! Happy New Year!

AdjonIstenmindenjó t, Jobb é vet, minttavalyvolt. Mitő lfé lü nk, mensenmeg, Amitvá runklegyenmeg. Szeretetet, bé kessé get, Egé szsé get. Boldog Ú j É vet!

Grant, Lord, all good things, grant a better year than the last. Let what we fear disappear, and let what we wait for come. Love, peace, health. Happy New Year!

Kö zelegaz é jfé l, ismé telteltegy é v, szí vü nkbenfelé bredegy- egyré giemlé k. Kö szö ntjü khá takö vetkező é vet, kí vá njuk, hogy á lmunksose é rjenvé get. Ehhez kívánok nektek Boldog Új Évet!

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed, old memories are awakening in our hearts. Happy New Year, wish your dreams never come to an end. Happy New Year!

Virradjonrá dszé pnap, kö szö ntsö nrá djó é v, kedveshajlé kodbakö ltö zzö najó lé t. Alelkedbebolddogsá g, aszí vedbebé ke, eztkí vá nomNekedaz ú j é vre.

May a beautiful day bloom over you, may it greet you good year, may grace come upon you. And happiness reigns in your soul, peace reigns in your heart. This is what I wish for you in the new year!

Kö zelegaz é jfé lmá rmegintelteltegy é v ! Szí vü nkben. felé brednekaré giemlé kek! Legyé lboldog. ebbenaz é vben ! É ntisztaszí vembő lkí vá nokmindenkinekBoldog Ú j É vet!

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed again! Old memories come back to life in our hearts! Be happy this year! From the bottom of my heart I wish everyone a happy new year!

Eljö ttaz é vnekutolsó napja, jó kí vá nsá gokattö ltö kapezsgő spoharadba. Legyé lnagyonszerencsé s, gazdag é svidá m, Talá ljonRá daz ú j é vbenazigazibolddogsá g. BUÉK.

The last day has come, filling your glass of champagne good wishes. Be happy, rich and cheerful! May true happiness find you in the new year! I wish you a happy new year!

BoldogKará csonyt!

Merry Christmas!

KellemesKará csonyi Ü nnepeket é sBoldog Ú j É vetor simplyB.U.É K!

Literally: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

BoldogKará csonyt é sBoldog Ú j É vet!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Boldogkará csonyt! Kellemeskará csonyi ü nnepeketmindenkinek!

Merry Christmas! Have a nice Christmas holiday!

Ö rö mö dsoklegyen, bá natodsemmi, segí tsenazIstenbolddognaklenny. Legyé lmindigvidá m ö rü ljmindenszé pnek, BoldogKará csonytkí vá noknaked!

Be happy, let disagreements pass you by, may the Lord help you to be happy! Always be cheerful and enjoy everything beautiful, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Kelemeskará csonyi Ü nnepeketmidenismerö sö mnek!

Happy Christmas holidays to all my friends!

Ahogyahó piheszá llkitartottkezedre, ú gyszá lljonfü ledbeangyalok é neke.
Melengesseszí vedetsoksokszeretet í gykí vá noknakedboldog ü nnepeket!

As a snowflake falls on your hand, let the song of angels be heard in your ears. May your heart be warmed with lots and lots of love! I wish you a very happy Christmas holiday!

Csillagfé nyes á lmaidvá ljanakvaló ra, legyen ü nneplelkednekmindennap é s ó ra. Kerü ljeabá nat ö rö kreelhá back, é rjenannyibolddogsá g, mitembercsakkí vá nhat!

May all your dreams come true, may every day and every hour be a holiday. May disagreements always bypass your home, and may there be as much happiness as a person can wish for!

Ahó alattalszanakahá zak, Azegé szvilá gcsupavará zslat. S, mintvalamitü ndé rá lom. Eljö nhozzá nkszentKará csony. Bé ké s ü nnepeketkivá nok!

Houses sleep under the snow, and the whole world is magical, and Christmas comes to us like a fairytale dream. I wish you a happy Christmas holiday!

Mennyeiszeretetjá rja á tafö ldet, Mosolyogj , ü nnepelj, felejtsdelakö nnyet. Angyalká krepdessé kkö rbeaTefá dat, Boldogsá g, bé kessé g á ldjamegahá back! BOLDOGKARÁ CSONYT!

There is so much love on earth, smile, celebrate and forget about tears. Angels circle around your Christmas tree, blessing your home for happiness and peace. Merry Christmas!

Kiskará csony, nagykará csony, Angyalcsó kjará tokszá lljon. hozzonnektekmindenjó t, necsakalmá t, mogyoró t. Boldogsá got, bé kessé get, szé pjö vő t, melegsé get. Bé ké sKará csonytkí vá nunknaked!

Little Christmas, big Christmas, angel kisses you, may he bring you all the good things, not just apples and peanuts. Happiness, peace, a wonderful future, warmth. We wish you a peaceful Christmas!

Akkorszé pakará csony, hafehé rbentalá lom, akkorszé paz é letem, hamegosztod é nvelem!

Then it's a wonderful Christmas if it's white. And my life is wonderful if you share it with me!

Thank you to the teachers for their help in creating this post. Hungarian language Maria and Julia)

New knowledge - new opportunities!

New Year - In the studio Elena Patlatia and Monika Chevelova. The topic of today's lesson is New Year - New rock

Monika, in Russia they recently celebrated the Old New Year, let’s try to figure out the calendar - kalendář.

Lena, you might be surprised, but originally the New Year was celebrated on March 1st - 1. března, on this day the Roman consuls took office.

Where did the first of January come from then?

In 153 BC, the consuls took office on January 1st - 1. ledna, and Gaius Julius Caesar accepted the first of January as the beginning of the calendar. The so-called Julian calendar - juliánský kalendář- acted until 1582, after which the Pope - papež Gregory 13 reformed it, and the Gregorian calendar appeared - gregoriánský kalendář.

However Gregorian calendar Not everyone accepted.

Yes, for example, Orthodox Church - pravoslavna cirkev She never abandoned the Julian calendar. In principle, we can say that in the Middle Ages the new year was celebrated in different countries in different days. For example, in France they adhered to the ancient Roman calendar - starořímský kalendář and celebrated the New Year on March 1st. In other countries, March 19th was considered the beginning of the year; according to calculations, this is the day of the creation of the world - stvorení světa. In the Czech Republic, even before the 17th century, the New Year was celebrated on December 25 - based on the winter solstice - zimni slunovrat. Only in the 17th century was the beginning of the secular year established - občanský rock on January 1st.

Monica, but there is something mystical in saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new year.

It’s absolutely true that some stories can happen exclusively on New Year’s Eve, remember?

Due to the mysticism of the end and beginning of the year, there are many superstitions - pověra. People, for example, believe that how they celebrate the New Year is how they will spend the whole year. This is reflected in the Czech proverb Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok- As for the New Year, so for the whole year. Therefore, people tried to avoid quarrels hádka, and carried money in their pockets. If as the first guest - host a child came to the house - dítě or a young woman - mladá žena or a man - muž, then there will be happiness in this house all year long. However, the old woman stará žena brought bad luck into the house - smůla.

Monika, we didn’t talk at all about how the New Year is celebrated in the Czech Republic.

děda Mráz we do not have. However, the Russian "Morozko" - "Mrazik" still visits Czech houses, since the Russian fairy tale “Morozko” is very popular in the Czech Republic, which is usually shown on television on December 31 or January 1.

New rock Unlike Christmas, it is not a family holiday, it is a holiday of fun. At midnight - o půlnoci champagne flows everywhere - šampaňské, people throw confetti at each other - konfety, explosions of firecrackers are heard - petardy, and in all corners of the Czech Republic there are huge fireworks - ohňostroj.

In Czech, Christmas is called Vanoce. The Czechs have been preparing for it since December 4 - St. Barbara's Day. Many people place branches of cherry trees in water as a kind of fortune telling. If the branch turns green by Christmas, all plans for the new year will definitely come true.

December 6, St. Nicholas, mummers are walking around all over Prague: the Bishop in a tiara with a staff, Mikulas, the Angel and the Devil. They ask the children if they behaved well, and then treat them with sweets.

In a couple of weeks, Christmas will take over all of Prague. There are Christmas concerts, sales, and celebrations everywhere. And even on the quietest outskirts you can see posters “Vesele Vanoce!” ("Merry Christmas!"). Owners of shops and restaurants consider it their duty to decorate the doors of their establishments with a Christmas tree. Bethlems appear, images of the Bethlehem manger where Jesus was born.

In the squares of Prague, in churches and even in the windows of houses, compositions with the baby, Mary, and the Magi appear. The townspeople try their best; the figures are made of wood, straw, gingerbread and paper. The largest betlem is placed on Old Town Square. Reality is given by living sheep. And if in Italy the figurine of the Child Christ appears in the manger only after Christmas midnight, then the Czechs put the baby in immediately.

Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square turn into huge festive markets for Christmas. Rows of souvenirs appear: candles, ceramic toys, copper bells, wooden dolls and musical Santa Clauses, jester's hats.

Almost all souvenirs are Chinese, except for candlesticks, which are forged right in front of the customer.

From Prague, Bohemian crystal, beer mugs, plates, cups with city views, original photographs and paintings, T-shirts, puppets and wooden toys are brought as souvenirs. All this can be found and bought in the area of ​​the street. Celetna and the Golden Cross in the Old Town, where there is a whole pedestrian zone with shops, boutiques, stalls and benches.

New Year's sales begin earlier every year; as early as October you can see “sleva” signs. By the way, be careful with your money, they say Prague is a pickpocket's paradise. You can see posters in the subway: under the photo with a mountain of wallets there is the inscription: “Thank you for our rich Christmas!” with the signature: “Union of Pickpockets of the Czech Republic.”

The smell of mulled wine is in the air on the streets of Prague these days. Grog, mulled wine and punch are sold throughout the city.

The main Czech Christmas tradition. A few days before December 24, vats appear on Prague streets and intersections in which “carps” - large fish up to 1 m long - splash around.

In America there is turkey. In Russia - Olivier salad. A In the Czech Republic, it’s impossible to imagine Christmas without... fish. Every family always prepares Christmas carp for the table. They are grown in special ponds and then sold alive in aquariums and tubs in stores, at Christmas markets and simply on the streets.

Main course

Many buy carp a couple of days before the holiday and let the temporary pet splash around in the bath. There are thousands of recipes for cooking carp, from simple frying to marinating in beer.

The Czechs have fried carp for Christmas, the same tradition as we have Olivier for the New Year. If you ate river carp on Christmas evening, you can be calm: prosperity will be with you all year. They say that fish bones should not be thrown away, but rather buried in your garden to preserve well-being. To make money, you need to put the scales of the eaten carp in your wallet.

In parallel with the tradition of eating carp, there is another one: After the holiday, the unharmed fish can be peacefully and solemnly released into the river. However, the idea of ​​eating carp is incomparably more popular.
The Czech Republic is not the only country where carp is eaten at Christmas. This custom also exists in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. But such a fishing frenzy cannot be found anywhere else, and Czech carp has become a kind of quality mark for neighboring countries where the Czechs export fish.

According to Christian tradition, you can sit down at the table no earlier than the first star appears in the sky. Until this time, you can only eat sauerkraut soup. If you do everything correctly, you can see the mysterious golden pig in the evening ( zlaté prasátko).

On Christmas Eve or “Generous Evening” everyone gathers as a family around a large table. “Carp” is eaten with potato salad; on the table there are always roasted chestnuts, bacon in sauce, raisin bread made from nine strips, painted gingerbread cookies, dumplings, and nut “hornet’s nests.” They sit at the table with the first star, because whoever fasted before Christmas will have a golden pig come to him and bring doubly happiness.

Alcohol should not be consumed on Christmas Eve. The number of people at the table during dinner must be even.

You cannot leave the table before the end of the meal: according to legend, the first person to get up after Christmas dinner will be the first person present to die. That's why everyone had to rise at the same time.

And if you sit at the table with your back to the door or with your shoelaces tied, this is guaranteed to bring thieves into your house.

The Christmas feast is full old signs. For example, an even number of guests must be present at the table; in extreme cases, an empty plate with cutlery must be placed.

A carp scale is placed under each plate for good luck, and sometimes a small coin is added to it. It happens that the scales are hidden in a wallet and carried with them all year. During a festive dinner, it is considered a bad omen to leave the table; the hostess should have everything at hand.

Young people who want to get married next year should sit on a corner during a gala feast, and in order for a girl to get married, she needs to cut a piece of butter from a new briquette during a gala dinner, then she will receive a husband with a peaceful character.

If during a Christmas treat one of the guests suddenly has a ringing in their ear, it means that that person will be talked about well throughout the year. When you go to Christmas dinner with friends, you shouldn't come back for a forgotten walking stick or shoes, otherwise you will have to suffer misfortunes all year.

On December 24, before sitting down to the table, in Prague it is customary to go with children to the bank of the Vltava, where sellers are already waiting for them. They also sell live carp, but not for the fish to be eaten. This is where the tradition of releasing the purchase into the river was born. Children especially enjoy this entertainment. Maybe that’s why the Czechs call Christmas Eve Generous Day.

To stay healthy throughout the next year, on the morning of December 24, you need to wash yourself in a cold stream.

On the same day, Christmas Eve in the Czech Republic - Bear Christmas, the Czechs traditionally feed the bears with sweets. Bears live in the fortress moat in the city of Cesky Krumlov.

And the next day, according to tradition, the goose is baked and various cookies are baked. Baking it becomes a whole ritual in which everyone at home takes part.

On December 25, at exactly midnight, the Orloj clock opens on the town hall tower. The bells of Prague churches ring with the crow of a mechanical rooster. Three masses are held on Christmas: a symbol of the birth of Christ in the bosom of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and the soul of believers. Most people in the Basilica of St. George, Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious, Bethlehem Chapel. You should reserve a place in the church in advance; the sculpture of “Ezulatko”, or the Infant Jesus, is kept here.

December 26 in the Czech Republic is called St. Stepan, the day of revelry of carolers. There is a funny custom, on this day careless men are driven out of the house. Previously, they were actually kicked out of the house, but now they simply put a bundle next to the bed as a hint.

On December 27, the day of John the Evangelist, a ceremony of wine purification takes place in the Czech Republic.

After the ringing of the bells, Prague plunges into silence! Since December 24, many companies have been closed, everything stops working at lunchtime - clubs, museums, restaurants and supermarkets, and around 18:00 city transport operates in standby mode. After this, on the street you can only meet policemen, tourists and taxis who came to Prague for a Christmas fairy tale.

Life returns to normal on December 27, and with the opening of stores, transport begins to operate. Closer to the New Year, there are more visitors to the city than citizens, because... locals leave Prague for Christmas week.

The Czech Republic protects nature even on Christmas. Fluffy Christmas trees, miniature pines and even royal firs are sold here exclusively in pots. Trees in decorated vessels are placed throughout Prague: in squares, at the entrances to hotels, shops, restaurants and near every entrance.

The Czech Republic is the only country in the world where at Christmas you can not only eat, but also “listen to Fish”. IN in this case Jakub Jan Ryba is a famous Czech composer, author of the Christmas mass.

Fortune telling is inextricably linked with the Christmas holidays in the Czech Republic. On Christmas Eve, the owner put a glass under the table and poured some water into it; if the water decreased after dinner, it meant next year it would be dry, and if there was more water, they believed that the year would be rainy.

The harvest was predicted by the stars. If on Christmas Eve the sky was strewn with stars, it meant that the chickens would lay a lot of eggs and the harvest would be rich.

A Czech girl ate an apple on Christmas Eve, standing on the threshold of her house, and if a man walked past the house first, it meant that she would get married in the New Year. In addition, the girl threw the shoe over her head towards the door: if the toe of the shoe pointed towards the door, then she would get married this year.

Fate was often predicted from dreams at Christmas. For example, before going to bed, lying in bed, a girl had to hold her hand over her head, as if she was sowing, and say: “I sow, I sow flax, come, my dear, here, before.” broad daylight" In which direction the girl sowed, she had to turn in that direction. Whoever appears in a dream will become a husband.

A person who does not eat for the whole Generous Day may see a golden pig in the evening (apparently from hunger), which will signify a happy and financial future year!

And what else?

Usually served with carp potato salad or potatoes fried with garlic and sometimes with mushrooms. Some families also like to serve fish soup. Dinner is ending dessert, however, does not necessarily have to be traditionally Czech, it could be apple strudel.

Czech bread vanočka It was also once considered exclusively for Christmas, but has become so popular that it can be bought at any time of the year. However, this does not prevent you from treating yourself to it on holiday.

Christmas for Czechs, as for most Europeans, is a quiet and family holiday. On the festive night, children receive gifts, but not from Santa Claus or the pagan brothers of Father Frost, but directly from the baby Jesus ( Ježíšek).

Unlike other Christmas entities, he does not have any external special signs, but it is known that he enters the house through the window, and he, like all other colleagues, can write letters. On the last day, it was once customary to sing Carols and share food with the poor, but now on Christmas days the towns come to a standstill, everyone spends time with loved ones and relatives, and it is probably more correct to consider this day as another meal in the festive series.

Prague is a city that is beautiful in its own way at any time of the year. But only winter will allow you to feel like the hero of a real fairy tale.