19 minute read
Czech Culture
from Vestnik 2020.11.23
by SPJST
Lodge 48, Beyersville Youth Club members are back at it and socially distancing while walking dogs at the shelter. After a quick outdoor meet-
Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas
Česká Část
ROČNÍK 108 ČISLO 22
Podpora ★ Lidskost
23.listopad.2020 Bratrstvi´
BENEVOLENCE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD
Uředni orgán SPJST ★ Založené roku 1897
Zpráva ze schůze řádu Jaromír SPJST č. 54 ve Westu, Tx.
Jan Vaculík česky píšící dopisovatel
Neočekávaná schůze řádu Jaromír SPJST číslo 54 ve Westu ve státu Texasu se konala podle pravidla a to první pátek v měsíci listopadu a bylo to 6. listopadu 2020 v síni svatého Josefa při osadě na Nebevstoupení svaté Panny Marie ve Westu, Tx. za pěkného počasí. Tato schůze byla neočekávaná, protože kolem nás stále ještě řádí epidemie a tak nebylo jisté, zda se sejdeme. Nakonec se schůze konala bez členstva a jenom úřadníci řádu byli přítomni a seděli v určitých vzdálenostech od sebe, jak je nařízeno státními úřady. Poslední naše společná schůze se konala v březnu 2020 a nyní se podle posledních zpráv objevila druhá vlna epidemie a vypadá stejně nebezpečně jako vlna, která přišla na jaře. Stojí za povšimnutí, že ohniska nákazy se objeví většinou po nějaké události anebo podniku, kde se sejde mnoho lidí a nedodržují pečlivě lékařské doporučení o rouškách, patřičných vzdálenostech osob a v případě nákazy musí osoba zůstat doma, aby nerozšiřovala nákazu na veřejnosti.
President našeho řádu Freddie Kaluža zahájil schůzi, vzdali jsme poctu americké vlajce a republice, pro kterou stojí, uctili jsme památku zemřelých členek a obětí epidemie. Naše tajemnice Janice Kaluža přečetla jména úřadníků a všichni byli přítomni a přítomné. Tento způsob účasti byl zvolen kvůli epidemii, protože bylo nutno zahájit nové funkční období úředníků a provést volby, jak se i později stalo. Zápis z minulé březnové schůze byl přečten a schválen tak, jak byl čten.
Naše koordinátorka bratrských akcí Linda Kaluža má nyní v době epidemie omezenou činnost, ale poukázala na bohatou možnost našich členů se zúčastnit všemožných akcí, které pořádá naše jed-
ing, youth members then shopped locally for a refreshing drink as a treat! —Michelle Newsom, Youth Leader
nota. Naše finanční tajemnice Mary Lou Mynář přednesla pěknou finanční zprávu a v době epidemie nebyly žádné příjmy a vydání. Česky píšící dopisovatel Jan Vaculík uvedl, že se šíří druhá vlna epidemie a v souvislosti s chřipkou může ohrozit zdraví a životy dalších občanů. Přísnější dodržování lékařských rad by mělo být samozřejmostí pro každého bližního.
Poměrně jednoduše jsme vyřídili přijetí nových členů a s lítostí jsme museli odložit vánoční besídku na příští rok, protože v tomto roce není možné uspořádat žádnou větší slavnost. Přesto jsme schválili tradiční podpory a stipendia pro mládež a studenty, kteří by jinak vystoupili pro naši zábavu na besídce. Tajemnice Janice Kaluža přečetla děkovné dopisy od příjemců naší podpory.
Pak byly provedeny volby úředníků a jednomyslně byli znovuzvoleni úřadníci a úřednice do dalšího funkčního období. Epidemie způsobila mimořádné okolnosti naší práce a tak se budeme snažit a pracovat k tomu, abychom mohli úspěšně pokračovat v naší činnosti. President našeho řádu ve Westu, Tx. Freddie Kaluža pak schůzi ukončil a měli jsme velmi bohatou večeři.
Příští schůzi, pokud to epidemie dovolí, by se měla konat první pátek v březnu roku 2021. Těšíme se na hojnou účast členstva. —SPJST—
TCGS presents fourth group of 2020 Christmas ornaments
This week’s article contains the entire line of Christmas ornaments for 2020 that is available from Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS). The response to this year’s offering has been amazing, and we hope that those who have not yet placed orders will do so as soon as possible. As always, orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Unfortunately, some of the items are beginning to be in very short supply. Shipments will not be possible after December 11.
To place an order, please contact Nancy Machu at 512-971-4284 (leave a message for a return call) or email to nbmachu@gmail.com. Shipping charges will be calculated based on the number of ornaments ordered, and the shipping location. Questions and comments are always welcome. Ornaments as well as our other Czech-related gifts, may be viewed by appointment which may be scheduled at the same email address or phone number shown above.
The Legend of the Apple - No. C19-25 $11
The apple played an important role in the traditional European Christmas Eve celebrations. After dinner,
the father (or head of the family) sliced an apple crosswise. If the slice revealed the image of a perfect star, and the seeds were plump, it was believed that a peaceful new year of good fortune and health was instore for the family. Each member of the family then ate a bite of the apple. This shimmering red apple ornament, with brilliant glazes and accents of glitter, crafted of glass in the Czech Republic, will be a keepsake for years to come.
Legend of the Nutcracker Red - No. C19-15 / Green - No. C19-16 $17.50 each
Nutcracker figurines originated in the Erzgebirge area of Germany as early as the 1700s. The first nutcrackers were made of wood due to the ample supply of wood in the region. They were traditionally dressed as soldiers and kings. Villagers took satisfaction in having these authoritative figures perform the menial task of cracking nuts and some may still crack nuts, but the real joy is their colorful presence decorating the home. One wonders why the nutcrackers are never seen with smiles on their faces. The people making them in the early years conveyed their everyday hardships into the dolls that they created. Their lives were hard, the working conditions bad, and they did not get paid very well. The book, The Legend of the Nutcracker and Traditions of the Erzgebirge, speaks of an old German folktale describing how the nutcracker came into being. It tells about a farmer who offered a reward to anyone who could help him crack the walnuts that grew on his tree. A carpenter told him to saw the nut in half while a soldier told him to shoot the nut. Finally, a puppet maker came along with a beautiful puppet made of wood and painted in bright colors, which had strong jaws that could be used to crack the walnuts. This method worked, and the farmer rewarded him by giving him his own workshop. The dolls have been made for the past 250 years in Germany, and it is believed that nutcrackers bring good luck and protect the house and its inhabitants. The red and green nutcrackers in our collection were mouth blown in the Czech Republic. Each one is individually hand painted and will be a valued possession and collectible.
The Tradition of the Pickle - No. SL-10 - $7
There are several versions of this tradition, each attributing the legend to different countries. According to German tradition, as the Christmas tree was decorated, a pickle was hidden in the innermost branches of the tree. On Christmas morning, the first child to find the pickle was rewarded with an additional small present left by St. Nicholas. This tradition is observed by many families today, and as the children grow, the family purchases smaller and smaller pickles to make them more difficult to find. The pickle tradition encourages people to take time to enjoy the moment with family and friends and, while searching for the pickle, to enjoy the beauty of the tree and its many ornaments along with the beauty of the season, rather than focusing immediately on the gifts under the tree.
Symbol of the Fish - No. SL-16 - $9
Jesus was a shepherd of souls and a fisher of men. He fed the crowd of 5,000 with two fish and five loaves. He called his disciples “fishers of men.” Accordingly, people use a fish as the ultimate symbol to dis-
The Legend of the Icicle No. C19-1 (red) $8 each (short supply) The Guardian Angel No. OR-203 - $22 The Christmas Tree No. OR-201 - $18 The Symbols of Candles and Holly No. OR-205 - $22
The Symbol of the Pewter Nail No. OR-211 - $12
Noah’s Ark No. OR-207 - $11 Christmas Doll No. C19-17 - $21
The Symbol of the Christmas Wreath No. OR-204 - $15 The Symbol of the Hummingbird No. OR-208 - $16
The Symbol of the Gold Crown No. OR-206 - $9
The Legend of the Starfish No. OR-202 - $11 The Three Wise Men No. C19-789 - $52 (short supply) The Czech Greeting and Traditions Ornament No. OR-210 - $11
The Legend of Santa Claus No. OR-209 - $16 Symbol of the Four-Leaf Clover No. TSL-46 $7 each (short supply) Black Car No. C19-4 $17.50 (short supply)
Czech Ornament with Red Flower No. CO-15110 - $10 Czech Ornament with Gold Design #15071 - $10
Locomotive No. C19-5 - $15.50
tinguish themselves as Christians. Fish represent fertility and renewal of life. Just as fish are born in water, Christians are born in the water of baptism through Jesus Christ, who invites us all to become “fishers of men.” The letters of the Greek word for fish, “Ichthus,” are the first letters of the Greek phrase for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” —SPJST—
CESAT offers Czech Christmas carol lessons Nov. 28
CESAT (Czech Ex-Students Association of Texas) is pleased to announce that on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at 9 a.m., Schulenburg Public Library will offer online free Czech Christmas carol lessons. From the comfort of their home, individuals will be able to learn the words for four Czech Christmas carols and will be able to learn the tunes to the carols.
To receive an invitation to the online meeting, please email your request to: schulenburgpubliclibrary@yahoo.com. Thadious Polasek Lodge 67, Schulenburg —SPJST—
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Czech Center Museum Houston (CCMH) is pleased to announce that its annual holiday market will be Saturday, December 5 and Saturday, December 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Market in Houston will have beautiful items from the Czech Republic for sale to help you find that perfect gift. A country store selling homemade Czech favorites, such as strudels, poppy seed rolls, canned pickles, and hot mulled wine will also be available.
As in previous years, certain Czech traditions will be observed. One particular tradition that has been followed since CCMH began hosting the Market involves St. Nicholas, an angel, and a devil. In the Czech Republic, this celebration usually occurs on December 5, the day before St. Nicholas Day. The costumed trio asks children about their behavior throughout the year and rewards good children with treats.
Fun and Festivities
Tickets for the Holiday Market are free of charge for December 5 and December 19. For the safety of our guests, it is required to register before your visit. Current COVID-19 precautions will be observed.
For complete details about the event, visit czech-center.org; call 713-528-206; or email development@czechcenter.org. —SPJST—
TCHCC plans Dec. 5 annual gala
Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) will hold its annual gala on Saturday, December 5, 2020. The gala will be at Pavilion Hall at TCHCC, 250 West Fairgrounds Road, La Grange. Honorees for 2020 will be Larry Sodek, polka disc jockey; Ellinger Combo; and Harold Strand Orchestra. Event includes dinner with appetizers and desserts, open bar, door prizes, honorees’ program, silent auction, prize drawing, and music and dancing to the Czechaholics. Advance tickets only.
For tickets and other information, call 888-785-4500, email info@czechtexas.org, or visit www.czechtexas.org, or the TCHCC Facebook page. —SPJST—
Czech Center Museum Houston is pleased to announce that its holiday fundraising concert is Friday, December 18, 2020, from 7 to 10 p.m. This blacktie event will showcase a live performance by five talented musicians playing traditional Czech and American holiday songs.
The Museum will serve drinks and fine hors d’oeuvres before the concert. The holiday drawing begins after the performance along with dessert. Drawing tickets are on sale for $50 each, and prizes include a Danube River Cruise Tour, Cedar Rapids trip, and a $500 Amazon gift card. The online auction closes at 6 p.m. on December 19.
Seating is limited to 100 guests so be sure to reserve tickets. Ticket prices are $200 per person, and valet parking is provided. Current COVID-19 precautions will be observed.
For complete details about the event, online prize drawing, and auction, please visit czechcenter.org; call 713-528-2060; or email development@czechcenter.org. —SPJST—
TCGS: Christmas Giving Book of the Month
Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) offers its newest publication, Czechoslovaku Pamatnik as its November and December Book of the Month.
This book, written by Czech citizens in the Old Country during World War I, was written to express gratitude to the Czechs in America who answered their call for aid during this war to assist them at a critical time when their homes, livelihoods and very existence had been decimated by the war. The book was translated to English and published by TCGS in 2019 in an effort to show Americans today the rigors of war and to instill pride in Czech Americans because of the way we helped our cousins in the homeland in their time of need. The book is loaded with much information about the beginnings of this noble effort and also includes surnames and many photos, many of which have identified people in them.
Because many people are reluctant to shop at stores during the Covid Pandemic, this book would make a terrific and easy-to-obtain Christmas gift for those you love.
To order the book, please send a check for $48 along with your shipping address to Nancy Machu, 3337 Bianco Terrace, Round Rock, Texas 78665. Shipping charges are waived during November and December.
To charge your order, call 512-9714284, leaving a message for a call-back. Submitted by, Nancy Machu Lodge 29, Taylor —SPJST—
Czech Christmas Traditions
Czech Christmas Tree Decorations
The Christmas tree represents a symbolic ladder to the heavens. As a result of this, ornaments are hung on the tree depending on what their symbolic position is in life. As an example, vegetables and fruits are closest to the earth. Therefore, they are hung on the lower third of the Christmas tree. Houses, churches, people, and animals should be placed in the middle region of the tree. Birds, angels, moons and stars should hang from the middle of the tree to the top to symbolize their closeness to the heavens.
Angel: Represents the angel who appeared before Mary, asking her to be the mother of Jesus
Popcorn: Signifies the rope Joseph held as he led the donkey to Bethlehem
Walnuts: Are for the gifts from the three wise men
Oranges: A special fruit only available during the Christmas season
Wheat: A symbol of life, prosperity and nourishment
Cloth as the base of the tree: Represents Jesus’ swaddling clothes
Apples: Remind us of Adam and Eve
White dove: Placed near the top of the tree to evoke peace
Carrot: Often given to a new wife to bring good luck in the kitchen
Pine cones and evergreen trees: Symbols of eternal life
Corn: Symbolizes prosperity, fertility
Pickle - hidden on the Christmas tree: Whoever finds it first on Christmas morning, gets an extra gift left by St. Nicholas (Svaty Mikulas).
Houses and Churches: Symbols of village life
Farm Animals: Traditional symbols of everyday village life
Birds: Symbols of joy and cheerfulness
Swan: Symbol of gracefulness
Pineapple: Symbol of friendship and hospitality
Owl: Symbol of wisdom
Musical Instruments: Symbolizes the joy that music and singing brings during the Holiday season
Stars, Moons, and Angels: Symbolizes the closest you can get to Heaven
During the Dark Ages, natives of remote northern Bohemia - present day Czech Republic - originated an art form in glassblowing which not only holds a unique place in the 4,000-year history of this ancient art, but has become a cherished part of Christian tradition. The Bohemians had learned this skill (a heritage of Egypt) from wandering Venetian tradesmen. They used it to create glass ornaments for adornment of the fir tree in their Yule celebration of the winter sun solstice. Early Christians adapted this custom of decorating the evergreen to their celebration of the birth of Christ; thus the Christmas three was born. Down through the centuries, the glass blowers of Bohemia became famous throughout the world for their blown glass Christmas ornaments. The root of early glass blowers remained in Bohemia, where beautiful ornaments are still produced, using forms over 1,000-years old. Christmas Dinner Customs
Czech Christmas dinner - December 24 - is connected with a great number of different customs, rules and superstitions. Very few of them are still observed today, and for good reason. It must have been quite a challenge to put the dinner together and go through with it without a mistake if all the customs were to be followed! Here are some of them:
❖ No lights should be lit in the house before the first star comes out. After it does, dinner is served. ❖ The table should be set for an even number of guests. An odd number brings bad luck or death. ❖ An extra plate can be used to even out the number of guests. An extra plate should also be prepared in case an unexpected guest or a person in need comes by the house at dinner time. ❖ The legs of the table can be tied with a rope to protect the house from thieves and burglars in the coming year. ❖ No one should sit with their back to the door. ❖ Christmas dinner consists of nine courses including soup, bread with honey, carp, potato salad, fruit - dried, fresh or canned, dessert - apple strudel or vánočka - Christmas bread, and other foods. ❖ No alcohol should be served on Christmas Eve. ❖ No one should ever get up from the Christmas table before dinner is finished. Doing so brings bad uck and death in the family. ❖ Everyone should finish their dinner and leave nothing on the plate. ❖ The first person to leave the table after dinner will be the first one to die in the coming year - that is why everyone should get up from the table at the same time. ❖ Any leftovers from dinner (crumbs, fishbones, etc.) should be buried around the trees to ensure they will bear lots of fruit. ❖ All household animals should be fed after dinner so that no one goes hungry on Christmas Eve.
Magical Powers of Foods and Plants
Certain plants, spices and foods are said to have special qualities and have been an important part of Czech Christmas celebrations throughout history:
Garlic
An essential part of Christmas that should not be missing at any Christmas dinner. It is believed to provide strength and protection. A bowl of garlic can be placed under the dinner table.
Honey
Honey is believed to guard against evil. A pot of honey can be placed on the dinner table. Mushrooms
Mushrooms give health and strength. A traditional meal called kuba, prepared from dried mushrooms, barley, garlic, onions, and spices, used to be served as the main meal in the past. Mushroom soup can be served before dinner.
Sheaf of Grain A bundle of grain dipped in holy water can be used to sprinkle the house to prevent it from burning down in the next year.
Poppyseed, Peas, Wheat, Barley If given to the hens on Christmas Eve, lots of eggs will be laid in the coming year.
Vánočka - Christmas bread Feeding a piece of vánočka to the cows on Christmas Eve will ensure that there will be lots of milk all year. Putting a few vánočka crumbs in front of the bee hive will make sure that the bees will produce enough honey next year. Throwing a piece of vánočka into the well will ensure good quality of the water.
Apple If the goats are given apples on Christmas Eve, their milk will be sweet.
Foretelling the Future
The foretelling of the future and predicting the well-being of the family in the coming year is connected with many popular Christmas customs some of which are still practiced today.
Floating of Walnut Shells
Little boats are made out of empty walnut shells and each family member places a little burning candle into a shell. Everyone's shells are then floated on a bowl of water. If the shell makes it across the bowl, its owner will live a long and healthy life. A shell that sinks brings bad luck to its owner.
Cutting of the Apple
After Christmas dinner, every person present at the table cuts an apple in half (crosswise, from the stem down). Both halves are shown to everyone around the table. If the core is shaped as a star, it means that everyone will get together next year in happiness and health. A fourpointed cross is a bad omen and means that someone at the table will fall ill or die within a year. The Pouring of Lead
A piece of lead is melted over fire and then poured into a container of water. The resulting shape will tell the pourer's destiny.
Foretelling Marriage
There are lots of Christmas customs that help young girls in the family find out if they will get married in the year to come.
Cherry Tree Twigs - Barborky
On December 4, St. Barbora's Day, an unmarried girl is supposed to cut a twig off of a cherry tree and put it in water. If the twig blooms by Christmas Eve, the girl will marry within a year.
The Throwing of the Shoe
An unmarried girl is supposed to throw a shoe over her shoulder and towards the door. If the shoe lands with the toe pointing towards the door, the girl will marry within a year.
The Shaking of the Elder Tree
An unmarried girl is supposed to shake an elder tree and if a dog barks, she will marry a man who lives in the direction from which the dog bark came.
Money and Wealth
Although Czech Christmas has traditionally been focused on spirituality and family rather than on material possessions, there are a few customs relating to money and wealth.
Fish Scales
Fish scales should be placed under Christmas dinner plates or under the tablecloth to bring wealth to the house. Carrying a fish scale in a wallet all year will ensure that money will not run out.
Other Christmas Customs and Superstitions ❖ He who fasts all day until dinner will see the golden piglet on the wall. ❖ After Christmas dinner, no field is to be crossed until the midnight mass. He who does so will die within a year. ❖ He who fails to give a present on Christmas Eve will be met with poverty. ❖ A pregnant woman will know whether she is carrying a boy or a girl once the first Christmas Eve. ❖ Visitor enters the house. If the visitor is male, she will have a son.
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/christmas_superstitions.html#other
