In Albania, Christmas is one of the most popular festivals and celebrated with great merriment by the local people who observe the occassion as a commemoration of the birth of Lord Jesus. The population of the country is mixed with Muslems and Christians. But Christmas in Albania is unique, what with both the communities celebrating the occassion with almost equal fervor.
Albanians share a wonderful bond with their family members and for them, family values stand above anything else. Hence Christmas in Albania is a family affair. Here, people love to celebrate the festival in the company of their entire family.
The Christmas traditions observed here are more or less similar to that of the rest of the world. Popular customs such as attending the midnight mass on 24th night and going to the church in the morning is religiously followed by all the Christians of Albania. The gift giving tradition, as observed in other western countries, has been in practice here too for a long time. During Christmas, Albanians exchange gifts with their friends, family members and all those they interact with for the rest of the year.
Feasting takes a prominent place in the Christmas celebrations in Albania. On Christmas Day, every home in the country cook up sumptuous Christmas meals in the conventional manner. Stuffed Turkey and delectable desserts form the most important part of Christian meals. A specialty of the Albanian Christmas dinner is "Bakllava", the famous dessert known as "Baklavash" in America. One of the tastiest dishes of Christmas dinner in Albania, the "Bakllava" is actually like a pie, but far more tough to prepare.
The Christmas Tree is a prominent feature of Albanian Christmas. In Tirana, the capital city of Albania, a huge Christmas tree is decorated annually during Christmas. This is very similar to the famous Christmas tree decoration of New York. In many renowned hotels in the country, lavish parties are organized during the festival.
Christmas Weddings in Albania
ReplyDeleteChristmas weddings in Albania, if we look at a modern perspective, don’t seem to be any different from any other regular wedding around the world. What makes it different is the atmosphere of the place where these ceremonies are held. Albanian Christmas is traditionally held by the whole family, like a joyful reunion that tightens relationships and bonds with each member, and brings the family even closer to each other.
Naturally, a wedding ceremony during Christmas in Albania will be held in the same manner, with all the family members gathering together, preparing feasts, and generally enjoying the celebration. Having the wedding ceremony done during this time will of course trigger the Albanian Christmas spirit that extends to each of the family members of the couple being wed. It then becomes a huge bonding ceremony, creating a lasting relationship with both families through the wed couple.
After the wedding ceremony, some newly wed Albanians tend to drive their cars across towns honking their horns, while another family member (also in a vehicle) catches on to the side, recording the entire event. However, you may have to find out for yourself what will happen if they are do such during Christmas.
Baklava is normally prepared in large pans. Many layers of phyllo dough, separated with melted butter, are laid in the pan. A layer of chopped nuts—typically walnuts or pistachios, but hazelnuts are also sometimes used—is placed on top, then more layers of phyllo. Most recipes have multiple layers of phyllo and nuts, though some have only top and bottom pastry.
ReplyDeleteBefore baking, the dough is cut into regular pieces, often parallelograms (lozenge-shaped), triangles, or rectangles.
A syrup, which may include honey, rosewater, or orange flower water is poured over the cooked baklava and allowed to soak in.
Baklava is usually served at room temperature, often garnished with ground nuts.