24
Dec
Wigilia is a special Polish tradition celebrated on December 24th, the night before Christmas. Families come together for a big dinner and start eating when the first star appears in the sky. The table has a white cloth and there's an extra seat for unexpected guests, reminding everyone to be kind. They eat 12 different dishes, but no meat, just fish, soup, and yummy desserts. Before eating, they share a special wafer, called "op?atek," to wish each other love and happiness. After dinner, they sing Christmas carols and open presents. It's a time full of love, joy, and togetherness.
How to celebrate Wigilia?
On Wigilia, set the table with a special white cloth. You should leave an extra seat for an unexpected guest. Begin the evening with the first star in the sky. Start with a prayer or a kind word. Break and share a special wafer called "op?atek" with your family and wish each other well. Enjoy a meal with 12 different dishes, but no meat. Some common foods are fish, pierogi, and beet soup. Sing Christmas carols together, and maybe even open one gift each. At the end, thank your family for the wonderful time together and wish for joy.
Where Wigilia is celebrated?
- - Poland
- - Lithuania
- - Slovakia
- - Czech Republic
- - Ukraine
- - parts of Germany
- - parts of Belarus
- - parts of Hungary
- - parts of the United States
- - parts of Canada
- - parts of the United Kingdom
- - parts of Ireland
