Christmas in Latvia

eTwinning project

«Christmas is coming»

Santa Claus

Children in Latvia believethat Santa Claus (alsoknown as Ziemassvētkuvecītis) brings theirpresents. The presents areput under the Christmastree. The presents areopened on during theEvening of Christmas Eveor on Christmas Day.

Getting the presents

Sometime to get apresent children haveto recite a short poemwhile standing next tothe Christmas Tree!Children might also geta present by singing,playing a musicalinstrument or doing adance!

Christmas tree

Latvia claims to be thehome of the firstChristmas Tree! Thefirst documented useof a evergreen tree atChristmas and NewYear celebrations is intown square of Riga,the capital of Latvia, inthe year 1510.

Christmas tree

Christmas trees in Latviacan be decorated in avariety of ways, buthanging Christmasornaments made ofnatural materials likestraw is one of the mosttraditional.

Christmas greettings

In Latvian

Happy/Merry Christmas

is

«Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus»

http://www.languagehelpers.com/words_phrases/Latvian/Learn.php?Language=Latvian&cat=37&scats=Latvian%20Translation&author=83&

phraseid=185

Christmas Meal

Latvian Christmas tables areknown for a laying out ofnine dishes. These dishesmust be eaten till midnightto retain one’s wealth. Thespecial Latvian ChristmasDay meal is cookedbrown/grey peas with bacon(pork) sauce, small pies,cabbage & sausage, baconrolls and gingerbread. Youdefinitely have to eat boiledgrey peas – if you do it, youwon’t have to cry the nextyear.

Christian traditions

Many of the Christian traditionsin Latvia are intertwined withearlier pagan traditions.Christmas Eve is a celebration ofthe birth of Jesus, but in manyfamilies it is also a celebration ofthe Winter Solstice - the timewhen days become longer andthe nights become shorter again.So on evening of December 24thor on morning of December25th families goes to the church.Usually people choose – 24th or

25th.

Merry

Christmas!

.