Christmas is a solemn, festive day not only for believers, but also for many atheists. On this bright holiday, people wish each other all the best, decorate the house, serve traditional dishes for each people to the table. In different countries of Europe, Christmas is celebrated in different ways, in accordance with ancient customs.
Instruction manual
1
In Italy, where the overwhelming majority of the population are Christians (Catholics), the celebration of Christmas is taken extremely seriously. Before the holiday, each family carefully cleans the house, and on Christmas night goes to church for worship (mass). Returning from mass, the family sits down at the festive table, which must include dishes such as white beans, lentils, beans with honey, pasta - pasta made from hard flour with walnut sauce, and rice cooked in almond milk. Goose is also prepared at will.
2
Most Spaniards are also Catholics. But their Christmas celebration is much more fun and noisy than the Italians. Many Spaniards, dressed up in carnival costumes, dance before the Mass at the church doors, play scenes from performances. On Christmas night, it is customary to eat a lot of sweet treats (so that all year until the next Christmas it will be just as sweet, that is, light, carefree), so confectionery shops work until dawn. Pork, ham, almond soup, chestnuts, honey-nut halva are always served at the festive table.
3
In Sweden, preparations for Christmas begin with a general cleaning. In many villages and small cities, until now, Christmas trees are covered with juniper or spruce branches, and a wreath of straw bundles decorated with colorful ribbons is hung over the festive table. In large cities, few people observe this tradition. Fried goose with apples and plums, fried pork with potatoes, fruit pies, fish are served at the festive table. The greatest chic is considered to be prepared for Christmas fried pork head and boiled tongue, stuffed with pieces of lard and vegetables.
4
Czechs must decorate the Christmas tree before Christmas. After giving gifts to each other, the family sits at the festive table. The main dish is carp baked with caraway seeds. Even people who do not like fish try not to retreat from folk traditions this evening and always cook carp. Fortune telling is often arranged after dinner.
5
In Germany, according to an old tradition, lush Christmas markets are arranged before the holiday. Merchants dressed up in medieval costumes sell all kinds of food, mulled wine and Christmas-tree decorations. Before the gala dinner, the children sing the Christmas songs in chorus. The roast goose and sweet cake with nuts, raisins and marzipan are always served on the table.
