We will discuss traditions and customs around Christmas season in two
countries of Southeastern Europe here. These are - Malta and Turkey.
Southeast European countries have unique Christmas traditions:
In Malta, Christmas Eve and Midnight Mass are the most important
of all the Christmas celebrations. Maltese Christmas traditions
center around the church in the crib known as 'Presepju'. Smaller
versions of this crib are known as 'Grolta'. There is one crib at
least in all homes. Crib figures called 'Pasturi' are popular and
have Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the shepherds, angels, villagers and
farm animals such as cattle around them. These cribs are adorned
with lights and plants. All families dress up in new festive clothes
to attend the Midnight mass where maltese carols are sung. A
ten-year-old boy reads the Nativity story as the highlight of the
Mass, after which everybody greets each other saying 'Il-Milied
It-Taijeb' or 'Merry Christmas'.
St. Nicholas is believed to be born in Patara in Turkey. He is
remembered as a famous Turkish archbishop who was especially kind to
children. In the nearby town of Demre, his birth is celebrated every
year in a three-day long festival that falls in early December.
