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.

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/.

Easter Monday in Central Europe | Hollókő, Hungary

Today's post features some Holy Week and post Easter traditions from the Northern Hungarian village of Hollókő. Like their Slovak neighbors to the North, dunking of young girls with water on Easter Monday is still celebrated. To learn more, click here.