Christmas Day in Latvia

Christmas Day in Latvia, known as "Ziemassvētki", is celebrated on December 25th and is a culmination of the festive season that blends Christian traditions with ancient Latvian winter solstice customs. The holiday period stretches from Advent until the Epiphany on January 6th, with Christmas Eve being particularly significant.

History and Traditions

The traditions surrounding Christmas in Latvia have evolved over time, incorporating pre-Christian pagan elements. The ancient Latvians celebrated the winter solstice, calling it "Yule," a time marked by feasts and recognition of the rebirth of the sun. With the advent of Christianity, these customs were adapted to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Latvian Christmas traditions include:

• Decorating Christmas Trees: Latvia claims one of the first recorded instances of a decorated Christmas tree in Riga's town square in 1510.
• Advent: The four weeks leading up to Christmas are observed with an Advent wreath and candles symbolizing anticipation for Christ's birth.
• Christmas Eve (Ziemassvētku vakars): This evening is especially important with families gathering for a lavish meal that traditionally includes twelve dishes symbolizing the months of the year.
• Mumming (Maskošanās): A folk tradition where people dress in costumes and visit neighbors to bring blessings, chase away evil spirits, and ensure a good harvest.
• Gift Giving: Exchanging gifts is common on either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
• Singing Carols: Caroling remains a popular activity reflecting both pagan and Christian influences.

Modern Celebrations

On Christmas Day, Latvians often attend church services. Afterwards, families gather for a festive meal that might include dishes such as grey peas with bacon, sauerkraut, pork roast, gingerbread cookies (piparkūkas), and other traditional foods. Homes are usually decorated with candles and lights to create a warm atmosphere during the dark winter days.

People take this time to relax with family members, enjoying each other's company and often sharing stories or playing games. It's also common for some families to visit cemeteries on Christmas Day to light candles for deceased relatives as a way of including them in the celebrations.