The Czech Republic, I am learning, has several Christmas traditions I hadn't heard of until this month. They eat carp and potato salad on Christmas Eve. They cut apples in half, with the core lying horizontally, and if you don't see a star formation inside the apple, you'll die. They place candles in water, and among the various options include whether you will stay put or leave, whether you'll be alone or with someone, or whether you'll die. Lots of Christmas traditions here include the possibility of dying, including the likelihood of jumping off a bridge upon hearing Mariah Carey's Christmas song one too many times.
The Czechs do have their own Christmas carols, and the one I learned along with several co-workers in our Czech class is called Půjdem spolu do Betléma ("Let's go to Bethlehem together").
This video's YouTube link has lyrics in Czech, but if you're looking for a translation, here goes:
People are going to Bethlehem to see Baby Jesus. As they march, the characters in the song are commanded to play their instruments: Kubo on the bagpipes, Janku on the flute, Mikši on the violin and Vávro on bass. Upon seeing Jesus in the manger, they will rock him -- albeit not in this way or this way. (Or this way, for that matter.)
Our Czech class sang this carol on Friday, as our teacher Martina played the song on the guitar. Upon her command, we became part of the carol, adding our own sounds for the guitar, drums, saxophone and xylophone, among others. It was the greatest collection of all-stars to sing a Christmas song since, well, you know the answer, don't you?
They have some interesting traditions, but then I'm sure some of the things done in the US are strange to the Czechs! Hope you get a chance to go to Haverhill while you're stateside--the house is looking great!
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