2. Traditional Christmas food
Lamb Lamb prepared with various spices and put in the oven.
Meatballs known Minced meat mixture (beef/pork), white onion, semolina, eggs, salt, ground black pepper,
sunflower oil, all mixed and put on the pan
Polenta Millet flour, water and salt, mix until it hardens
Rolls White cabbage, chicken breast, carrots, white onion, tomato paste, green dill, sunflower oil,
sweet red pepper, black pepper, salt, rice, braided and boiled
Pies High-quality white flour, salt, sunflower oil, cottage cheese, eggs, green onions, sunflower oil
and frying pan
Salad Olivier
chicken breast, carrots, potatoes, eggs, pickles, canned corn, mayonnaise, black pepper
3. Introduction
Christmas in the Republic of Moldova is celebrated on December 25 and January 7.
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, in the
Republic of Moldova being approx. 3,270,000 Orthodox (93.34% of the country's
population).
Before Christmas, a 6-week fast is held, between November 28 - January 6 for those
who celebrate in the old style and between November 15 - December 24 for those
who celebrate in the new style. Christmas Eve is the last day of fasting. On the
Christmas table, cozonac, sarmales, piftia (chill), pork sausages, caltabos and red
wine are indispensable. There is also the custom of eating polenta at Christmas, a
custom with magical connotations. The day after Christmas, the Cathedral of the
Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated.
A Christmas custom is caroling, practiced especially in villages.
5. Caroling in the villages
Each nation has its own traditions, but there are also common
features in celebrating Christmas. The main Moldovan Christmas
tradition is caroling. Children and young people usually carol, who
go from house to house, telling about the birth of Jesus.
"The carols are handed down from the ancestors and represent rite
songs, dedicated to Christmas and New Year. The carols combine
the glorification of everyday life, as well as exhortations to good
deeds, generosity and hospitality", said the ethnologist Maria
Ciocanu.
The main attribute of carolers is the star, in the middle of which is
placed the icon with the face of the baby Jesus.
The children go from house to house, singing about the appearance
of the star in the sky, about the birth of Jesus. For this, carolers
receive cakes, nuts, apples, and money as gifts. It is believed that
those who give generous gifts to carolers will have prosperity in the
new year.”
6. Tradition
Christmas traditions vary from country to country.
Elements common to many peoples include
setting up and lighting Christmas trees, hanging
wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, and
creating nativity scenes depicting the birth of
Jesus Christ. Christmas traditions also include
sending Christmas cards, exchanging Christmas
wishes, observing fast and/or special religious
rituals such as a midnight meal or Christmas Eve
Vespers, giving gifts, etc.
