Traditions of New Year / Christmas

Multiple Choice

Bulgarians follow the Orthodox 40-day Advent fast and invite an odd number of guests for a feast with ... of dishes.

• a big number of

• odd number of

• even number of

Multiple Choice

Another special aspect of the  Bulgarian Christmas Eve meal is a round loaf of bread that has a _____ baked inside. This custom says that the person who finds the ______ will be rewarded with good fortune.

• jam

• raisin

• coin

Multiple Choice

Christmas carolers or __________, go from house to house throughout Bulgarian villages on Christmas, starting at midnight on Christmas Eve. These groups of carolers are typically made up of young men dressed in traditional costumes, which vary from region to region.

• Zelevidari

• Koledari

• Kolenavari

Multiple Choice

One of the obligatory Bulgarian meals on New Year's Eve is the ______. It is a typical Bulgarian filo pastry with eggs and cheese. What is special here, however, is that on New Year’s Eve every slice of the _____ contains a small lucky charm, written on a piece of paper (similar to a fortune cookie).

• lutenitsa

• bob chorba

• banitsa

• kufte

Multiple Choice

What is the most popular drink that Mexicans prepare during the posadas? (*Las Posadas are Christmas festivities that commemorate the journey of Joseph and Mary)

• Margaritas

• • Ponche

• Mayan tea

Multiple Choice

Which symbolic figure is central to Mexican Christmas celebrations? 

• Santa Claus

• The Three Wise Men

• Frosty the Snowman

• Saint Nikolas

Multiple Choice

In Mexico, during Christmas, it is a tradition to break a piñata in the shape of a star with seven peaks. What do the seven peaks represent? (*Piñata is a container, often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth, that is decorated, filled with candy.)

• 7 a lucky number

• The seven wonders of the world

• The seven capital sins

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the "Posadas" in Mexican Christmas celebrations?

• Fireworks display

• Neighborhood parades

• Reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter

Multiple Choice

Among the traditional Polish Christmas dishes is the fish that Poles only eat for Christmas:

• herring

• shark

• carp

• perch

Multiple Choice

"Pasterka" is ...

• traditional Christmas family game

• traditional Polish Christmas song

• traditional Polish dish

• the Christmas mass that is held at midnight

Multiple Choice

In Poland nothing is to be eaten until all members of the family have broken the Christmas wafer (_________) together and exchanged wishes for good health and prosperity. __________ is baked from wheat flour and water, usually rectangular.

• zurek

• opłatek

• rosół

• oscypek

Multiple Choice

According to Polish tradition, an additional seat and a plate at the Christmas Eve table is intended for ...

• an unexpected guest

• a family member that passed away

• a new friend

• a neighbor

Multiple Choice

The main decoration of the house at Christmas in many Ukrainian families is the _________ – a sheaf of wheat stalks, which symbolizes the spirit of our ancestors and is a symbol of prosperity, wealth, amulet of the family. It is believed that on these holy days our ancestors return to spend time with their families. Didukh is placed in the most honorable place in the house.

• kutia

• malanka

• didukh

• Christmas tree

Multiple Choice

Serving traditional Holy Supper ("Sviata Vecheria") Ukrainians put garlic (in some regions four garlic cloves) on the edge of the table corners. It is believed that garlic could protect your family and your house from ...

• bad neighbors

• poverty

• some evil spirits

Multiple Choice

The first and indispensable dish of Holy Supper is _____, a preparation of cooked wheat (sometimes rice) dressed with honey, ground poppy seed, raisins and sometimes chopped nuts.

• pampykhu

• kutia

• golubtsi

• uzvar

Multiple Choice

In many Ukrainian families there is a tradition ... during the day before Holy Supper.

• cook herring

• not to eat anything or observe fast

• bake paskas

• buy new clothes