2. Santa Claus
Children in Latvia believe
that Santa Claus (also
known as Ziemassvētku
vecītis) brings their
presents. The presents are
put under the Christmas
tree. The presents are
opened on during the
Evening of Christmas Eve
or on Christmas Day.
3. Getting the presents
Sometime to get a
present children have
to recite a short poem
while standing next to
the Christmas Tree!
Children might also get
a present by singing,
playing a musical
instrument or doing a
dance!
4. Christmas tree
Latvia claims to be the
home of the first
Christmas Tree! The
first documented use
of a evergreen tree at
Christmas and New
Year celebrations is in
town square of Riga,
the capital of Latvia, in
the year 1510.
5. Christmas tree
Christmas trees in Latvia
can be decorated in a
variety of ways, but
hanging Christmas
ornaments made of
natural materials like
straw is one of the most
traditional.
6. Christmas greettings
In Latvian
Happy/Merry Christmas
is
«Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus»
http://www.languagehelpers.com/words_phrases/Latvian/Learn.php?
Language=Latvian&cat=37&scats=Latvian%20Translation&author=83&
phraseid=185
7. Christmas Meal
Latvian Christmas tables are
known for a laying out of
nine dishes. These dishes
must be eaten till midnight
to retain one’s wealth. The
special Latvian Christmas
Day meal is cooked
brown/grey peas with bacon
(pork) sauce, small pies,
cabbage & sausage, bacon
rolls and gingerbread. You
definitely have to eat boiled
grey peas – if you do it, you
won’t have to cry the next
year.
8. Christian traditions
Many of the Christian traditions
in Latvia are intertwined with
earlier pagan traditions.
Christmas Eve is a celebration of
the birth of Jesus, but in many
families it is also a celebration of
the Winter Solstice - the time
when days become longer and
the nights become shorter again.
So on evening of December 24th
or on morning of December
25th families goes to the church.
Usually people choose – 24th or
25th.
