Cambridge University Central European Society - CUCES

Date: 8-12pm, Saturday 29 November 2003
Venue: Bateman Room, Gonville and Caius College

The term is coming to its close, the season of Christmas parties has started. Central European Society would like to offer you something very special this year: a combination of three events, celebrated traditionally in Central Europe.

Like many other Christian festivals, the celebration of the eve of St. Andrew's Day (the night from 29 to 30/11) has its roots in old pagan rituals of magic and fortune-telling. It is widely celebrated in Poland as „ANDRZEJKI“. One of the traditional parts of it is the divination of future from the shape of melted wax poured over a key into cold water.

In Hungary the feast of St. Lucia is celebrated throughout the country on 13/12. One of the traditional customs is starting to make a chair, which should then be ready for Christmas Day. I am not sure how many skilled carpenters we have among our members, but we could at least give it a trial.

And finally, between both days is the famous St. Nicolas Day, 6/12, celebrated with giving presents to commemorate an ancient bishop famous for his generosity.

Incidentally, this year St. Andrew's night falls on a Saturday, with the following Sunday being the beginning of Advent. As Advent, very much like Lent, was traditionally regarded as a time for retreat and fasting before Christmas, the last evening before it was, like Carnival, a welcome excuse for parties.

So, all signs in heaven and on earth seem to suggest that we should have a big party on that day, a party not to be missed!!!