On behalf of the Jagiellonian University Polish Research Centre, we cordially invite you to the Living Workshop of the Christmas Traditions, to be held on the 1st December 2013 between 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
During the workshops, you will have an opportunity to learn how Christmas was celebrated 100 years ago and which of the old customs have survived until today? Is it necessary to eat borscht with dumplings and carp in order to feel the magic of Christmas? What does the true secret of Christmas Eve dishes consist in? Is the wafer only for eating? Who brought children presents before Santa Claus? What does decorating the tree have in common with getting married? What does “kutia” on the ceiling portend?
These are only some of the questions that will come up during the day of intensive experiences with Living Christmas Traditions. Barbara Mołas and Agnieszka Nowakowska from the Ethnographic Museum in Krakow invite everyone to a common, family discovering of the roots of Christmas. You will explore the secrets of this extraordinary time in various ways – from the manual, ethnographic, as well as theatre and music sides of things. There are workshops of artistic handicraft awaiting us: during these, you will prepare traditional Christmas tree decorations. You will discover anew many forgotten, frequently surprising Christmas ceremonies and customs, whose source lies both in Christian and in pagan traditions. While making masks to use during caroling and learning traditional lyrics, you will prepare an improvised, exuberant spectacle of the celebrations with Turoń [the horned creature accompanying the carolers].
More information on: the Jagiellonian University Polish Research Centre