Latvian Christmas Latvian Christmas celebration traditions.celebration traditions.

The author:The author: Krišjānis PličsKrišjānis Pličs

Christmas is one of the most important phases of course, an Christmas is one of the most important phases of course, an important ritual, which should provide a coherent and well-important ritual, which should provide a coherent and well-being of all future work on the course, a gorgeous moment being of all future work on the course, a gorgeous moment of the winter-day passage, and therefore the more welcome.of the winter-day passage, and therefore the more welcome.

Christmas falls in the ancient agrarian cult of the cycle and is Christmas falls in the ancient agrarian cult of the cycle and is celebrated the winter solstice around December 23, the time celebrated the winter solstice around December 23, the time when the days are shorter, but the night had reached its when the days are shorter, but the night had reached its maximum length when the sun cuts into the side of the maximum length when the sun cuts into the side of the spring.spring.

In addition to Christmas in some places the name is also In addition to Christmas in some places the name is also found else that applies to the first festival evening and night, found else that applies to the first festival evening and night, knows how, Bluķa vakars, ķūķu (ķoču, kūķu, ķūcu) vakars.knows how, Bluķa vakars, ķūķu (ķoču, kūķu, ķūcu) vakars. Name 'Log Pulling evening' recalls the ancient ritual activity - Name 'Log Pulling evening' recalls the ancient ritual activity - log rolling, mimicking the course of the sun, but 'cake party' log rolling, mimicking the course of the sun, but 'cake party' - the same ancient ritual of Christmas dishes, which were - the same ancient ritual of Christmas dishes, which were promoted wealth and prosperity. But no dainas barely promoted wealth and prosperity. But no dainas barely survived the ancient names of those mentioned are only survived the ancient names of those mentioned are only Christmas.Christmas.

Christmas beliefs.Christmas beliefs.

In order not to lack of money ever, it should not be Christmas all In order not to lack of money ever, it should not be Christmas all the money issue.the money issue.

Christmas and New Year's Eve nine times to eat for the whole year Christmas and New Year's Eve nine times to eat for the whole year for nothing. After a meal full of dishes throughout the night to for nothing. After a meal full of dishes throughout the night to leave on the table.leave on the table.

Christmas night, need to put bread on the table, they never want.Christmas night, need to put bread on the table, they never want.

Christmas night, strangers are not kept in the house.Christmas night, strangers are not kept in the house.

If Christmas is not undermined by sled at night, they are running If Christmas is not undermined by sled at night, they are running around all night.around all night.

If you wake up early on Christmas morning, all year If you wake up early on Christmas morning, all year roundround nonott sleep sleep..

What first got up on Christmas morning, this whole year will go What first got up on Christmas morning, this whole year will go first to the work ahead.first to the work ahead.

Christmas morning, all work must be made in the dark, then Christmas morning, all work must be made in the dark, then continue all the good works will succeed.continue all the good works will succeed.

The first Christmas morning, children must be protected so that The first Christmas morning, children must be protected so that they they dont run away dont run away the neighbors, because the work is no longer the neighbors, because the work is no longer neveicoties.neveicoties.

If the first Christmas Eve in heaven many stars, then next summer If the first Christmas Eve in heaven many stars, then next summer will be a lot of mushrooms.will be a lot of mushrooms.

If a lot of snow up to Christmas, the summer harvest will be chaff, If a lot of snow up to Christmas, the summer harvest will be chaff, but if after Christmas a lot of snow, the harvest will be corn.but if after Christmas a lot of snow, the harvest will be corn.

What time is before Christmas, there is again the summer before What time is before Christmas, there is again the summer before midsummer.midsummer.

If the run up to Christmas a lot of snow, then to the Midsummer will If the run up to Christmas a lot of snow, then to the Midsummer will be a lot of rain.be a lot of rain.

If the deep snow at Christmas, then at Midsummer expected wet If the deep snow at Christmas, then at Midsummer expected wet period, if shallow - at Midsummer beautiful wall time.period, if shallow - at Midsummer beautiful wall time.

If after Christmas a good time, then after midsummer will also be a If after Christmas a good time, then after midsummer will also be a good time.good time.

If you still see around Christmas time a black ground, then around If you still see around Christmas time a black ground, then around the forthcoming Midsummer it will be the white areas from late the forthcoming Midsummer it will be the white areas from late frosts.frosts.

Christmas treesChristmas trees Traditionally Latvian decorations for Christmas trees have branches Traditionally Latvian decorations for Christmas trees have branches

and ornaments made of feathers and eggs, straw, bent, fruits, and ornaments made of feathers and eggs, straw, bent, fruits, vegetables and berries. Is presenting gifts, which are usually placed vegetables and berries. Is presenting gifts, which are usually placed under the tree. To receive the gift often are required to recite a under the tree. To receive the gift often are required to recite a poem or sing a song. It is assumed that Santa Claus brings gifts poem or sing a song. It is assumed that Santa Claus brings gifts (most recent times, also known as Santa Claus or Santa Claus), (most recent times, also known as Santa Claus or Santa Claus), who sometimes helps or Snow White Dwarfs.who sometimes helps or Snow White Dwarfs.

Traditional Christmas dishesTraditional Christmas dishes Latvians have long been known as a big eater in the nation. Well-Latvians have long been known as a big eater in the nation. Well-

covered table has always been our most popular holiday integral covered table has always been our most popular holiday integral part. As Christmas approaches, the time is also important for family part. As Christmas approaches, the time is also important for family holidays, again we start to think and plan what to make festive table. holidays, again we start to think and plan what to make festive table. Whatever the choice of each family, but probably rarely on the table Whatever the choice of each family, but probably rarely on the table the discontinuation of traditional Christmas dishes such as peas, the discontinuation of traditional Christmas dishes such as peas, roast and, of course, gingerbread.roast and, of course, gingerbread.

roast gooseGingerbread

Koča or ķūķisTaukšķēti peas

bacon cakePork roast