CHRISTMAS IN HUNGARY What do we celebrate Most

CHRISTMAS IN HUNGARY

What do we celebrate? Most of religious people are Christian in Hungary. So at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, love and peace on Earth.

Holy Evening The most important day in Hungary is the 24 th of December. The evening is called the Holy Evening. In the church people make a Betlehem. It is the model of the holy family: Virgin Mary , Joseph and baby Jesus.

“Betlehemezés” (“Doing Betlehem”) The “betlehemezés” is a folklore habit during Christmas time. It started in 17 th century. Children go from house to house and perform a nativity play. It is usually on the 26 th December. It shows the most important events of Jesus' birth on the basis of the Bible. Children in Vecsés still keep this tradition.

Christmas Tree Peoples put a pine tree in their home. On the afternoon of 24 th they decorate the tree with electronic lights and Hungarian Christmas candies, called „szaloncukor”. Children believe that an angel brings the Christmas tree. They hear bells ringing and go into the room. They see a beautiful tree.

Christmas food The families gather and have dinner togather on the Holy Evening. We eat fish soup, fried fish and potato salad. Another traditional meal during Christmas time is stuffed cabbage.

For the sweet-toothed . Many Hungarian people have sweet tooth and eat a lot of cakes for dessert. For example: bejgli (walnut and poppy seed rolls) or gingerbread.

Some of the photos by Kristóf Márián and Dániel Bódis Text by Nikolaosz Manisz, Réka Faragó, Kristóf Márián, Péter Képíró and Noémi Takács.