Poland's 12-course Christmas Eve Tradition

Wigilia, the Polish Christmas Eve celebration, is one of the most important events of the holiday season in the country.

Christmas Eve in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo: Thanh Chau)

The name Wigilia comes from “wieczerza” – an old Polish word for a formal dinner. Wigilia is also traditionally a day of Lent in the Catholic calendar, with a 12-course menu that is mostly vegetarian or fish.

Wigilia Tradition in Poland

On Wigilia, red meat is completely absent from the menu, replaced by fish and dishes made from seasonal ingredients. Wigilia means “vigil” in English, and is a Christmas Eve meal rich in family flavor and a festive atmosphere. It is a solemn event that lasts for hours.

The Wigilia table usually includes 12 typical dishes such as mushroom soup, carp, herring, rye bread, pierogi (small dumplings, similar to wontons with fillings such as potatoes, cabbage or mushrooms), sauerkraut, gołąbki (stuffed cabbage rolls), honey vodka and desserts such as kołaczki (Christmas cookies).

Wigilia is not only a celebration, but it is also associated with many customs. A white tablecloth, symbolizing purity and health, is used for the Wigilia table. Hay or straw is placed under the tablecloth as a reminder of Jesus' manger bed. In addition, an empty place on the table is reserved for unexpected guests or to remember deceased relatives. Some families also leave the table untouched all night because it is believed that the souls of deceased family members may visit on this night and may want to enjoy some of their favorite foods. This is a way to show hospitality and family bonding during the holiday.

Wigilia - Traditional Christmas Eve meal. (Source: fanex.pl)

12 course meal in Wigilia

The number of 12 dishes on the Wigilia table symbolizes the 12 apostles, the 12 months of the year and economic prosperity. This tradition has existed for a long time, although in the past the number of dishes could be more flexible.

The preparation of the Wigilia menu is elaborate. Although many restaurants and shops offer ready-made products, Poles still prefer to cook their own dishes according to traditional family recipes. Herring is served with sour apples and onions; mushroom soup or barszcz (beetroot) are popular choices.

The most popular main dish in Wigilia is carp – a symbol of luck and prosperity. Many families also tuck carp scales under their plates or keep them in their wallets as a way to attract good luck for the new year.

Christmas Eve in the old town of Poland. (Source: Wikipedia)

Spread to the world

Poles who emigrated during the war years of both world wars and the two-century-long struggle for independence have maintained their religious and cultural traditions abroad. Among them, the Polish community in Britain is the largest and most prominent.

In cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, Wigilia is often celebrated as a major event, attracting multicultural families to come together and celebrate traditions. Anglo-Polish multicultural families celebrate Wigilia on 24 December and enjoy a traditional English Christmas on 25 December.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/wigilia-truyen-thong-an-12-mon-dem-giang-sinh-cua-ba-lan-297633.html