Meals on different occasions

Types of food on different occasions:

Christmas EVE

Geel, Belgium17-21 February, 2014

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any

use which may be made of the information contained therein

LLP Comenius-Multilateral School Partnership Project 2013-2015

Plunge Senamiestis School, Lithuania

Christmas Eve-KŪČIOSIt is one of the most important celebrations for Lithuanians.

During Kūčios Lithuanians used to say goodbye to the old year and celebrate the upcoming New Year. Now Kūčios is

identified with the Christian feast – the eve of the birth of Jesus. Christmas Eve is closely related with the winter

solstice.

It is the day of cleaning, both inside and outside the house. It has always been very important to clean the whole house, change bedding and clothes. Lithuanians also used to go to the bathhouse. And they still do that. People try to be nice to each other, pay all their debts and have confessions with the priest.

Christmas Ever supper is more important in Lithuania than Christmas dinner. Preparation for the holiday takes all day. Food is prepared not only for

the special supper but also for the first day of Christmas.

By the way, all pictures in the slides are authentic, taken by our project students and teachers. So, “all

rights reserved”!!!

Christmas Eve Supper is special and traditional. The whole family

gathers together. All family members make an effort to come

home for the Christmas Eve Supper. Perhaps not so much for the meal as for the sacred family

ritual which draws the family members closer, reuniting

everyone and strengthening warm family ties.

The whole family gathers together

The table is prepared as follows: a handful of fine hay is spread evenly on the table. This is a reminder that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger on hay.

The table is then covered with a pure white tablecloth, set with plates and decorated with candles and small Christmas

tree boughs. A cross is an essential element on a Christmas Even dinner

table.

If a family member has died that year or cannot attend the meal (only for very serious reasons) an

empty place is left at the table.

The meal served on Christmas Eve doesn’t include meat, milk

products or eggs. It consists of twelve dishes. They symbolise the

twelve months of the year, and according to the Christian

traditions twelve Apostles of Jesus.

Typical dishes

Herring soup

Boiled potatoesand ....

You had the chance to try it in Plunge during the first meeting. It is ground hemp with salt (cannabis).

Kūčiukai(small Christmas Eve cookies)

Poppy seed milk

Mushrooms

Red beet salad with beans

Herring

and other fish

Cranberry pudding

People wait for the first star to sit down at the

Christmas table.

Christmas wafers

(God’s Cakes)

is the first Christmas Eve dinner meal.

Each family member is supposed to share his/her Christmas wafer with all the other members of the family as a ritual of continuity and sharing.

 The mother takes an apple after the wafers have been shared and gives it to the father who cuts it into as many pieces as there are diners.

Christmas Eve and Christmas itself are the most archaic and outstanding festivals.

That’s why our grandparents and parents try to preserve the traditions as much as

possible.

On the other hand, times change and something new becomes acceptable. It is

natural...Now we will show you what Christmas Eve tables looked like at our project students’

homes.

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Fortune telling

On Christmas Eve people like predicting future.Hay has a magic meaning. People take straw from under the

table cloth, if it’s long-you can expect to have a long life, a short one-short life. Thick straw means a rich and happy life.

If you are not married put your hand in to the bowl with Kučiukai or nuts and grab as many as you can. If the number is even –you will marry next year, if

not-you will remain single..

A pot of water is boiled ,then two pieces of coal are dropped into the water. If the coal come together,

there will be a wedding

Everyone is expected to eat some of each dish served.

Usually the Christmas Eve table is not cleared the night as people believe that their ancestors and other member of their family come home for supper

on this night.After Christmas Eve supper we go to

church to Midnight Mass (which is still called Berneliu – Shephard’s Mass)

Christmas Festivities

Christmas is a joyful and warm family holiday

Thank You