Slovakian Traditions

  Constantly gazing at the time remaining on the microwave, I always began to wonder if I had gone too far.  By now, the yellow marshmallow shape bunny in the microwave was becoming a bloated hippopotamus, and there was still 30 seconds to go.  Should I end the suspense or push my luck a little longer?  Unfortunately, my ritual of nuking Peeps would not happen this year because they are no where to be found (not even at my secret market which has all the American goods), however, Slovakia has there own interesting Easter traditions.

  Easter is a very important celebration in Slovakia, as well as many other parts of the world, called Velikonoce - from Veliké noci or Great Nights.  Just as I would while back home in the US, it began with attending church services, of course after I had eaten numerous sweets left by the Easter bunny.  And just like home, later in the afternoon, everyone would gather for large feast with family.  However, unlike home where we traditionally painted eggs the Saturday before and searched for them in the morning, the girls in Slovakia would decorate eggs (most common color is red) after dinner in preparation for the following Monday, while the boys head out to enjoy the rest of the evening.

  The following day, Easter Monday, a more controversial and odd tradition would ensue in which the boys throw water over girls and lightly whip them with braided branches. Throughout the day men (usually in groups) would visit their female relatives and friends singing Easter carols, and demand “treats” (eggs, chocolate, liquor, or a peck on the cheek).  The water, which could range teaspoon of warm tap water dribbled over you to a bucket of frigid well water thrown at you, was used as a symbol of life and a gesture meant to bestow year long health and beauty.  Then for good luck, they spank each girl with these special whips which were made from willow rods, with a length of 50 centimeters and ribbons at the end.  In some regions, the girls get their revenge on Tuesday when it’s their turn with the whips.  Fortunately, we were working Monday, and this did not occur.  The tradition, if it still exists, occurs in the smaller towns and villages, but it seems like Bratislava has moved past this tradition for the better.

  One other tradition which I really enjoy is bringing baked goods to the office on both your birthday, and names day.  In Slovakia, each day of the year corresponds to a personal name (the original list was the Roman Catholic calendar of saints). People celebrate their name days on the date corresponding to their own given names. Slovak culture has accorded similar importance to a person's name day to his or her birthday.  With over 400 people spread across two floors in our organization alone (1500 total), there are good odds that someone is celebrating a birthday or names day and has brought in some treats.  With a names day calendar in hand, I usually get good exercise each day walking between the floors in search of snacks.  For my birthday (Feb 17), I brought in oatmeal chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and brownies, all which were a big hit with the teams.  It was a challenge to make because there are three different types of flour and brown sugar available!  My names day, Villiam (with a V in Slovakia), will be May 28, which I think I will make guacamole with chips (and cookies of course).

Names Day Calendar  - With Juraj and Marek celebrating names day this week, there should be a good amount of snacks available.