Christmas

In the Western Balkans, Christmas is celebrated among Serbs, Croats and Montenegrins. There are two types of Christmas which are different for each nation: Orthodox Christmas (celebrated by Serbs and Montenegrins) and Catholic Christmas (celebrated by Croats).

Orthodox Christmas

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7 by Serbs and Montenegrins in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia and other countries. They celebrate it differently from Russians, Ukrainians, Romanians and other nations, because they have many unique customs. Christmas is thought to be ‘the happiest time of the year’.

Christmas Eve – Badnje veče

Christmas Eve (also literally translated as Christmas Eve’s Day) is a day almost as important as Christmas. The Serbian name of “Badnje veče” is derived from “Badnjak“, which is a branch cut from a small tree such as the Turkey oak. Badnjak carries a lot of significance to Orthodox Serbian Christmas.

In the early morning of Christmas Eve, even before the sunrise, the head of the family and other male members of the family have to wake up early and head to the forest in order to cut Badnjak. If there is no Turkey oak in presence, they can use other types of oak, and if not available, they usually opt for trees such as beech, pear. quince, hornbeam or pear. In case of Montenegro, which has a different type of flora, other types of trees are used, such as olive, laurel, elm or strawberry tree.

The ritual of cutting Badnjak varies locally. Traditionally, after the family head finds the appropriate tree, he has to stand in front of it, facing the east. He pours žito (a type of cereal made of nuts and wheat) over it. Then he says “Good morning and have a fair Christmas Eve”.