This is how they celebrate Christmas in the Slovenian Alps
In Slovenia, the first Advent marks the start of the Christmas season. Making Christmas wreaths to hang on doors or put on tables is a Christmas tradition in Slovenia. They also have their Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Here they mainly eat roast pork or other pork dishes and, in some areas, cod. Chicken is avoided because it brings bad luck. This is because a pig moves forward while eating, but a chicken scratches backwards. This is not all, as there are even more Christmas traditions in Slovenia. Below we have listed 4 more interesting Christmas traditions for you.
Saint Barbara or Saint Lucia
On 8 or 12 December, seeds of wheatgrass are planted in a pot, hoping they will sprout at Christmas. This is used as a table decoration, but sprouting is also a sign of prosperity for the coming year.
Potica
A special bread, sometimes called cake, eaten in Slovenia during Christmas is Potica. The name comes from the word ‘povitica’, meaning ‘rolled cake’ and has a filling of honey, nuts, sultanas and poppy seeds. In the past, the most magical powers were attributed to ‘loaves’ baked especially for Christmas. Every member of the family was given a piece, including animals. It ensured prosperity, drove evil spirits out of the house and protected against lightning and thieves. It was tradition to put bread on the table from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. Also, three special small loaves were often made and eaten on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Epiphany (6 January).
The nativity scene
Nativity scenes are also part of Christmas traditions in Slovenia. The first nativity scene was made in a church, in 1644, by the Jesuits. Today, there is a famous living nativity scene that is staged every year in the Postojna cave near Kranjska Gora.
Tri dobri možje / Three good men
In Slovenia, they know no less than three bringers of presents; called the three good men.
- On 5 December comes Sveti Miklavž, or Saint Nicholas.
- On Christmas Eve, Eve Božicek; Father Christmas.
- And on New Year's Eve Dedek Mraz, who we know better as Grandfather Frost. Dedek Mraz wears a long, white sheepskin coat, decorated with traditional Slovenian flowers, and a fur hat. Under the communist government, the latter was the most popular, but the other two have also regained popularity today.
This was a small insight into Slovenia's Christmas traditions. In general, this is a somewhat lesser-known Alpine country, but as you have read, they love Christmas there too. Want to discover more Christmas traditions of the Alps? Then also read our article on Christmas traditions in the Italian Alps.
Vesel Božič
