Christmas Eve in Moravia and Bohemia

Christmas Eve in the Highlands (Horácko)

In the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands children who fasted were promised not only the golden piglet but little cockerels flying after supper and throwing them treats — and while they searched the ceiling, their parents secretly threw nuts, plums, pears and sweets. In Jimramov a girl boiled three dumplings, each hiding a boy’s name; the first to float up was the one she would marry. Around Velké Meziříčí the straw band from the oven broom was tied, stalk by stalk, to the fruit trees.

On the Bohemian side, around Polička, shepherds in wide hats came into the rooms on Christmas Eve to act out the journey to Bethlehem in carols, while a little angel pointed to a manger with a collection box hidden inside. In Proseč the favourite dish was millet jahelník with mushrooms.

Try it at home

Throw a handful of nuts and sweets over the children’s heads after supper — and tell them it was the Christmas cockerels.

Christmas Eve in the Highlands (Horácko)

More Christmas Eves nearby

Sources