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Page 11 of 11
DECEMBER
December, needless to say is characterized by customs and events of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Though both consist of public and private elements, publications and the image of those festivities stress this season to be that for families.
Christmas/Advent Times in Austria is a very charming business: Christmas illuminations and seasonal arrangements on the streets and window shops, Santa Claus distributes candies, Christmas carols, songs and music, official large Christmas trees for everybody (particularly in front of city halls) while smaller trees with electric candles shine in front gardens and on balconies. A special flair is provided by the popular annual Christmas markets and exhibitions of Christmas cribs during the whole Advent season. Especially noteworthy is the traditional Christmas market of Vienna. Situated on the Rathausplatz (City Hall Square) this market has been hosted since the year 1975. Smaller markets that are a good reason to stay a few days longer in Austria are the Spittelberg market in Vienna and the market on the Fäberplatz (both of which are specialized in arts and crafts), and of course the market on the Freyung, also located in Vienna.
Fascinating crib exhibitions can be admired in the crypt of St. Peter’s in the Inner City of Vienna, in the Salzkammergut (Styria and Upper Austria), as well as in private houses where Christmas cribs enjoy a very long tradition.
Prominent customs in the Advent season are December 4th (Saint Barbara) followed December 6th (known as Saint Nicholas Day). Saint Barbara I the patron of saint miners and similar professional groups. For this reason do not be surprised to find that bigger mining companies organize Barbara ceremonies, e.g. at the “Erdölpfarre” (“petrol parish”) of Matzen (Lower Austria). The custom on this day is to cut a small branch of a fruit tree (e.g. Apple-, cherry-, chestnut-, elder bush-, etc. … branch) and to put it into a warm room in the house. If the branch starts to bloom exactly on Christmas Day then it is seen as a sign of luck in the future.
Customs connected with Saint Nicholas are performed on the eve of his feast. On the evening of December 5th, the holy bishop and his companion appear either in the old way (on foot) or in more modern processions (and often on trucks). These processions are recent developments, probably influenced by the Nicholas traditions of the Netherlands. The legend of Saint Nicholas says that he has a big book which lists all the kids that have been well-behaved and those you were naughty. For well-behaved kids he has nuts, tangerines, and gingerbread.
”Nicholas” and his companion “Krampus“
Immediately before Christmas the so-called “Herbergsuchen” (looking for shelter) heightens the exceptions which are fulfilled on Christmas Eve. The holy couple, Joseph and Maria are looking for a place where the child could be born.
In the afternoon of December 24th, one can hear the “Turmblasen” (playing of melodies on wind-instruments from a tower) in many localities, which is an “invitation” for children to leave the house and apartments where they are more or less in the way of everybody busy with Christmas preparations.
Christmas can be seen as well as heard everywhere: Radio and television are attuned to this feast. A special perspective is the campaign “Licht ins Dunkel” (light for those who live in the dark) since 1973, connected with the bringing in of the “light from Bethlehem” or “light of peace” by the provincial studio of the ORF in Upper Austria together with Austrian Airlines.
On the 25th of December, “Christtag” (Day of Christ) is traditionally a family day. Inns and restaurants are mostly closed. On the following day, St. Stephen’s Day, is the day on which visits are paid and to go out.
Christmas and New Year are the main motives for sending greetings of the season, very often the only correspondence that is still maintained between relatives and friends. Season greetings are also presented orally (“The best for Christmas and the New Year!”) – sometimes accompanied by a little present, like e.g. lucky charms (e.g. four-leaved clover, a small chimney sweeper and pigs, … etc.) for the next year.
On December 31st, (day of Saint Silvester) the old year is being bid farewell: In special Old Year services in churches retrospective summaries are delivered; Newspapers, radio stations and television offer reviews and previews. Groups of hunters shoot farewell to the old year and salute the new one. People at home pass the remaining hours in the old year by trying to find out what lies ahead in the year to come: There are various ways to do so, but one very popular one is the so-called “Bleigießen” in which hot lead is poured into a bowl of cold water and solidifies immediately; the shape of the solid lead is believed to indicate what the next year holds in store for you. Those who choose not to say at home, are most likely to be found celebrating on the Streets (e.g. the St. Stephen’s Square in Vienna is a hot spot), in restaurants, inns or pubs.
If the two possibilities mentioned above do not suit your preferences, you can also attend New Year balls such as the “Emperor’s ball” at the Imperial Palace, or the “Silvesterball” at Porcia castle at Spittal an der Drau (Carinthia). If you are a passionate opera fan, “Fledermaus” (operetta by Johannes Strauß junior) stages in both of the Viennese opera houses (Staatsoper and Volksoper), which is also broadcasted by television.
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