24
Dec
"Wigilia Bo?ego Narodzenia" is Christmas Eve in Poland, a special night before Christmas Day. Families come together to share a big meal, starting when the first star appears in the sky. They set an extra plate at the table for an unexpected guest. The meal is meatless and includes 12 dishes, like beet soup and fish, representing the 12 apostles. Family members exchange "op?atek," a thin wafer, sharing good wishes. After dinner, people sing Christmas carols and sometimes open presents. It's a magical night full of love, family, and tradition, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
How to celebrate Wigilia Bo?ego Narodzenia?
On Wigilia, set the table with a white cloth and an extra plate for an unexpected guest. Start the evening when the first star appears in the sky. Share a special thin wafer called "op?atek" with family, and make a wish as you break it. Enjoy a big dinner without any meat; try dishes like beet soup, fish, and pierogi. Sing Christmas carols together, and remember to leave some hay under the tablecloth. End the night by opening presents from under the Christmas tree. Finish with a walk to church for a Midnight Mass, if you can stay awake!
Where Wigilia Bo?ego Narodzenia is celebrated?
- - International
- - Poland
- - Lithuania
- - Slovakia
- - Czech Republic
- - Ukraine
- - Belarus
- - Hungary
- - Latvia
- - Estonia
- - Germany
- - Austria
- - Switzerland
- - Denmark
- - Norway
- - Sweden
- - Finland
- - Iceland
- - Croatia
- - Slovenia
- - Bosnia and Herzegovina
- - Montenegro
- - Serbia
- - North Macedonia
- - Bulgaria
- - Romania
- - Italy
- - France
- - Portugal
- - Spain
- - Greece
- - Russia
- - Western Russia
- - parts of the United States
- - parts of Canada
