Christmas

Christmas is tinged with sadness this year for Czechs.

The 'People's President' Vaclav Havel passed away a few days ago and the country is in mourning.  It seems he touched the lives of many people, who saw him not only as their political leader that transitioned the country from communism to democracy, but as a fellow friend, someone who was looking out for them.  He was a person who lived by his simple motto, 'Truth and love must prevail over lies and hate'. 

His death I suppose is in some way the end of an era, but in other ways it reminds the Czechs that the struggles and hardships that its people and country suffered didn't happen that long ago.  For anyone under 30 it's hard to imagine but there are still generations who still feel the after affects of communism.  My husband's family are one such example - torn apart by family members running away and not being able to return for years.

Christmas will of course continue, and the Czechs it seems love this holiday as much as the Brits do, the Christmas markets still draw the crowds, there are intricate nativity scenes dotted around Prague, Svarak (or mulled wine) can be found on every corner, and there are decorations and trees everywhere.

Czechs celebrate on the 24th of December, and it's mainly centered around an evening meal.  I suppose it's no surprise that a nation of meat-lovers has fish on this special day, but it's no ordinary fish....it's carp which has spent the year growing exponentially in ponds around the country.  The fish get 'harvested' in November when the ponds are drained and the fish are moved temporarily to farms ready for the supermarkets and markets.

But naturally most people like to buy their carp fresh....but if you want it really fresh you'll buy it live from the many fish tanks around town, take it home and keep it in the bath tub for a few days.


Just make sure you've had a bath first.


...some carp lucky and get released back to ponds and rivers once the kids have made pets out of them, others are destined for the chop if you're not too squeamish 
(I'm thinking we might just get a filet...).


Then it’s breaded and fried and served with a potato salad.


The Christmas tradition here is that Ježíšek, a sort of baby Jesus, brings presents under the tree and lights the sparklers on the tree at the same time after the meal is finished....it's always a bit of a struggle working that one out whilst sitting at the table, and not burning the house down.


Ježíšek is having a hard time in the Czech Republic at the moment - because the much more robust and commercial Santa Claus has muscled his way in on the scene and traditionalists are up in arms.  The problem is Ježíšek / baby Jesus just doesn't have a great marketing image, he's not arriving on a great big sleigh with bells tinkling shouting 'ho ho ho', in fact most of the time he's not even depicted at all.


My kids are lucky.  They get to celebrate twice as Ježíšek and Father Christmas have worked it out between themselves, they get a gift under the tree on the 24th, and a stocking on the 25th so let there be peace and harmony between all.

My family are due in the next few days, which we're very excited about - so before the christmas madness begins.... 

All that's left for me to say is Veselé Vánoce and Štastný nový rok....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year  xxx

Creative, Crafty, Christmas...

I'm tempted to lie and say I made these, and overnight I was transformed into this creative goddess, but I suppose it wouldn't be fair on the children.

Yes, they made them  - it was nothing to do with me....They did it all at school and yesterday we went to the 'christmas craft fair' where each class had produced a different selection of products to sell.

I have to say I was really impressed.

but I shouldn't be surprised, Czechs seem like quite a handy bunch...in fact I think Martha Stewart the American Queen of Home Making must have had some Czech in her.

Czech women have this gene that I swear Western women don't have - they can bake 100 different types of Christmas biscuits, make stunning home made decorations which they magically sprinkle about the house like fairies....(and talking about fairies they must have at least 5 cleaning ones working for them).

And then to add insult to injury, they themselves look immaculate, effortlessly groomed and quaffed.

It's just not possible.

It's just not bloody fair.

At the craft sale my son's teacher reminded me that they have a Christmas party next week and mums again can bake something to bring in, she quickly added, but if you don't bake you can bring some juice.

Now I have a dilemma.  Do I just bring in the juice? Or do I rise to the challenge, pinny on, rolling pin at the ready and show these Czech teachers just what they've been missing?

Cool head, warm heart

On Friday my daughter was rejected from the Christmas concert.

She played out of rhythm on the piano and so the teacher told her in no uncertain terms that she couldn’t play.

I think my daughter was a bit shocked.

To tell you the truth so was I.

I’m still not quite used to the direct way in which Czech teachers operate. 

I have to smile when I think about how the mums in our old school in London would take the news that their 9 year old had been unceremoniously dumped from the Christmas concert because they played The Entertainer too fast.       

They would be up in arms.

There would be outrage.

Frankly the headteacher would be hung drawn and quartered, or at least be asked to step down ; )

Instead we have to take it in our stride, and laugh with the kids about how things are different here.

Thank the Lord…the kids have been doing super well in class (phew, can you imagine otherwise?...I shudder to think).  In fact both were given something called a ‘Pochval’, a certificate of praise, it was a real surprise for all of us, including the kids, when they received it so that was nice.

But even funnier was that even though the kids both scored an average of 1 (the highest grade) on their certificates, the comments written by the teachers weren't full of superlatives and praise, ‘excellent work, great job, brilliant effort’ -  instead there was a brief mention on how they are doing well, but then a list of ways in which they could improve!   

Czechs aren’t known for their smiles and warmth, even though underneath they have a heart of gold - it takes quite a while for the icy exterior to melt. 
However, once they get to know you they will do anything for you.

And it always amazes me how much they do help each other.  I often think it’s something really missing from our Western European lives, the ability to help each other without blinking an eye, a sort of community spirit amongst friends and rellies.  For example, it’s really common for women to go back to work and Grandparents are the main carers here, if you need something done like plumbing you call a friend not a professional.  You never pay anyone, maybe you'll cook them a meal, give them a bottle, or return the favour someday but it's not expected.

I used to get annoyed when my husband would announce a friend of a friend of a friend was suddenly coming to stay on our sofa bed for god knows how long.... but now I’m used to it and I realise that it's really nice to have that support, and maybe it comes from communist era when times were tough and you shared what you had, whether it was a skill or a floor to crash on....I don't know.


One thing I do know though is that it can take a bloomin' long time to pierce that cool facade....

But I should be celebrating.  One mum asked me for a coffee last week... Hurrah!  It only took 3 months ; )