Polish Christmas Eve: Is mission impossible?
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Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 24, 2008 00:00
ISTANBUL - One may think Christmas customs all around the world are, if not the same, then at least similar to each other. Each country, however, adds its own elements to the universal traditions. In the case of Poland, it is Christmas Eve that is significant. It’s not a holiday in a strict sense, but for many it is the most important day in the whole year.
For many Christmas is pure pleasure. The only responsibility for children is to thank people for presents they receive. It is also fun for those who visit others at family gatherings in their homes. But for those who organize these events, Christmas is always a battle. Or better, a war!
One is not only the head of operation "Christmas Eve," but usually the only soldier on the battlefield, rejecting the help of others every time it is offered: one false step and mission "Christmas" could have been endangered...
It is difficult to objectively state whether Polish housewives love or hate Christmas. There are many necessary things that for the holiday. No matter how they consider it, their feelings will always be different to those of other women in the world because, in Poland, Christmas starts early, on Dec. 24.
"My British neighbors were surprised that we didn’t organize the celebration dinner like them on Dec. 25," Magdalena Somaklar, who has organized Christmas dinners in her home in Antalya for three years, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. "In fact due to my husband’s job, our Christmas is limited to Christmas Eve only."
Why the 24th?
Probably all Poles would agree that there is no other day on the calendar that matters as much as Dec. 24, however, for different people it has various meanings.
"For me it is more a matter of traditional family values, rather than religion," said Ania, a Polish woman who bonded with Turkey 15 years ago and is currently living with her family in Istanbul. She added that with her husband, they try to celebrate both Muslim and Christian holidays. "On Christmas Eve, the most important thing is the atmosphere, as well as the people gathered around the table, rather than what is on that table," Ania said.
The truth is that most of what others call "Christmas traditions" has nothing to do with religion. The Polish Christmas Eve has maintained a few typically religious symbols, such as a bit of hay under the table cloth as a reminder of the birth of Jesus in a shed in Bethlehem, mixed with universal traditions, such as a Christmas tree.
As the Christmas Eve tradition has developed over hundreds of years, nowadays it may be complicated to adapt all the customs to the present way of living. Working people have to limit themselves to less time-consuming traditions, but some are trying to maintain the old practices. "My husband takes a few days off around Christmas to help me with preparations while I spend most of my time in the kitchen," said Somaklar.
Obstacle no.1: The menu
Although a plan is an important part of every activity, some never seem to have one while preparing Christmas Eve dinners. What is worth noting is that the Polish Christmas Eve menu is different from what Poles eat on Christmas Day and most of the meals are cooked only once a year for this special occasion.
All people who prepare a Christmas feast have their own system. "Typical Christmas meal, such as pierogi (mantı-like pastry with filling), or cabbage with mushrooms, are prepared by my mother during her visits to Turkey. She also brings some of the ingredients that I cannot buy here," Somaklar said.
Others, however, have to improvise. "In my home on Christmas Day we used to have a duck, but on the Turkish Riviera it is impossible to get," said Grazyna, a Pole who has lived in Mangavat for nine years. "Instead I cook lamb, which is also wonderful, but more suitable for Easter in fact," she said.
Some of the Polish Christmas Eve delicacies, like beetroot soup for example, may be surprising for those trying them for the first time. "When I prepared it, my husband’s parents were surprised one is able to make such soup, and most of all, such a delicious one," said Somaklar. Poppy-seed cake was also a surprise for her Turkish family. "My brother-in-law refused to try it thinking it may intoxicate him so he wouldn’t be able to drive his car on the way back home," she said.
No matter what tactics are used to make Christmas Eve happen, as soon as the first star can be seen in the sky, the battle is over. Mothers can finally start breathing, fathers can sit down and children enjoy. Everyone gathers around the table, wishing each other Merry Christmas with a Christmas wafer, as is the typical Polish tradition. There is always a spare plate on the table, waiting for anyone who feels lonely on that special night. After the Christmas Midnight Mass is over, when everyone goes to sleep, the illusive peace settles over people’s houses. Illusive because in just a few hours another battle will begin: Christmas Day.
One is not only the head of operation "Christmas Eve," but usually the only soldier on the battlefield, rejecting the help of others every time it is offered: one false step and mission "Christmas" could have been endangered...
It is difficult to objectively state whether Polish housewives love or hate Christmas. There are many necessary things that for the holiday. No matter how they consider it, their feelings will always be different to those of other women in the world because, in Poland, Christmas starts early, on Dec. 24.
"My British neighbors were surprised that we didn’t organize the celebration dinner like them on Dec. 25," Magdalena Somaklar, who has organized Christmas dinners in her home in Antalya for three years, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. "In fact due to my husband’s job, our Christmas is limited to Christmas Eve only."
Why the 24th?
Probably all Poles would agree that there is no other day on the calendar that matters as much as Dec. 24, however, for different people it has various meanings.
"For me it is more a matter of traditional family values, rather than religion," said Ania, a Polish woman who bonded with Turkey 15 years ago and is currently living with her family in Istanbul. She added that with her husband, they try to celebrate both Muslim and Christian holidays. "On Christmas Eve, the most important thing is the atmosphere, as well as the people gathered around the table, rather than what is on that table," Ania said.
The truth is that most of what others call "Christmas traditions" has nothing to do with religion. The Polish Christmas Eve has maintained a few typically religious symbols, such as a bit of hay under the table cloth as a reminder of the birth of Jesus in a shed in Bethlehem, mixed with universal traditions, such as a Christmas tree.
As the Christmas Eve tradition has developed over hundreds of years, nowadays it may be complicated to adapt all the customs to the present way of living. Working people have to limit themselves to less time-consuming traditions, but some are trying to maintain the old practices. "My husband takes a few days off around Christmas to help me with preparations while I spend most of my time in the kitchen," said Somaklar.
Obstacle no.1: The menu
Although a plan is an important part of every activity, some never seem to have one while preparing Christmas Eve dinners. What is worth noting is that the Polish Christmas Eve menu is different from what Poles eat on Christmas Day and most of the meals are cooked only once a year for this special occasion.
All people who prepare a Christmas feast have their own system. "Typical Christmas meal, such as pierogi (mantı-like pastry with filling), or cabbage with mushrooms, are prepared by my mother during her visits to Turkey. She also brings some of the ingredients that I cannot buy here," Somaklar said.
Others, however, have to improvise. "In my home on Christmas Day we used to have a duck, but on the Turkish Riviera it is impossible to get," said Grazyna, a Pole who has lived in Mangavat for nine years. "Instead I cook lamb, which is also wonderful, but more suitable for Easter in fact," she said.
Some of the Polish Christmas Eve delicacies, like beetroot soup for example, may be surprising for those trying them for the first time. "When I prepared it, my husband’s parents were surprised one is able to make such soup, and most of all, such a delicious one," said Somaklar. Poppy-seed cake was also a surprise for her Turkish family. "My brother-in-law refused to try it thinking it may intoxicate him so he wouldn’t be able to drive his car on the way back home," she said.
No matter what tactics are used to make Christmas Eve happen, as soon as the first star can be seen in the sky, the battle is over. Mothers can finally start breathing, fathers can sit down and children enjoy. Everyone gathers around the table, wishing each other Merry Christmas with a Christmas wafer, as is the typical Polish tradition. There is always a spare plate on the table, waiting for anyone who feels lonely on that special night. After the Christmas Midnight Mass is over, when everyone goes to sleep, the illusive peace settles over people’s houses. Illusive because in just a few hours another battle will begin: Christmas Day.