On 18th December youth conduced an interview connected with Christmas. The interview took place in the Commune Center of Culture and Ecology in Plichtów because of EVS project "Echoes of Europe". For the questions respond women who live in Nowosolna Commune - Ms Halina Żaromińska, Ms Helena Kałuda, Ms Barbara Fils and Ms Regina Piątkowska.

What is "Advent"?

Ms H. Kałuda and Ms H. Żaromińska: Advent is time of waiting for Lord’s coming. In the past people didn’t eat fatty and meaty food during Advent. There weren’t organized any parties.

Is the habit of sending Christmas cards still popular?

Ms R. Piątkowska: In my house, I was responsible for writing wishes and sending cards to family and friends. Nowadays, at the time of computers and Internet there are prepared SMS and e-mails. More and more rarely people send Christmas cards. But my dad still sends Christmas cards.

Ms H. Żaromińska: I think that there’re still people who send Christmas cards, you only have to go to the post office - people buy and send Christmas cards.

Which traditions are associated with Christmas Eve in Poland?

Ms H. Kałuda: I was always waiting with my siblings near the window to see the first star and to begin Christmas Eve supper .

Ms H. Żaromińska: Jesus was born in a manger on hay and the custom of putting hay under tablecloth is connected with it. It’s a symbol of faith. Free place setting at the table has always been for a stranger or for spirit of the dead - a person who passed away during the year.

Ms R. Piątkowska: I've always been dealing with the preparations of gifts - so-called "Stars ". Christmas connotes me long queues in the shops and the smell of citrus. At that time citrus were a rarity. Peel of fruit were used for cakes. Except Christmas citrus weren’t available. For Christmas there were prepared cakes like cheesecake, poppyseed cake and yeast cake. People prepared dumplings during Christmas Eve. The star has always been a symbol of Christmas Eve, but you sat and started supper when everything on the farm was already done.

What kind of dishes do people prepare for Christmas Eve?

Ms H. Kałuda and Ms H. Żaromińska: There should be 12 dishes. First of all cabbage with peas, cabbage with mushrooms, herrings, carp - fried and jellied, compote of dried fruit, red borsch, mushroom soup, fried mushrooms, bread.

Ms R. Piątkowska: Mushroom soup, dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, with cheese, with poppyseed. In my house we always prepare cheated dumplings - with salty stuffing or with coffee. On the table you can find red borsch, fried or jellied carp, herrings, formerly - cod in vinegary pickle, rice with honey and butter, noodles with poppyseeds, bean with butter. Each dish has its own symbol.

Are there any superstitions associated with Christmas Eve?

Ms H. Żaromińska: Last time I found out that on Christmas Eve you shouldn’t lend anything to anyone. The person who borrows something takes luck and weal.

Ms R. Piątkowska: On Christmas Eve, you have settle your debts to not have them in New Year. Some years ago if a woman was pregnant, it was pointed out who comes home like first one on Christmas Eve - if the first was man – woman will have a boy, if the first was woman – she will have a girl.

What is the "Midnight Mass"?

Ms H. Kałuda and Ms H. Żaromińska: This is a solemn mass, which starts at midnight. Jesus was born probably at night and it’s also a thanksgiving mass. Shepherds have noticed a star in the sky and they came to the stable.

What does the custom of decorating the Christmas tree look like?

Ms H. Kałuda: Egg shells were decorated with colorful tissue paper and we prepared angels from them. Chains were often made of straw and tissue paper, we decorated nuts, there was no electricity, so instead of lights - candles appeared on the Christmas tree .

Ms H. Żaromińska and Ms B. Flis: People prepared stars made of paper, baskets with nuts, they hung  apples, cookies and candies on Christmas tree. Chains were made of colorful paper.

What is the most important for Christmas?

Ms H. Żaromińska: It is said that Christmas is a family holidays with friendly atmosphere. Families gather in larger or smaller circle and probably it’s the most important.