Christmas tradition in Serbia

What is Christmas ?• Christmas is day that we celebrate as day of

birth of Jesus Christ.

• This is not just an ordinary day. It is a day when no one is angry, when everyone’s happy.

When do we celebrate it ?

• We celebrate it on January 7th.

• We celebrate it differently because of differences in calendar.

Christmas Eve• On Christmas Eve everyone has

its own job. A man goes into the forest to take Yule, and women has to prepare a traditional dinner.

• That evening the house is sprinkled with straw to mimic the cave in Bethlehem where Christ was born according to legend.

When does celebration of Christmas begins ?

• In some areas, Christmas is welcomed.

• Family members spend the whole night at the table.

• Christmas begins when the first person who comes along brings yule.

Christmas and after Christmas fast.

• For Christmas, as the first day after the end of the Great Christmas fast, the table is full of fat food.

• You could always find this at every table: a roast, cabbage rolls, soup and a cake and small cakes

Christmas ‘’Cesnica”• ‘’Cesnica’’ a round ceremonial

bread or cake, is an indispensable part of Christmas lunch in the Serbian tradition.

• It is normal that in its dough are put a penny, according to local customs and other small items.

• It is believed that the person who finds the coin, the coin luck would follow them throughout the year. And whoever finds basil, will be healthy all year long, while the one who drew a grain of corn or wheat have bericet the year.

Believes• For Christmas is related belief that

everyone should start some work on that day.

• In some areas, pepole think that you should not quarrel with anyone or sleep because you will do that all year.

• If it rains on the Christmas, there is belief that year will be fertile.

• In some areas, it is believed that if the Yule throws sparks by itself there will be plenty of honey.

• On that day should plant a plant because it is believed that it will succed.

Presentation made by:

• Mihailo Bolović• Anja Stevanović• Veljko Milovanović