New Year greetings in Czech. A post that will help you wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Hungarian

New Year - Elena Patlatia and Monika Chevelova in the studio. The topic of today's lesson is New Year - New rock

Monica, Russia recently celebrated the old New Year, let's try to figure out the calendar - calendar.

Lena, you will probably be surprised, but initially the New Year was celebrated on March 1st - 1. brezna On this day, the Roman consuls took office.

Where did the first of January come from then?

In 153 BC the consuls took office on the 1st of January - 1. ledna, and Gaius Julius Caesar adopted the first of January as the beginning of the calendar. The so-called Julian calendar - juliansky calendar- acted until 1582, after which the pope - papez Gregory 13 reformed it, and the Gregorian calendar appeared - gregorianský calendar.

However, not everyone accepted the Gregorian calendar.

Yes, for example, the Orthodox Church - pravoslavna circev The Julian calendar was never abandoned. In principle, we can say that in the Middle Ages the New Year was celebrated in different countries on different days. For example, in France they adhered to the ancient Roman calendar - starorimsky calendar and celebrated the New Year on March 1st. In other countries, March 19 was considered the beginning of the year, according to estimates, this is the day of the creation of the world - stvoreni sveta. In the Czech Republic, even before the 17th century, the New Year was celebrated on December 25 - based on the winter solstice - zimni slunovrat. Only in the 17th century the beginning of the secular year was established - občansky rok on January 1st.

Monica, but there is something mystical about saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new year.

That's right, some stories can only take place on New Year's Eve, remember?

In connection with the mysticism of the end and beginning of the year, there are many superstitions - povera. People, for example, believe that how they celebrate the new year is how they will spend the whole year. This is reflected in the Czech proverb Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok- As for the New Year, so for the whole year. Therefore, people tried to avoid quarrels hadka and carried money in their pockets. If as the first guest - host a child came to the house - ditE or a young woman mlada žena or a man muž, then in this house there will be happiness all year. However, the old woman stara žena brought bad luck into the house - smula.

Monika, we didn't talk about how the New Year is celebrated in the Czech Republic.

děda Mraz we do not have. However, the Russian "Morozko" - "Mrazik" still visits Czech houses, as the Russian fairy tale "Morozko" is very popular in the Czech Republic, which is usually shown on television on December 31 or January 1st.

New rock unlike Christmas, it is not a family holiday, it is a holiday of fun. At midnight - about pulnoci champagne flows everywhere sampanské, people throw confetti at each other - confetti, explosions of firecrackers are heard - petardy, and in all corners of the Czech Republic there are huge fireworks - ohňostroj.

Hey Libor! If you remember, then you and I parted on the fact that today we will continue to prepare for Christmas.

I remember. Only I would like, given that this is the last lesson of the Czech language this year, that we, together with our radio listeners, repeated what we had already learned.

Libor, but that's impossible! Are you going to repeat everything that we have told during the year within the framework of one program?!

Of course not. Today we have only holiday themes: Christmas and New Year!

Actually, you and I were planning to go shopping for presents....

Here we go, especially since this is the last weekend before the holiday. Golden.

Not a weekend, but Sunday.

That's right. So in the Czech Republic it is customary to call the last three Sundays before Christmas: bronze - bronzová, silver - stribrna and golden - zlata.

We also talked about the fact that in the Czech Republic gifts for Christmas bring Jezišek. This is the newborn Jesus Christ. After all, Christmas is the birth of Jesus.

We also talked about a good tradition, when on the eve of Christmas all the children write letters Jeziskovi asking them to give them what they want. Those children who do not know how to write draw their wishes. In this regard, there is even such a pre-Christmas wish: "bohatého Ježíška"!

We already talked about the traditional Christmas dinner in the last program. But we haven’t moved on to gifts yet.

Let's do it right. So, December 24 is the eve of Christmas, because Christmas is supposed to be on the night of December 24-25 according to the Catholic calendar. So, December 24 - Štědrý večer.

I remember how you said that on this day you can’t eat until the first star appears in the sky, in a word, before dinner. He also said that if you don’t eat all day, then Štědrý večer you will see the golden pig.

There is such a belief.

Let's skip dinner already. We have already discussed all the menus.

In many families, they symbolically start an alarm clock so that after dinner the bell will ring - this Jezišek brought gifts. And if today we have already dedicated our program to Christmas traditions, then we must not forget that on this day they sing “ Koledy". On this day, children go from house to house and sing Christmas carols, and people thank them and give them fruits, sweets, and coins.

So sing us, please, one of them.

Probably won't be able to sing, but I'll read:

Dej Bůh štěsti tomu domu,
My zpíváme, vime komu:
Malemu děťátku,
Kristu Jezulatku,
Dnes v Betleme
Narozenem.

And now we just have to wish each other, all our colleagues, relatives, friends and, of course, radio listeners: Veselé Vánoce a Šťastný Nový Rok!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Czechs know a lot about holidays and fun. A common misconception that the Czech Republic is a country of exclusively ancient castles and ancient traditions is confusing. Undoubtedly, the Czech Republic has a rich historical heritage and there are indeed many echoes of the Middle Ages in this country. But this does not prevent the Czech Republic from arranging grandiose festivities.

New Year is one of the largest holidays in the republic. On the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, music thunders all night, local and visiting groups dance, Czechs, together with the guests of the capital, drink champagne and mulled wine under the Orla chimes. On the Charles Bridge, people make wishes and admire the most beautiful and large-scale fireworks in Europe. Restaurant ships twinkle with lights on the Vltava. New Year's fairy tale continues until the morning.

New Year in the Czech Republic is celebrated only on December 31st. On January 1, Czechs celebrate another holiday - the Day of the Restoration of Independence.

It would be surprising if the old New Year traditions were not preserved in the Czech Republic. After all, even New Year's Eve in the republic is called "Sylvester" in honor of the old legend about the Pope Saint Sylvester. For the New Year in the Czech Republic, it has long been customary to give gifts and send greeting cards. On New Year's Eve, the Czechs did not work, but rested with their families. Since that time, almost nothing has changed: on the eve of Sylvester, the Czechs do not work, give each other gifts and have fun with family and friends. A charming tradition with postcards has also been preserved. Only now it has acquired a more modern look and now pictures of congratulations are sent electronically.

In the Czech Republic, however, as well as around the world, the New Year is celebrated with fireworks, dances, songs and endless delicacies. Another specifically Czech old tradition that has come down to us is lentils or soup with small cereals on the table on New Year's Eve. It is believed that so next year there will be a lot of money. If you are a fan of real fun, beautiful scenery, hearty food and a warm atmosphere, then celebrating the New Year in the Czech Republic is one of the best options.

New Year traditions

We have already found out that the Czechs are great connoisseurs of fun and large-scale holidays, and they are also crazy about all sorts of old legends and customs. Now let's find out what New Year's traditions are present in the modern life of the Czechs. So what do the Czechs do for the New Year:

• Decorating the Christmas tree. On the central streets of the cities of the republic, Christmas trees are put up at the beginning of winter. But in houses, Christmas trees are always decorated on December 24: for Christmas, but Christmas trees remain symbols for the New Year. Many Czechs put a nativity scene (betlémek) under the Christmas tree - a set of figurines depicting biblical scenes - they symbolize the birth of Christ. As a rule, nativity scenes are made of wood. Some are made of paper and painted by hand.

Nativity scene - figurines depicting biblical scenes. They are placed under the tree.

The first nativity scene in the country appeared in 1560 in the Church of St. Clement in Prague.

• Collect more money in the New Year. Filling all the pockets of clothes with money on the eve of the holiday is an interesting and slightly strange custom. Thus, the Czechs "call" a comfortable life for the next year.
• Don't meet Santa Claus! Instead of Santa Claus, other characters similar to him come to the Czechs. Saint Mikulas visits children on December 5 together with the devil and the angel. The guys tell Mikulash about how they behaved this year. If the child was obedient, the angel gives him a gift, and if he behaved badly, the devil punishes him with a bag of coal and ash. Also in the Czech Republic, the baby Christ comes to children and leaves gifts for them under the tree. And the kids never see him.

Mikulas, the Devil and the Angel are traditional characters for Christmas in the Czech Republic.

According to ancient legends, Saint Mikulas was a bishop in Turkey. He was the patron and keeper of children, as well as sailors and ferrymen. Mikulash died on December 6, 350.

• Send postcards. Postcards are an immortal tradition that Czechs have been following for centuries. On New Year's Eve (or a few days before the holiday), local residents send each other postcards with beautiful or funny pictures, joint photos and pleasant wishes. Often in such postcards, Czechs combine Christmas and New Year wishes.
• Celebrating the New Year in the mountains. Not so long ago in the Czech Republic it became extremely popular to celebrate the New Year in the mountains. Families and groups of friends rent a house there for 3-4 days. Czechs and guests of the country are so fond of New Year holidays in the mountains because of the magnificent landscapes and many entertainments. What is worth only one snowboarding or skiing! In addition, ski resorts offer a fun New Year's program.
• Believe in lucky number. 9 is considered a lucky number for the New Year in the Czech Republic. That is why the Czechs try to cook 9 festive dishes and gather 9 guests at the table
• Watching TV. Surprisingly, the Czechs, just like us, love to watch Alexander Row's fairy tale "Morozko" on New Year's Eve. But the president's congratulations are broadcast only at noon on January 1.
• Eating traditional sweets. Traditional Czech New Year sweets are gingerbread, buns and vanilla cones. Not a single family can do without these delicacies, but they all bake them according to their own recipe.

Gingerbread is a must for New Year's Eve in the Czech Republic

• Celebrate with a big group. If earlier most Czechs celebrated the New Year in the family circle, now it is customary to celebrate in a large company. It can be relatives, friends, colleagues and just strangers on the main square of the city.
• Preparing special dishes for the festive table. On New Year's Eve, there must be carp and lentils on the table, symbolizing happiness and good luck. Selling carps is another well-established custom. Karpov in the Czech Republic start selling a few days before Christmas. Despite the fact that carp is considered a Christmas dish, they are sold on the streets and in shops almost until the New Year. It is also customary to serve pork dishes on New Year's Eve. But Czechs do not eat chicken, duck or turkey for the New Year.

Lentil soup is a New Year's dish in the Czech Republic. Lentils symbolize prosperity, happiness and good luck.

Gifts for the New Year: what and where to buy

At the Czech Christmas and New Year's markets you can find a wide variety of souvenirs and gifts. In addition, Czech presentations will cost quite a budget. So, what can you buy at the New Year's fairs in the Czech Republic:

• Famous Czech Christmas decorations made of real blown glass. The assortment includes a huge number of bright and extraordinary glass figurines in the form of people, animals, flowers and fairy-tale characters.
• Christmas decorations made of glass beads (small glass beads). It was in the Czech Republic that such Christmas decorations first appeared in Ponikla in the 19th century.

Blown glass balls - fine handmade by a real master.

The old tradition has been preserved to this day and Ratius has become its successor. The company tries to adhere to a unique technology for making jewelry. Now Ratius Christmas decorations are popular all over the world.

• Candlestick houses are another charming Christmas decoration. Handicrafts are made of red clay in the form of miniature Czech houses. There is a candle inside the souvenirs, and aromatic oil can be poured into the chimney of the house. Thus, you get a full-fledged aroma lamp. If you want to please and pleasantly surprise your loved ones, then such a house is a great option.
• Puppets are also traditional Czech toys. They are handmade and sold in souvenir shops, toy stores and street fairs.

House-candlestick - a traditional gift for the New Year in the Czech Republic.

If you don’t have much time for shopping and you don’t want to linger at fairs, we recommend visiting the most popular shopping centers in the capital:

• "Palladium" - a huge shopping center is located on Republic Square. This mall has more than 100 shops with a variety of gift items, Christmas glass decorations and traditional souvenirs.
• Obchodní dům Kotva is a small but cozy shopping center right in front of Palladium. There are several fashionable shops with clothes and shoes, as well as many small souvenir shops.
• Nový Smíchov is a popular shopping center, which is located near the historical part of the city (address: Plzeňská 8, 150 00 Praha 5-Anděl). Here you will find a large assortment of gifts made of glass, crystal, wood.

Palladium and Kotva are located close to each other in the center of Prague. Near them there are other supermarkets and shops where you can choose gifts. And it is worth buying gifts during Christmas and New Year. Moreover, they are held not only in shopping centers, but also in individual branded stores.

Now you know that:

1. The Czech Republic is famous not only for its rich historical heritage, but also for large-scale and fun festivities.
2. Czechs still adhere to many old New Year traditions. For example, they send each other postcards.
3. Santa Claus does not come to the Czechs.
4. New Year in the Czech Republic is usually celebrated in a large company, unlike a family holiday - Christmas.
5. From the Czech Republic, you can bring interesting and unique gifts for the New Year (behm glass toys, candlestick houses).
6. You can buy New Year's souvenirs and presents in the Czech Republic at street fairs or in shopping centers.

New Year's mood and gifts that you have always dreamed of!

Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket és boldog Új Évet kívánunk!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bé ké s, bolddogkará csony ü nnepeket é seredmé nyekbengazdag ú j é vetkí vá nunk!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Kö szö njü kamú lt é vbentanú sí tottbizalmukot, kellemeskará csony ü nnepet é ssikerekbengazdag, bolddog ú j é vetkí vá nunk!

Thank you for your trust! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

BoldogKará csonyt é seredmé nyes ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk Ö nnek! Kö szö njü keddigibizalmá t é sremé ljü k, jö vő reiselé gedett ü gyfeleink, partnerinkkö zö tt ü dvö zö lhetjü k Ö nt!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We thank you for your trust and hope that we will continue our cooperation in the new year!

Bé ké s, bolddogkará csony ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag, ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bé ké s, bolddog ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag Ú j É vetkí vá nunk Ö nnek é sCsalá djá nak!

We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kellemes ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag ú jesztendő tkivá nunk!

We wish you a pleasant Christmas and a successful new year!

Kellemeskará csony ü nnepeket é sbolddog ú j é vet!

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kö szö njü keddigiegyü ttmű kö dé sü ket! Kellemes ü nnepeket é ssikerekbengazdag ú jesztendő tkí vá nunk!

Thank you for your cooperation! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kö Zelegaz é jfé l, ismé telteltegy é v, szí vü nkbenfelé bredegy- egyré giemlé k. Felidé zzü kazelmú ltszé ppillanatokat, atovaszá lltmegnem é lt, tű nő á lmokat. Titokbanremé ljü k, bolddog é vekvá rnak, nemleszbennetö bbé szomorú sá g- bá nat. Kö szö ntjü khá takö vetkező é vet, kí vá njuk, hogy á lmunksose é rjenvé get.

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed, and old memories are awakening in our hearts. Let us remember all the wonderful moments that passed, which seemed to us a dream. We secretly hope that happy years await us, in which there will be no sadness and adversity. Therefore, we celebrate the New Year, and wish that our dreams and dreams never reach the end! Happy New Year!

AdjonIstenmindenjó t, Jobb é vet, minttavalyvoltage. Mitő lfé lü nk, mensenmeg, Amitvá runklegyenmeg. Szeretetet, bé kessé get, Egé szsé get. Boldog Ú j É vet!

Grant, Lord, all good things, grant a better year than the last one. Let what we fear disappear, and let what we expect come. Love, peace, health. Happy New Year!

Kö Zelegaz é jfé l, ismé telteltegy é v, szí vü nkbenfelé bredegy- egyré giemlé k. Kö szö ntjü khá takö vetkező é vet, kí vá njuk, hogy á lmunksose é rjenvé get. Ehhez kívánok nektek Boldog Új Évet!

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed, old memories are awakening in our hearts. Congratulations on the coming of the New Year, we wish that dreams never reached the end. Happy New Year!

Virradjonrá dszé pnap, kö szö ntsö nrá djó é v, kedveshajlé kodbakö ltö zzö najó lé t. Alelkedbeboldogsá g, aszí vedbebé ke, eztkí vá nomNekedaz ú j é vre.

May a beautiful day bloom over you, may a good year greet you, may grace come upon you. And happiness reigns in your soul, peace in your heart. I wish you this in the new year!

Kö Zelegaz é jfé lmá rmegintelteltegy é v ! Szí vü nkben. felé brednekaré giemlé kek! Legyé lbolddog. ebbenaz é vben ! É ntisztaszí vembő lkí vá nokmindenkinekBoldog Ú j É vet!

Midnight is approaching, another year has passed again! Old memories come alive in our hearts! Be happy this year! From the bottom of my heart I wish you all a happy new year!

Eljö ttaz é vnekutolsó napja, jó kí vá nsá gokattö ltö kapezsgő spoharadba. Legyé lnagyonszerencsé s, gazdag é svidá m, Talá ljonRá daz ú j é vbenazigaziboldogsá g. BUEK.

It's the last day I fill your glass of champagne with good wishes. Be happy, rich and cheerful! May true happiness find you in the new year! I wish you a happy new year!

BoldogKará csonyt!

Merry Christmas!

KellemesKará csony Ü nnepeket é sBoldog Ú j É vetor simplyBUÉ K!

Literally: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

BoldogKará csonyt é sBoldog Ú j É vet!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Boldogkará csonyt! Kellemeskará csony ü nnepeketmindenkinek!

Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas holidays!

Ö rö mö dsoklegyen, bá natodsemmi, segí tsenazIstenboldognaklenni. Legyé lmindigvidá m ö rü ljmindenszé pnek, BoldogKará csonytkí vá noknaked!

Be happy, let disagreements bypass you, may the Lord help you to be happy! Be always cheerful and rejoice in everything beautiful, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Kelemeskará csony Ü nnepeketmidenismerö sö mnek!

Merry Christmas to all my friends!

Ahogyahó piheszá llkitartottkesedre, ú gyszá lljonfü ledbeangyalok é neck.
Melengesseszí vedetsoksokszeretet í gykí vá noknakedbolddog ü nnepeket!

As a snowflake falls on your hand, so may the song of the angels be heard to you (in your ears). May your heart be filled with lots and lots of love! I wish you happy Christmas holidays!

Csillagfé nyes á lmaidvá ljanakvaló ra, legyen ü nneplelkednekmindennap é s ó ra. Kerü ljeabá nat ö rö kreelhá zad, é rjenAnyiboldogsá g, mitembercsakkí vá nhat!

May all your dreams come true, may every day and every hour be a holiday. May disagreements always bypass your home, and may there be as much happiness as a person can wish for!

Ahó alattalzanakahá zak, Azegé szvilá gcsupavará zslat. S, mintvalamitü ndé rá lom. Eljö nhozzá nkszentKará csony. Bé ké s ü nnepeketkivá nok!

Houses sleep under the snow, and the whole world is magical, and Christmas comes to us like a fabulous dream. I wish you a happy Christmas holidays!

Mennyeiszeretetjá rja á tafö ldet, Mosolyogj , ü nnepelj, felttsdelakö nnyet. Angyalká krepdessé kkö rbeaTefá date, Boldogsá g, bé kessé g á ldjamegahá zad! BOLDOGKARÁ CSONYT!

How much love on earth, smile, celebrate and forget about tears. Angels are circling around your Christmas tree, fortunately and in peace bless your home. Merry Christmas!

Kiskará csony, nagykará csony, angyalcsó kjará currentszá lljon. hozzonnektekmindenjó t, necsakalmá t, mogyoró t. Boldogsá got, bé kessé get, szé pjö vő t, melegsé get. Bé ké sKará csonytkí vá nunknaked!

Little Christmas, big Christmas, the angel kisses you, may he bring you all the good things, not just apples and peanuts. Happiness, peace, a beautiful future, warmth. We wish you a peaceful Christmas!

Akkorszé pakará csony, hafehé rbentalá lom, akkorszé paz é letem, hamegosztod é nvelem!

Then a beautiful Christmas if it's white. And my life is beautiful if you share it with me!

Thanks for helping me create this post Hungarian language of Maria and Julia)

New knowledge - new opportunities!

For Christmas - in Czech Vánoce - in the Czech Republic they begin to prepare long before December 25th. On the day of St. Andrew, November 30, Prague and thirteen Czech regions are immersed in the magical atmosphere of Advent, waiting for the Messiah. On the streets of cities, here and there, in large flower pots, Christmas trees “grow” with the stars of Bethlehem on their tops, bunches of evergreen mistletoe miraculously appear on the front doors of houses, colored garlands are lit in the windows. In the heart of old Prague, on the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, souvenir sellers set up their stalls, and the wind carries the alluring aromas of punch, mulled wine, grog, roasted chestnuts and boiled corn through all the nooks and crannies.

On December 4, on the day of St. Barbara, Czechs cut branches from cherry trees - barbors - and put them in the water. Barborkas should bloom by Christmas, which means they should bring good luck. The day on which the first greenery appears on the frozen branches will symbolize the most successful month in the coming year. According to an old tradition, three weeks before Christmas, Czech housewives start baking festive gingerbread cookies (Zázvorky) and vanilla cones (Vanilkové rohlíčky). Today this custom is rarely followed, with cookies being baked at most three or four days before the great feast.

On December 6, on the day of St. Nicholas - Mikulas - the first children's matinee is held in the Czech Republic. Old man Mikulash, with a long gray beard and a staff reminiscent of Russian Santa Claus, walks the streets with a large box of gifts in the company of a devil and an angel and is interested in the behavior of local children. Sweet gifts - sweets (bonbóny), gingerbread (perníčky), nuts (ořechy) - go to diligent and well-mannered children, as well as those who cheer Mikulas with a kind poem or a cheerful song. On Třebíč Square in Karlovy Vary, on this day, traditional fun is held in honor of Mikulas: the city's residents light up Christmas trees and sing carols.

Czechs spend almost a whole week in pre-Christmas fun, and on December 13, on the day of St. Lucy, the protector from witchcraft and charms, young Czechs put on white hoodies, whiten their faces with powder and go out into the street in search of carefree passers-by who can get hold of money or sweets.

A week before Christmas, fishmongers appear on the streets of the Czech Republic and strings of traditional Czechs line up in front of large tubs of water. In these tubs, selected carps are splashing, which were grown in special ponds throughout the year. It is believed that there should not be a single piece of meat on the Czech Christmas table, the traditional Christmas dish of Czech cuisine is fried carp (smažený kapr) with a side dish of potato salad (bramborový salát).

Christmas Eve on December 24 in the Czech Republic is called Generous Evening. On this day, it is also called Bear Christmas, it is customary to feed bears with sweets. For example, residents of the town of Český Krumlov feed the bears that live in the moat.

With the appearance of the first star in the sky in Czech houses, they sit down at the table. One of the good signs of this evening is an even number of guests and the number of dishes prepared is nine. On the Christmas table, you can almost always see Czech pies (koláč), pancakes (lívance), stuffed flour balls (knedlíky), lentil soup. The traditional Czech Christmas alcoholic drink is Becherovka, a herbal liqueur made according to an old Czech recipe. In Karlovy Vary, there is a whole museum of Becherovka, visiting which you can learn the history of the drink, the subtleties of its preparation, and even taste it. As for Christmas beer, it is brewed in the Czech Republic in limited quantities and sold in bars only as a draft. In Russia, Czech Christmas beer (Pražečka Christmas) can be found in large supermarkets.

For dessert in the Czech Republic, a traditional Christmas cake (vánočka) with almonds and raisins, waffles (oplatky) with honey, cakes (vánoční dortíky), gingerbread and tiny cookies with a diameter of 2-3 cm (cukroví) are served. On Christmas Eve in Czech stores you can buy more than twenty types of this delicacy, sold in large colorful boxes by weight and by the piece.

On Christmas night in the Czech Republic, three masses are celebrated, which are a symbol of the birth of Christ in the bosom of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and in the soul of every believer. At the time of worship, the Czech streets are empty. The Basilica of St. George in Prague, the Bethlehem Chapel, the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious are filled with Czechs of all ages. Everywhere - both in houses and on the streets of cities, you can see the so-called Betlems, models of a manger with figures of a born savior and the Virgin Mary, surrounded by shepherds and angels, donkeys, camels and other animals. Once upon a time, every Czech family made their own model of a manger out of wood, straw, paper and clay. Today, more and more professional artists are engaged in the manufacture of Bethlems, exhibiting their works in churches and on city squares. Such exhibitions are akin to puppet theatrical performances that tell about the main miracle of Christmas - smart puppets move and sing, and in some places you can see live donkeys and ponies decorously carrying happy children along the winter sidewalks. In the Czech Republic, a whole cult of the baby Jesus has been created - here he is affectionately called Ezhishka (Ezulatko), depicted as a festively dressed ruddy doll. The Jezulatka Museum in Prague displays dresses made for the baby Jesus by queens and princesses from all over the world.

On the first day of Christmas, December 25, on the embankments of the Vltava - on this river are the cities of Cesky Krumlov, Ceské Budějovice, Prague - people come with aquariums, buckets, pots and bags filled with water. This tradition appeared relatively recently, but every year more and more kind-hearted Czechs bring carps to the river, which should have been a Christmas dinner. The fish that have spent Christmas evening in bathtubs and basins on tables and have already received names are solemnly released into the cold waters of the river.

The Czech Christmas tale does not end there. On December 26, on the day of St. Stepan, it is customary for Czechs to inspect betlems and carol; on the day of John the Evangelist, on December 27, a rite of purification of wine takes place, and on December 31, along with the New Year in the Czech Republic, the day of St. Sylvester comes, on which it is customary to visit relatives and give gifts.

Cheerful uproar on the streets of Prague and thirteen Czech regions does not stop for a minute. The lights are still burning in the windows of the houses, the bouquets of mistletoe on the front doors glisten with gold wrapping paper, spruces, firs and pines growing in huge flower pots still look just as fresh and fabulous, and over the roofs of red brick covered with white snow, the wind blows with a new force spreads the alluring smells of fried sausages and glazed gingerbread, aromas of punch, grog and mulled wine.

Recipes

Christmas punch

Ingredients:
200 ml rum
100 g raisins
½ l strong black tea
½ l red wine
a few slices of lemon
2 pieces whole cinnamon
4 things. dried cloves

Cooking:
Soak raisins for a few hours in rum. Then bring the mixed tea, red wine, lemon slices, cinnamon pieces and dried cloves to a boil. Pour rum with raisins soaked in it into thick glass glasses, pour a slightly cooled drink of tea and wine on top, after removing the spices.

Christmas gingerbread cookies

Ingredients:
225 g flour
90 g butter
90 g sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp ground ginger
ground cinnamon, cloves on the tip of a knife
1 sachet of baking powder or 1 tsp. soda slaked in vinegar

Cooking:
Whisk softened butter with sugar. Beat the egg separately, add ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, whipped butter with sugar, baking powder or soda slaked in vinegar, flour. Knead the dough and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Place the chilled dough on a floured work surface and roll out to 3mm thick. Using various molds, cut out cookies, put them on a baking sheet, the bottom of which is pre-covered with baking paper, and put in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Vanilla crescents (horns)

Ingredients:
280 g flour
200 butter
80 g powdered sugar
vanilla sugar
100 g ground walnuts

Cooking:
Sift flour, vanilla sugar and powdered sugar, ground walnuts in a deep bowl. Gradually stir in softened butter, knead the dough, wrap it in food foil and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes. From the cooled dough, form small crescent-shaped bagels, put on a baking sheet, the bottom of which is pre-lined with baking paper, and bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees until the bagels are browned. Sprinkle the finished cookies with powdered sugar.

Christmas gingerbread

Ingredients:
650 g flour
250 g powdered sugar
50 g melted butter
100 g liquid honey
3 eggs
1 tsp cocoa
1 tsp salt
2 tsp a mixture of ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon and a pinch of ginger

For glaze:
150 g powdered sugar
1 protein
1 tsp starch
A few drops of lemon juice

Cooking:
Mix melted butter with honey, add eggs, cocoa, salt, seasoning mixture to the cooled mixture. Sift flour and icing sugar on the board, add the previously obtained mixture, knead the dough and leave under the film for 24 hours. The next day, roll out a 0.5 cm thick layer of dough and cut out gingerbread cookies using various molds. If the dough seems too tight to you, hold it for a while in a water bath. Spread the gingerbread on a greased baking sheet and bake until cooked at a temperature of 160-190 degrees.
Decorate the cooled gingerbread with icing made from powdered sugar, whipped with protein, lemon juice and starch.

Christmas carp baked in the oven with sage

Ingredients:
1 carp
120 g butter
125 g cream

Cooking:
Gut and clean the fish from scales, divide the carcass into two parts, pepper, salt and sprinkle with sage. Melt 80 g of butter on a baking sheet, put the carp, pour the remaining melted butter on top of the fish. Bake the fish in the oven at a high temperature, periodically pouring fish broth or water over the carp. Put the finished fish on a dish and cover with a lid. Mix the juice left after cooking the fish with cream, bring to a boil and pour over the carp.

Brambor (potato) salad

Ingredients:
300 g potatoes
juice and zest of 1 lime
50 ml olive oil
10 g fresh grated ginger
green onion
ground white pepper

Cooking:
Peel potatoes, cut into 1cm cubes and boil in salted boiling water. Rinse the cooked potatoes with cold water and transfer to a bowl. For dressing, combine lime zest and juice, ginger, finely chopped green onion, ground white pepper and olive oil. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and refrigerate. The salad can be served with sour cream with chopped mint.

Lebanese (pancakes)

Ingredients:
½ l warm milk
500 g flour
2 eggs
30 g yeast
60 g sugar
10 g lemon peel
100 g marmalade
80 g cottage cheese
salt

Cooking:
Prepare yeast dough in the sponge method with yeast, sugar, milk, flour, a pinch of salt, lemon zest and eggs.
Grease a frying pan with melted fat and fry small pancakes on it until golden brown. Lubricate the finished pancakes with marmalade, sprinkle with cottage cheese. Lebanese can be served with sour cream or whipped cream.

Fruit dumplings

Ingredients:
250 g cottage cheese
1 egg
2 tbsp decoys
ground crackers
pieces of any fruit or dried apricots
cinnamon
powdered sugar
vanilla sugar
melted butter

Cooking:
Knead the dough from cottage cheese, eggs, semolina and 1 tbsp. ground crackers. Form cakes with a diameter of 5 cm and 0.5 cm thick, put pieces of fresh fruit or dried apricots in the center of the cakes, sprinkle with cinnamon and close the cakes well, giving them the shape of balls with stuffing inside. Boil dumplings in boiling salted water, sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs, powdered sugar and vanilla sugar, pour melted butter.

Christmas tub

Ingredients:
1 kg flour
¼ l milk
80 g yeast
200 g powdered sugar
2 eggs
250 g butter
vanilla sugar
zest of 1 lemon
almond
raisin
salt

Cooking:
To prepare a Christmas Vanochka, mix a dough of milk, yeast and a small amount of sugar. Mix flour, powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, grated lemon zest, a pinch of salt, 1 egg and softened butter. Add the resulting mixture, chopped almonds and raisins (to taste) to the finished dough, knead the dough and leave to rise for 3 hours. The dough must be “kneaded” twice and allowed to rise again. From the risen dough, weave braids, transfer to a greased baking sheet, brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with chopped almonds, pierce in several places with a wooden stick and let stand for another 15 minutes. Bake the pie for 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 175 degrees, then reduce the temperature to 150 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. The readiness of the dough is determined by a wooden stick: pierce the dough in the “thickest” area and if the stick remains dry, the cake is ready.