Hey Traveller,

One of the things I miss the most about France (other than the food – especially the bread) is the winter time. Although my very favourite season is spring, winter in some parts of Europe is a truly magical period. The short cold days and long even colder nights are not, as some believe, a dreary experience to be tolerated. Not only can a beautiful blanket of snow give a sense of wonder, but the cultures that evolved in those areas have developed great social tactics to maintain a cheerful and positive attitude through these otherwise historically difficult months.

The further north you go, the more the winter months are synonymous with festivals and celebrations, and in France, with delicacies and specialty drinks and dished. In Australia, Christmas falls during Summer, and it’s just not the same, then during the cold winter months we don’t usually have these types of festivals or celebrations. Fortunately, following the overwhelming success of the Christmas (in July) Festival and French inspired Food, Wine & Winter Market that finally came to us last year (after cancelling two years in a row due to COVID), Canberra has once again welcomed this event in 2023.

However, it's only here for a few days and ends tomorrow. I went on Thursday and Friday and quite enjoyed it, though It didn't have as many decorations and things as I'd have liked, so you won't get a real feel for it - then again, knowing the real thing, it was never going to be up to my snobby standards. Having said that, there was a good and diverse range of foods and produce from across western Europe available, so you'll at least get a good taste for it. Anyway, I am sending this out today rather than on a Sunday like I normally do, so that you don't miss out if you have the opportunity to go (rug up, it's cold, and it can get a bit muddy).

This is a great way to get a small taste of what awaits you in Europe over the Christmas/New Year period and the winter months. As you continue reading, I hope to give you a bit of a feel for the experiences you can look forward to if you are keen to explore that part of the world during this time.

But first, let’s dig up the 'roots' of Christmas in Europe! Before tinsel and twinkling lights, Christmas had very different origins in various parts of Europe. Stemming from pre-Christian traditions, it was a celebration of the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and the subsequent return of the sun.

The Ancient Roots of Christmas around Europe –

Throughout Europe, the winter solstice has been a time of reverence for millennia. The Norse people marked this time with the Yule festival, fires were lit to symbolize heat and light, and a Yule log was burned in a tradition that continues in many homes today. Norse mythology tells us of Odin, who, during Yule, would traverse the sky riding his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.

The concept of animals flying through the night sky may have been influenced by this, however Santa's team of flying reindeer, a key component of Christmas folklore, more likely finds its roots in ancient beliefs from the Northern-most parts of Europe. The Sami people, native to the region, have had a deep connection with reindeer for centuries, relying on them for transportation, food, and companionship. The transformation of these humble creatures into magical flying reindeer may be a result of centuries of cultural exchanges between the Sami and the Inuit, who have a shared appreciation of nature's cyclical rhythm (a cornerstone of many European Winter celebrations) and further cultural exchanges making their way down via the Vikings and then to the Celtic cultures.

The Celts, who were spread across the British Isles and much of Western Europe before the arrival of the Romans and later Christianity, deeply venerated the natural world. Their rituals and festivals were largely tied to agricultural cycles and celestial events, including the winter solstice. The Celts marked this turning point with the festival of Alban Arthan, which means 'Light of Winter' in Welsh. It celebrated the rebirth of the Sun after the longest night of the year. Among the symbols of this festival was the Holly King, a figure believed to rule over the season and later incorporated into Christmas symbolism with the Christianization of Celtic lands.

Similarly, in Rome, Saturnalia was a week-long feast honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. This holiday saw social norms turned on their head, with feasts, gift-giving, and a temporary reprieve for Roman slaves - perhaps a hint of the season of goodwill we know today.

Influence of Christianity on Existing Traditions –

With the spread of Christianity across Europe during the Middle Ages, many of these pagan celebrations were incorporated into Christian rituals. In the 4th century, Pope Julius I declared December 25th as the official date for the birth of Christ, assimilating Saturnalia and the winter solstice traditions.

Over time, Yule was Christianized. The 12-day feast became synonymous with the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Yule log tradition continued, with the log symbolizing the warmth of family and friends during the cold winter days.

The arrival of Christianity in the Celtic lands brought significant changes to existing traditions there too. Christian leaders often fused pagan celebrations with Christian ones to ease the transition and encourage conversion. As such, many elements of the Celtic winter solstice celebrations were incorporated into Christian festivities.

The most notable of these is the celebration of Christmas around the time of the winter solstice. The Christian narrative of the birth of Jesus, the light of the world, resonated with the Celtic celebration of the return of the sun. Thus, the date of Christmas was set around the same time as Alban Arthan.

Moreover, the Celtic symbol of the Holly King found resonance in Christian symbolism. Holly became associated with the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during his crucifixion, with the red holly berries symbolizing his blood. Today, holly remains a common decoration during the Christmas season, a subtle nod to its Celtic roots.

Modern Traditions and Influences –

Nowadays, countries across Northern Europe celebrate Christmas in unique and diverse ways, largely influenced by their historical and cultural backgrounds. Steeped in these deep-rooted customs, the Christmas season across Europe is as diverse as it is vibrant. Each country adds its unique thread to a rich tapestry of traditions that contribute to our modern celebrations, weaving a splendid range of traditions that have been passed down through generations, and sometimes somewhat more recently.

For example, the modern-day image of Santa Claus in a red suit is a relatively recent development, popularized by Coca Cola's advertising in the 1930s. Earlier depictions of Saint Nicholas, the model for Santa Claus, often portrayed him in various colours of robes, including green. The British figure of Father Christmas, who merged with Santa Claus over time, was also often shown wearing a green coat. This likely harks back to the 'Green Man' of ancient British folklore, a symbol of the renewing power of nature. The colour green in these traditions symbolized the return of spring, hope, and the eternal cycle of life.

Nonetheless, as we journey through Europe's diverse winter festivals, we're not only exploring different cultures but also witnessing centuries of shared history, influence, and the universal human spirit of celebration. Today, Europe lights up with unique celebrations throughout the winter season, and each country offers a glimpse into its rich cultural tapestry through distinct customs and celebrations.

Germany: Home to the original Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkts), Germany brims with festive cheer each December. Key highlights include the Dresden Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest markets, where you can enjoy the famous Dresden Christstollen, a rich fruitcake. Germans also celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, when children leave shoes or boots outside their door, hoping to find them filled with treats from St. Nicholas in the morning.

United Kingdom: Brits celebrate Christmas with a number of unique customs. One is the tradition of 'crackers' - colorful tubes that make a 'crack' when pulled apart, releasing small gifts and a paper crown (and sometimes a joke). The Queen's Speech, broadcast on Christmas Day, has also been a significant tradition (let’s see if the King makes one this year), as is the serving of mince pies and Christmas pudding.

Sweden: On December 13th, St. Lucia's Day is celebrated. Processions of women and girls, led by one chosen to portray Lucia wearing a crown of candles, bring light and song to communities. Also, in the province of Gävle, a giant straw goat is erected each December, a quirky tradition that has garnered international fame.

Finland: In Finland, Santa Claus is known as Joulupukki, or Yule Goat. It's customary to enjoy a sauna before attending Christmas Eve services. Finns also visit cemeteries to remember loved ones, a tradition that fills graveyards with a gentle glow from countless candles.

Italy: Italians celebrate the season with the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. La Befana, a witch who fills children's stockings with treats, is celebrated on Epiphany (January 6th). In Vatican City, midnight Mass with the Pope is a significant event, attracting visitors worldwide.

Spain: The Christmas season extends into January, culminating in Three Kings Day (Epiphany) on January 6th. Children leave their shoes out the night before, hoping to find gifts left by the Three Kings. Unique to Catalonia is the "Caga Tió," a decorated log that "delivers" treats when children hit it with sticks while singing traditional songs (perhaps itself a pre-cursor to the Mexican Pinata?).

Iceland: The Yule Lads, 13 troll-like characters, visit homes across the 13 days leading to Christmas. Each night, children leave their best shoes by the window, and the Yule Lad visiting that day leaves gifts or plays tricks, depending on the child's behavior.

The Netherlands: Dutch children celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th. Dressed as St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas visits children and distributes gifts. He's often accompanied by helpers known as 'Zwarte Pieten.' Another tradition is the baking of speculaas, spiced shortcrust biscuits, often in the shape of windmills or Sinterklaas (you can often find these at Aldi during the Christmas period).

France: Bordering several countries, and cultures, France alone has a range of different traditions. In the region of Provence, nativity scenes include clay figures called 'santons' depicting traditional life. In Lyon, the Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) around December 8th sees the city adorned with spectacular light displays. In Strasbourg, the Christmas markets and decorations are phenomenal. In French households, children place their shoes or slippers (souliers) by the fireplace, hoping Père Noël fills them with gifts. However, Père Noël (Father Christmas) doesn't journey alone, in his wake is a less cheerful companion - Père Fouettard (Father Whipper).

This character is a stark contrast to the benevolent Père Noël. Père Fouettard is tasked with the duty of dispensing punishment to children who have found themselves on the 'naughty' list (much worse than just leaving a piece of coal instead of a present). The lore around Père Fouettard traces back to an old French legend, and his portrayal is often as a man with a sinister face, dressed in dark robes.

This duo of Père Noël and Père Fouettard brings a blend of excitement and a hint of trepidation to the French Christmas season. The story serves as a reminder to children about the importance of good behaviour, intertwining morality with the festive spirit. Interestingly, the dichotomy of Père Noël and Père Fouettard mirrors the Inuit tradition of the 'qalupalik,' and echoes are found in various other European traditions such as Iceland's Yule Lads and their accompanying Yule Cat, a creature who punishes those who haven't received new clothes (a sign of laziness). Such narratives underscore a shared human desire to instil moral values through the magic and charm of folklore.

As we unwrap these layers of history, we get a richer understanding of our shared heritage and the enduring significance of this time of year. These historical transformations and fascinating cross-cultural exchanges have shaped the Christmas celebrations we know today (and many hints can be found in the various Christmas songs and carols we sing). They remind us of our shared human need to bring light, warmth, and joy into the heart of winter, regardless of our religious or cultural beliefs.

As we travel across Europe, be it on a Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise or a Scandinavian Northern Lights Tour, we continue to experience the richness of these traditions, each adding its unique charm to our festive season.

When you are ready for your next adventure I can help you design your trip down to the last meticulously managed detail; recommend the best tours with the most experienced and knowledgeable guides; access great deals on the most amazing cruise destinations with fantastic lectures and authentic encounters; and offer itineraries that will provide the most meaningful journeys, enriching experiences, and memorable stories to share. Give me a call and let’s get started! Or click here to contact me now!

And remember:

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Have a wonderful day,
Best regards

Nic

Your Personal Travel Manager

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