Christmas Eve in Bulgaria
Description:
Preparations apply to both men and women. Men tend to gather in groups, cut the pig to the festive table the next day and fresh it. At this time, women bake ritual bread and prepare lean dishes for Christmas Eve. And the owner of the house prepares a “bydnik” (“god”) – a thick (usually oak) log for a festive hearth. This “badnik” personifies the “Young God” who will be reborn this night. When the owner enters the house with him, he asks: “Do you glorify the Young God?”, to which the immediate answer follows: “We glorify, praise, welcome!” In the past, “bydnik” was even watered with myrrh oil and wrapped it with a white linen cloth. The introduction of this log symbol in the house represents an increase in the harvest and the addition of livestock in the coming year. In the evening, when the hearth (fireplace) is lit, the “bydnik” is placed in the middle so that it burns all night.
Very interesting dishes on the table tonight. The place of honor is occupied by the ceremonial bread - "the god", which is involved in the "silent water" (it is brought in the morning by the girls from the well, but they should not exchange words with anyone). This is a large round ceremonial bread, decorated from above with figures symbolizing haystacks, cattle, house, sokha so that later, when it is broken, everyone gets a part of all this good. Separately baked caravans, which give carolers.
The hostess of the house prepares an odd number of lean dishes for the table. Usually it is red Bulgarian pepper stuffed with mature beans or rice, lean blueberries, a compote of dried fruits (plum, pears and apples), beans or lentils, fresh fruits and nuts. On the table always put a plate with honey, heads of garlic and onions. Specially housewives do not miss the opportunity to put on the table and "ticvenik" - a layered sweet pie with stuffing from pumpkin. In general, the more dishes on the table, the better - it is necessary that the year is born to glory.
This is how dinner begins. After prayers, the owner of the house picks up the ceremonial bread and before breaking it, says: “Let everything be born in the new year – bread, grapes, and corn.” Let the barn be full of cattle. Our Lord, come to us and eat with us.
The first piece of ceremonial bread is placed in front of the domestic icon, part of the bread goes to feed livestock, and the rest is distributed among family members. For some time, a coin has been placed in bread. Whoever gets it will be lucky next year. After dinner, everyone is waiting for the carolers.
