One of the staff at Te Aka Mauri originates from the Czech Republic, and she has kindly shared how Christmas was celebrated as she grew up. She has been fortunate in being able to take her children back to the Czech Republic to experience Christmas there and so shares this plus what she's brought to this new land.
The first Sunday in December is the beginning of Advent and the first candle on the Advent wreath is lit. Each Sunday in December another candle is lit so by Christmas Day, the candles are all at different lengths. This is one tradition she has brought to New Zealand.
Throughout the month of December mums get busy baking, not just a Christmas cake but as many variety of vanocni cukovi (small sweet treats) as they can. In fact it can be a bit of a competition. Because it is so cold, they are often stored in boxes out on the balcony until Christmas Day.
On the 5th Dec, there is a knock at the door and St Mikulas appears at the door to discuss the children's behaviour. He is accompanied by a devil and an angel. The devil often "threatens" the children but the angel intervenes. Those who've been good receive chocolate, those who've been naughty, are given a potato. The family used to visit the Czech school in Tauranga to participate in this day.
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| St Mikulas with an angel and the devil check children's behaviour |
Christmas markets also begin on the first Sunday in Advent. Often a life-size nativity is set up in the town square where the markets occur. As the month progresses Nativity plays are also performed, along with music and choir events.
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| The Nativity set up in the town square where the markets take place. |
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| The outdoor Nativity play |
The fisherman begin to arrive with their big barrels of carp to sell at the markets as well. About two days before Christmas, the carp is selected by the family, brought home and placed in the bath! This will be a central part of the Christmas Day menu.
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| The carp in the bath! |
Christmas Day is celebrated on 24th December. First thing Christmas morning the carp is killed and turned into steaks and fish soup. No one has breakfast. Along with creating a fish soup, furniture is re-arranged with tables joined together so everyone will be able to sit together for the mid-day meal. The family then heads off for the Christmas morning church service. Something they still do here in New Zealand.
The menu begins with a small plate of lentils. Hidden under each plate is a fish scale, which is popped in your wallet to signify you'll have money in the New Year. Next comes the fish soup, a light garlicky soup made from the head, bones and internal organs of the carp. Battered or crumbed carp steaks are then served with homemade potato salad.
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| Fish soup. Note the Advent wreath in the centre of the table |
Here in New Zealand, the menu is still fish and home-made potato salad, with all the family around joined-together tables.
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| Modified Czech Christmas Day lunch for the New Zealand summer |
At this point there's a break. Children may perform a concert or recital for grandparents, but often the children are also taken outside.
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| Afternoon ice-skating |
It could be to go ice-skating, playing in the snow, building snowmen or a visit to the nearby woods to decorate trees with carrots and apples for the animals.
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| Decorating a tree for the animals |
While this is going on, other adults in the family are moving a decorated Christmas Tree and the presents into the living room. When a bell rings, everyone can enter. Now is when the mothers, grandmothers and aunties special sweet treats come out.
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| Vanocni cukovi (small sweet treats) |
Finally the day finishes with everyone attending Midnight Mass.
Twelve days after Christmas, the Three Kings visit and write on each door with chalk their initials K+M+B (Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar) and the year, e.g.2020. At this point the Christmas Tree is taken down and thrown out. Christmas is over for another year.
This blog is written by Trish with thanks to Kristina and her family for sharing their memories and photos.
