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Christmas traditions in Podravina

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��Koprivnica,�                            Podravina�Croatia

OUR  TOWN IS SITUATED IN THE NORTH-WEST CROATIA. THIS CONTINENTAL PART OF OUR COUNTRY IS CLOSE TO RIVER DRAVA, SO IT IS CALLED PODRAVINA. 

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS ARE NOT  THE SAME IN ALL PARTS OF CROATIA NOR IN ALL FAMILIES SO HERE ARE SOME WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU: 

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Advent

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DURING THE ADVENT PERIOD WE LIGHT 1 CANDLE EVERY SUNDAY, 4 SUNDAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

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THE CANDLES SYMBOLISE LIGHT AND EACH CANDLE ALSO SYMBOLISES ONE CHRISTMAS VIRTUE: HOPE, PEACE, LOVE AND JOY .

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Christmas Eve, 24th December

  • SOME FAMILIES DECORATE  THE CHRISTMAS  TREE AND THE HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AND SOME DECORATE  THEM BEFORE. 
  • THIS IS A PHOTO OF A TRADITIONAL WAY OF DECORATING A FIR BRANCH. MOST PEOPLE  TODAY DON'T MAKE THE DECORATIONS, THEY BUY THEM.

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Christmas Day, 25th December

  • MANY PEOPLE  ATTEND  THE  MIDNIGHT  MASS

 AND /OR  THE MASS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

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  • PRESENTS FOUND UNDER 

THE  CHRISTMAS  TREE 

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  • WE HAVE LUNCH WITH FAMILY MEMBERS

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Food

  • SEAFOOD (USUALLY FISH) AND VEGETABLES

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  • SOME PEOPLE FAST ON THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

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Christmas lunch

  • TURKEY WITH SPECIAL KIND OF HOME MADE PASTA FLAKES CALLED "MLINCI"

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  • LAMB OR PORK WITH VEGETABLES AND SALAD

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Cookies and cakes

  • WE USUALLY MAKE A FEW SORTS OF COOKIES WHICH WE CAN EAT DURING THE WINTER BREAK
  • SOME FAMILIES BAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES TOGETHER.

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Traditional Christmas tree and table

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School tradition in Gimnazija�� "Fran Galović" Koprivnica

  • EACH  CLASS  DECORATES  THEIR  CHRISTMAS  TREE
  • A  JURY  GIVES  POINTS  TO  THE BEST  TREES  
  • 3 WINNING CLASSES  GET PRIZES
  • WE PROTECT  THE ENVIRONMENT: 

TREES ARE MOSTLY MADE FROM 

RECYCLABLE MATERIAL  OR

DECORATIONS ARE SAVED FOR NEXT  YEAR 

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This year’s tree of teachers’ wishes for students

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We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year 2022!