Students of St. Petersburg Mining University, studying in Austria, Germany, and Finland on double and triple degree programs, talked about how Europeans prepare for one of the most important holidays of the year. Are the streets in small and large cities of the European Union decorated? Where have the traditional fairs and festivals been cancelled? How badly has another spike in disease affected the mood of the locals? And, finally, what dishes will be on their tables on Christmas Eve?
As it turned out, the situation in different countries and even regions is markedly different, it all depends on the position of the authorities. For example, Vienna, according to Anastasia Khodyreva, who now studies at the Leoben University of Mining, “is decorated grandly, and you can feel the festive atmosphere there almost at every step.” That is why, together with other young people from Russia, who came to Austria for European higher education diplomas, she will celebrate the holiday in the capital.
“Leoben itself is also decorated. On the whole, it’s not flashy, but it’s very cozy. Garlands on the houses and Christmas wreaths on the doors create a festive atmosphere. On the central square, there is a Christmas tree and a fair. Sanitary and epidemiological restrictions are strictly enforced. Entry only after presenting a certificate of vaccination. In addition, the number of people who can stay inside the fair is limited,” says Anastasia.
Pictured: Leoben in 2019 (top photo) and 2021 (bottom photo)
She has not yet heard any concerns about the new strain of coronavirus from the locals. She assures that “the mood of Austrians is friendly and cheerful.” It is largely because of the pleasant Christmas worries, which make you forget about both the fatigue of lockdowns and the negative news background.
In Germany, everything is more strict. Christmas is one of the favourite holidays there, so Germans always prepare for it with enthusiasm, observing all the traditions. This year is no exception, nevertheless the COVID situation, as another student of the St. Petersburg Mining University, Sofia Mazepa, who studies at the Freiberg Mining Academy, told us, certainly “clouds the picture a bit”.
“In Freiberg, only the center, the old town, is decorated. On the main square, they installed a Christmas tree and a kind of merry-go-round with wooden soldiers. Many small shops were also brought there, where they were supposed to sell all sorts of goodies and hot drinks. But unfortunately, due to the increase in the sickness rate in Saxony, the local authorities had to cancel both the planned mulled wine festival and the fair. It wasn’t exactly under the ban, though; the vendors sort of “spread out” all over the old town. Walking along the main street, you will for sure come across shops with gingerbread, chocolate-covered fruit, or the traditional German Stoll cake,” said Sofia.
She also noted that due to an increase in illness, the rector of the Freiberg Mining Academy extended vacation time, so from December 20 to January 10 there will be no classes at the university. But the students have no intention of fooling around. They are going to study all the material they missed during the three weeks, and stock up at the university library on the literature required for their coursework.
In Finnish Lappeenranta, at least five Christmas trees are installed. And, for some reason, the biggest one is at a traffic junction. The city is not very richly decorated, but the Christmas atmosphere is still felt. First of all, due to private houses decorated with garlands.
“There are small Christmas tree bazaars and a small fair, which I never managed to get to because it closes very early. In general, Christmas in Finland, like in the rest of Europe, is a family and quiet holiday. On the other hand, Finns celebrate the New Year more noisily, the locals also love it, but the priority for them, of course, is to get together as a family on Christmas Eve,” said Yegor Medvedev, who is completing his studies at LUT and will soon return to St. Petersburg.
He specified that there have been no severe lockdowns in Lappeenranta since he arrived there. And the most significant difference from the Russian reality today is that almost all residents, despite the very high level of vaccination, wear masks in public places. They wear them according to all the rules so that both mouth and nose are covered.
“The mood of the locals is festive, they’re getting ready for Christmas, just like they always do. There are, of course, concerns about Omicron, so they have resumed the advisory measure: wearing masks. At the same time, no one demands that you have to wear one,” explained Anush Navoyan, who also studies at LUT University.
The student Christmas parties in Europe are over, and local young people have gone home to celebrate the holiday with their families. So Russians, if they also decide to celebrate it, will only be able to do so in the company of their compatriots or other foreigners. And what is on the table at Christmas Eve at the Finns, Germans, and Austrians? What are the traditions of their national cuisine?
“Usually on Christmas Day in Finland, they cook a pork ham and then slice it into thin slices. During the last week, you could even taste it in the local canteens. Rice porridge is also a must-try dish. It is among other things handed out to everyone in the Christmas plates near the church,” says Anush Navoyan.
His colleague Egor Medvedev adds that in addition to ham, Finns also make salmon with low salt, and some bake Christmas rye bread or ginger cookies. Garnishes and snacks are usually vegetable casseroles, and the most popular drink is glöggi (something like mulled wine).
Every region of Austria serves a different meal. In Styria, where Leoben is located, roasted goose or roasted carp are served for Christmas. But the culinary preferences of Germans do not even depend on where they live but on the customs of each particular family. For example, the landlady of the apartment rented by Russian students in Freiberg every year bakes a rabbit.
