the cake

The Advent period, which corresponds to the four weeks preceding Christmas, is an opportunity throughout Europe to prepare for the end of the year celebrations. A very strong tradition linked to Christmas, are the Christmas markets. The first market of this type dated back to Germany, and were organized on the occasion of Saint Nicholas.

Today, cities are increasing their efforts to offer ever larger and more wonderful markets to visitors. The squares are very decorated and illuminated; they are teeming with stalls selling all sorts of potential Christmas gifts and various culinary specialties. In recent years, Christmas markets have been transformed into real amusement parks and offer to their visitors ice rinks, entertainment and Ferris wheel rides.

In France, the most famous Christmas market is in the city of Strasbourg. It was organized for the first time in 1570. Today, the city has around many markets spreading across its different districts and welcoming many visitors each year during the month of December.

In Europe, the most beautiful Christmas markets are those of Nuremberg and Dresden in Germany, and of Valkenburg in Netherlands. They can also be found in cities such as Vienna, Prague, London or even Florence.

December 13 is not a day like others in Sweden. It marks the beginning of Advent. This winter tradition is also celebrated in Finland and the Baltic countries. At the time, this celebration took place at the beginning of the lengthening days.

The Swedish ceremony is very special for those who are not used to it. In each village, a young girl is chosen to be dressed in a long white dress, belted with a red fabric and wears a crown of candles on her head. She leads the procession. She is followed by other girls dressed in the same way, a candle in hand, but also other children dressed as elves, reindeer or wearing hats decorated with stars.

Throughout the procession, they sing, sometimes visits homes and ends up in a church.

First of all, the Polish Christmas Eve meal must consist of twelve meatless dishes, prepared by the whole family. And if we respect Polish tradition, the table setting is also very important. A large white tablecloth is spread under which we put a little hay or straw. Then we set a table with one more place setting than the number of guests, in case an unexpected visitor arrives, or in memory of a deceased loved one.

Traditionally, on the evening of December 24, children watch for the first star in the sky. It is when it appears that the family can finally sit down at the table and Merry Christmas!

In Christian times, the cake symbolized the gift of the king and this dish remains in the customs.

Today, the tradition dictates that the piece of cake, in which a bean is hidden, are cut and then the youngest person goes under the table and decides who gets the piece. The person who has the piece with the bean becomes then the king or the queen, and can wear the crown.