Slovak Holiday Series: New Year's Traditions

Will you slice an apple or throw a shoe?

Some Slovak New Year's traditions are associated with fortunetelling. One is to cut an apple in half. If it reveals a star (without worm damage) a healthy year is ahead. Another is for an unwed woman to throw a shoe over their shoulder with her back toward a door. If the heel points toward the door, she will remain single in the coming year and if the toe points towards the door, she will marry.

Slovak Holiday Traditions Series: Listen to Christmas Services from Europe

On behalf of SEEP sro we wish everyone a very Blessed Christmas and New Year, "Veselé Vánoce a šťastný Nový rok! Listen to Christmas services and programs live from Slovakia via this online web stream via Radio Lumen.

Tour Central Europe: Slovak Holiday Traditions Series 2012: Košice Chri...

Tour Central Europe: Slovak Holiday Traditions Series 2012: Košice Chri...: Photo from "In Time for Christmas" (source: http://lookingforwardtochristmas.blogspot.fr/) Košice will ring in the new year as "The Eu...

Slovak Holiday Traditions Series 2012 - Lokše

Lokše (Christmas Eve Pancake)

Another shared blog post from www.slovakcooking.com, Lubos' recipe for Lokše--a potato dough pancake. When I was in Slovakia we had Lokše with goose but it can be eaten with a savory or sweet accompaniment and often made for the Christmas Eve Vilija meal. Follow this link for the recipe.

Slovak Holiday Traditions Series 2012: 

December 6 - Feast of St. Nicholas, (or Svaty Mikuláš)

In some Slovak towns and villages, St. Svaty Mikuláš arrives in a horse drawn coach, along with an angel and the devil who rattles a chain. Waiting children fill the streets with singing and dancing. St. Nicholas has a present for each child. In some villages he visits each home. To read more and the St. Nicholas tradition along with recipes, visit the St. Nicholas Center at http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/slovakia/.