VANESSA LUJZA EMRÍŠKOVÁ

... Christmas is for Christians a celebration of Jesus Christ Birth in Belteheme, a celebration of him who came to redeem the world. Grulla, cake called, štedrák, cabbage soup with mushrooms, lentil soup or fish, the chain around the table, no poultry on the table, because it is said that if there was a poultry the happiness would fly away next year.

Other cutsom is cutting apples into halves, nut shells swimming on the water or putting money under the tablecloth. These all are superstitions connected with Christmas magic and sorcery, derived from pagan traditions that our familes keep from generation to generation.

Our Christmas... Christmas is not only three feast days. But it means the whole month of preparation. It is the feast of Christ - the King birth, when new year starts. All Christmas days carry an amount of magical energy.

Slovak Christmas poem... Načo ľudia oddávna čakali, to im už anjeli zvestovali, radujme sa, plesajme a Bohu ďakujme, nemluvniatku, pacholiatku spievajme. Original

ADVENT Advent means in Latin arrival, it is actually the expectation of coming Savior of the world. During the early Christianity began around the 11th century and began four weeks before Christmas Eve day. Advent has been dedicated to the spiritual exercises, meditation and fasting. Fun and games at that time are not very suitable, social life center on prays, various concerts and charitable events. Something about it...

Christmas Eve - 24 December On Christmas Eve, 24 December, until the evening people usually keep fasting and magic traditions relate it is said that to health, success, future harvests and personal life. It is the Eve of the feast of Christ's Birth. Foreign woman could not enter the house because it would mean disaster, and it was a bad sign, if something needs to borrow. Lent ends when the first star enters sky. The Christmas table is special too. Dinner is associated with many traditions that are adhered. At first people eat waffles with honey, a coinis put under the table cloth to have enagh money during the whole year. The apples, legumes and nuts are on each Christmas table. After dinner people exchange gifts to make our relatives happy. An apple symbolizes health, wisdom, nuts, small ornaments for girls beauty and future happiness, and coin meand success. At midnight a lot of people visit the famous Christmas Mass.

25 December – Christmas day 25 december is the day when we meet our relatives, the whole family and we stay together. Main Christmas Mass was held on 25 December.

26 December 26 december – St. Stephen´s Day people go and congratulate marry Christmas each other. Saint Stephen was an ardent follower of a herald of Christ's teaching, for which he was in 37 when the wall of Jerusalem crucified. He was also the patron of horses and carollers.

Advent Malacky... With the Advent, a series of related cultural and social events are held annually in towns and villages of our region. Some emphasize the spiritual meaning of Christmas, others have commercial importance. Every year in December everywhere in Malacky, you can hear Christmas carrols and Christmas punch smells everywhere. Advent cycle events in Malacky traditionally opens the first Advent candle lighting in the Franciscan church. 6 December is dedicated to Santa Claus events, which are intended for children. In the castle park every year during this period there is ice skating area made. On a small square of Christmas begin to sound tones and open the Christmas markets.