Christmas Eve in Serbia

Today is Christmas Eve in Serbia. It is called "Badnje veče". According to the old Julian calendar, Christmas is celebrated in my country on the 7th January, and tonight we celebrate Christmas Eve. Our main Church is Orthodox Church.

This evening is special for all families. It has always been my favorite holiday because it has always brought us together. There are many different customs, but the essence is mostly the same in all places in Serbia.

There are two things to think about first when it comes to Christmas Eve, and that is "badnjak" and a coin in Christmas bread. The father of the family used to go to the forest in the morning to pick up the "Christmas tree - badnjak". In the evening, "badnjak" is lit, at home or in front of a church.

Today, "badnjak" is mostly bought and stands as a decoration at home.

On Christmas Eve the table is delicious and we don't eat food that comes from animals, but we eat fish.

Dishes that can most often be seen on the table of Christmas Eve are roasted fish, dried peppers stuffed with rice and onions, mashed beans with garlic, baked beans in the oven with onions, roasted pumpkin, pie with cabbage, sweet pie with pumpkin and apples, dry fruit, boiled chestnuts.

The most interesting part of the evening is the breaking of the Christmas bread called "česnica". In some parts of Serbia, bread is broken on Christmas Eve and in some on Christmas Day. All members of the family hold the bread and spin it in a circle. Then everyone breaks a piece for themselves. A coin is hidden in the bread. Whoever finds a coin is thought to be lucky all year round. According to tradition, there are different customs and in some families the host breaks the bread by himself and gives everyone a piece.

This evening, of course, as every previous Christmas Eve, my son found a coin. This is not a coincidence because grandmothers always try to be like that. 😊 When I was a kid, I was looking forward to this moment and kept the coin all year.

Lots of fireworks can be seen this evening. I managed to photograph one.

Tomorrow at Christmas, the first person to enter someone's home is called a "položajnik". He received a gift and is thought to bring good luck. This task is usually done by children.

This evening always brings special emotions. Happiness and nostalgia at the same time.

Thank you very much for reading.

Article and photos are original and mine.