Christmas in Latvia!

Decorations:

•   The straw ornaments are made out of material found in the fields. There are also several cross shapes made from the tops of wheat. The straw ornaments are made into geometric shapes from simple to more complex designs.
• The garlands are made from cranberry, apples and pinecones.
• The tree was originally decorated with lit candles though today electrified candles are used.

Traditions: In Latvia the Christmas celebration is know as Ziemassvētki or winter festival. We are celebrating Christmas Eve in 24th of December and Christmas in 25th and 26th of December. The festival is a direct descendent of ancient winter solstice celebrations. A central element to Ziemassvētki is the log burning which involves groups of people dragging a log around the house during the day, burning the log all night singing ritual songs.

History

The earliest mention of a decorated Christmas tree in Latvia is found is found in legal documents from the city of Riga. In 1510 it is stated that members of the local merchant guild carried a Firtree decorated with artificial roses to the marketplace. They danced around it and then set it on fire. The reasoning behind this has been lost to history, though it may have been associated with the ancient tradition of the Yule Log.

On Christmas Eve the family gathers around the tree and sings traditional Christmas carols. Traditional foods served during this time include pork, pig's snout, pig's feet, beans, whole grains, peas and a variety of breads and rolls. Each food has a meaning: e.g. eat a pea you'll cry one day less; eat a bean one day you will mature; eat a pig's snout you will write a great deal; eat a dumpling there will be many sunny days. Later, Father Christmas may visit. He is a stern looking man dressed in gray and has a long white beard. He brings gifts for the good children and for the bad ones he gives them stick-switches. 

Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve. Usually the presents are put under the family Christmas tree. (What a good idea to spread Christmas out longer!) It was in Latvia where the first Christmas tree was decorated. 

What we eat in Christmas?

The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown peas with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage. 

Christmas beliefs:

• In Christmas night you have to eat 9 times then next year you will be rich.
• In Christmas night at 12 water wells changes into wine.
• In Christmas night you have to run around the house barefoot in order your teeth wouldn’t hurt next year.
• In Christmas night you have to run around apple trees barefoot in order to have a good harvest next year.
• Who gets up the first in Christmas morning that will be the first every morning next year.

Folk Songs

Christmas has arrived
With decorated sledge
Peas, beans, turnips
In the Christmas sledge.

Good evening, mistress,
Has you been waiting for mummers?
Mummers are cold
Because of coming from a far.

Blow, blow northern wind

In the Chritsmas Eve

Blow rye and wheat in granary

Blow bay horses in stable


PRIECĪGUS ZIEMASSVĒTKUS!!!