Christmas in Croatia Srednja škola Bol Antea & Sara, 2a Project: National Holidays in Europe, 2017

Is there a more beautiful holiday than Christmas Is there a more beautiful holiday than Christmas? We are happy to present you Christmas in Croatia. From our small but joyful workshop here is our presentation  Christmas is coming

Croatia is a catholic country, 86% of its population belongs to Roman Catholic church. Evidence of Christianity in Croatia are found from the 7th century. Chapels, cathedrals, monasteries… Cathedral of Saint Duje, Split, the oldest cathedral in the world For 28 years now croatian flag proudly stands on top of the bell tower on Saint Duje’s day, the protector of Dalmatian town Split

Croatian Christmas customs are part of our heritage Croatian Christmas customs are part of our heritage. Advent time is very important, it is the time of preparations for Christmas itself Our towns are beautifully decorated, Advent fairs are organised, people of good will are gathering, everybody is merry Split Advent in Zagreb, capitol of Croatia. The Croatian capital has for the third year in a row claimed the title of Best European Christmas Market 2018.

We mark the advent lighting the candels one by one on Sundays on an advent wreath with 4 candles. Each candel represents one week out of 4 until Christmas Traditionally it’s made out of conifer tree branches wrapped in a circle, decorated with dry fruits and nuts But we can be creative, it is for our home after all. Most beautiful is the one we make ourselves

In parts of Croatia on Snt. Barbara, in others on Snt In parts of Croatia on Snt. Barbara, in others on Snt. Lucy, we plant wheat seeds indoors Wheat is the symbol of abundance of life and fruitness, children are happy watering it and following the growth of young wheat  Many people connect the success of their wheat growth with the expectations from the year to come – on Christmas the wheat is wrapped with red-white-blue silk ribbon, symbol of Croatian flag

Christmas cards must be sent on time so we are once again busy and playful

And presents for the loved ones must be made on time… this is the time of giving after all 

In the spirit of Christmas our school organises a Christmas workshop: we make decorations, collect everything we’ve outgrown – from clothes to toys, and the proceedes from the symbolic sale goes to children with special needs of our island

On the last day of school before the winter break we have a Christmas reception for all teachers, students and little guests from our elementary school. Talents are reveald  Such a great time…and the cookies quickly disappear

Christmas Eve, day of fasting, only meatless dishes are served, day of joyful await…cods had been soaked for days, there isn’t a house that doesn’t smell like cod fish Traditional meal - cod fish – in pâté, soup, main dish – 100 of different ways of making it, we love them all Croatian fritters – the smells from the Christmas kitchen are irresistable, this is good comfort food in expectation of the Christmas feast

House must be cleaned, on Christmas Eve we decorate the tree and of we go to Midnight mass to welcome baby Jesus. Traditional Christmas songs are filling harts with joy and warmth

Christmas morning…presents under the tree…we were nice  Christmas dishes, cookies and cakes are tradition

Merry Christmas Peace on Earth Nativity scene in Bol harbour

Photos courtesy of: Centar za kulturu Bol Srednja škola Bol Brač online portal Anna Hero, Bol Internet, various sources Personal archive White Nativity scene in cathedral in Dubrovnik, ceramic, artist Lucija Perojević