Today we begin a new series of articles on how to celebrate the magical winter holidays in different countries. Let's start with the kingdom of magnificent fjords - Norway.
Yule - so the Scandinavians in the Middle Ages called the winter solstice holiday, falls on December 21-22. Originally a pagan, he settled down in Christian times, and has become a tradition, combining with Christmas. According to ancient myth, in these days of gods and goddesses descended to earth, trolls, elves and talking with people, and the dead rose from the lower worlds.
On the celebration of Yule period everyone who was on the way, we had to go back to, along with other members of the clan to meet the sun rise from the darkness in order to see the world reborn. However, the origin of the word "Yule" is lost in the mists of time. Most likely, it goes back to the Indo-European root meaning "to spin", "cool", "wheel". Perhaps it means "running time", "turn", "The time of sacrifice" or "dark time".
Today, Norwegians celebrate Yule before Christmas and prepare for it in advance. Buy trees that are long standing, not showering, and permitting the living space - planted their own fluffy beauties. And be sure the Yule log, which will burn in fireplaces, symbolizing attract good luck, health and wealth in the family.
Hostess served the rich tables, which required some dishes, such as: crispy pork ribs varying degrees of roasting called ribo. The degree of roasting ribo determine the future happy life married couple that takes guests.
The second dish is called riskrem compulsory and represents a cereal dessert, wherein one hidden almond nut. If it gets someone from the guests, he can count on a gift from the hostess and the fact that the whole of the next year he was in all cases will have good luck.
In addition, the Norwegian table have to be baked in seven flavors: pie rings, almond cake, gingerbread, cookies, firewood, bun with raisins and wafers.
In ancient times, due to certain historical circumstances, the Norwegians were not particularly spoiled for good and tasty food. It is for this reason, throughout the country hostess tried to highlight the winter holidays in a series of ordinary days: baked bread from a special flour, cooked a lot of sweet pastries. In fact, even today in all the houses, and even in the shops of the most popular are the incredible complexity and beauty of gingerbread houses and figurines of different animals.
By the way, almost all Norwegian cities, starting from the second half of November, begins large-scale construction of entire cities of ginger cookies.
And Norwegian housewife necessarily bake a special loaf, which is then stored until spring. Among the traditional liquor on Norwegian tables - vodka, ale and Glogg - warm liqueur wine, juice and spices.
Another tradition, which has survived in modern Norway for a long time - candles by injection of fat "Christmas" pig. Animal specially fattened for a long time, and then from tallow candles were drowned, allocating for this special day - November 25. The meat was going to cook dishes for the holiday table, and further reserves.
In Norway love to give and receive gifts. Unlike other countries in Europe and America, on Christmas Eve to the Norwegian kiddies come home gnome named Julenissen and leave their gifts in special boots in cots.
Girls give elected officials personally made "Christmas Puppet." Even the birds give gifts: on the roof, on a long stick, hung a large sheaf, which can feed a whole flock. The more birds arrive it peck, the harvest, and, consequently, the rich will be next year.
In general, guessing in Norway is given a special place. There is a very loved and used by virtually all that is at hand. For example, if the beer when cooking much bubbling and foaming, during Christmas dinner time to be a fight. If out of the chimney belching thick smoke with sparks - to be next year, rich and profitable.
Favorite festive fun Norwegians - sledding with torches, which are then combined into a huge bonfire. And the Norwegians scared like different jokes, especially to make fun of the neighbors, who, instead of offended joke in turn over them.
On the eve before New Year Norwegian family usually visit the church in full, to receive a blessing for the coming year. Needless New Year celebration usually takes place in a quiet family circle with the obligatory congratulations on TV King Harald V. For this holiday gifts to children, according to legends, it brings the goat. Linked to this is a very beautiful legend: one day in the distant past, one of the kings wounded in hunting goat, but he did not kill her, and ordered to cure and release. In gratitude, the goat every year brought to the doorstep of King armful of herbs. And adults in Norway for the new year to get a gift... matches. Here it is considered a symbol of preservation of family warmth and well-being.
New Year holidays in Norway ends on January 13, the day of St. Knut.
