Holidays must go on :) Kalyady
Post categories: Student blog
| 16:57 UK time, Sunday, 26 December 2010
Here all the most interesting things are still coming... You may think a wish on the eve of New Year, you may even write them all on a paper and then burn it while chiming clock is striking (to make sure they all will come true)... But the true magic will be later ;)
Kalyady (or as my dictionary says - the custom of house-to-house carol-singing) is a very ancient, pre-Orthodox tradition, which later coincided with Christmas. All the rituals were believed to help in work and save the family from sorrow and illness. Starting on the 7th of January the holiday lasts for 2 weeks.
With time it became kind an entertainment and fortunetelling is something obligatory:) Many yeas ago it included questions about future harvest, though if girls play in it now, all questions are sure about their intendeds:) Have you ever written names on papers, put it under the pillow and took out one in the morning?:) Or you might dripped wax in water and guessed the future by the figure?:)
Well... another interesting tradition is already mentioned 'custom of house-to-house carol-singing', when people dress as animals (she-goat, bear, mare..) or have any other costumes and sing special songs going from house to house and getting some presents for it (usually sweets).
Though I must say we don't have holidays during all this time, but just 2 Christmas days off (25th of Dec and 7th of Jan ; I even had classes on the 24th!) and New Year (1st of Jan; while all preparations on the 31th are after working day..).
Anyway, It's magic time with lot of fun:)
Comment number 1.
At 26th Dec 2010, nomad12 wrote:Oh that is cruel to have classes on 24th:) But your post is very interesting. I come from the Czech republic and some costums are the same in my country - kalyady(but the name is different) or wax dripping. But I never heard about the papers, but seems to me as a good idea:)
I look forward to read your next posts
Jirka
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Dec 2010, Descamps Aurélien wrote:Ho! I understand your mind when you talk about having classes on 24th!
But think that some students (like me) must study during the "holidays" to prepare the examinations of January.
You are lucky!
But, I wish your Happy Christmas and an happy New Year!
´¡³Ü°ùé±ô¾±±ð²Ô.
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Comment number 3.
At 28th Dec 2010, Olga_K wrote:hello Veronika!!!!
ths You very, very much for your posts, they are really very interesting and heplful.
I wish You and all readers all the best in New Year 2011!!!!
Mainly the strong health!!!
And about the wishes on the pieces of paper under the pillow You mentioned...yes, yes we did this, but on Andrej's holiday(I mean a telling fortunes, hope You'll understand me :-) ).
And the other interesting thing we have!!!! We celebrate The Old New Year on 13th of January(the following of the Old Year). Do any other nation have this holiday?? :-)
Have a wonderful New Year Eve!!!
Olga_K, Prague
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Comment number 4.
At 28th Dec 2010, bokinhvan_20 wrote:hi veronika
i have read a lot of your posts. thanks so much
i do not understend this post a lot. but i can imagine what you do on your holidays, it is so fun. i hope i can go to your country to join with you.
in my native land on the first day of new year, we go from house to house to greeting and Tet wish my relatives and friends.we also send presents to them and receive their bonus .
i wait your replies.
by for now
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Comment number 5.
At 28th Dec 2010, Veronika wrote:Hello everybody!
nice to hear from you, I hope you had nice holidays:)
Olga, yeaaaaah we have The Old New Year too :)
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Dec 2010, Gleisson wrote:Well, most part of schools where I live ends their classes period before December 24th. Or, at least, they allow a break period that starts on the 24th and ends on 26th. Anyway... this Kalyady is quite interesting. :)
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Dec 2010, bokinhvan_20 wrote:Hi gleisson.
in your country, the christmas holiday is three days but in my country , we
even still go to school. we do not have break period. Because Christmas is not important.
Good luck
wait receiving your replies
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Comment number 8.
At 13th Jan 2011, Davidbava wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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