The importance of traditions can’t be overestimated. They unite people, who belong to one of the nationalities, family or team. Every single person can feel as a part of something big and important, create close relations with surroundings, increase trust and a sense of belonging to something special and unique. Students of different universities shared their traditions of celebrating two of coziest family holidays – Christmas and New Year.
Liza Krapivnaya, a 2nd year student of the specialty «Information and communication», BSU :
We are going to grandma’s for Christmas. First, we eat kutya (boiled rice soaked in compote), and then non-fasting dishes. We just talk, listen to family stories, sing songs, remember all sorts of things. We have one unusual tradition for Christmas: to run out into the street and ask the name of the first man we meet. Your spouse will have the same one.
Masha Pilipovich, a 2nd year student of Belarusian State Medical University:
My family always celebrates the New Year together. We prepare very carefully, look forward to, communicate with pleasure and have fun. Towards evening we dress up (we even dress our dogs), set the festive table, exchange gifts. My sisters and I have a little ritual: while the chime of bells peel the tangerine and make a wish while you eat it.
Alina Kozlovskaya, a 1st year student of Gdansk Medical University:
On New Year’s Eve, everyone gathers in the house where we will celebrate (either at our house or at our grandmother’s). We prepare food (there are also Ukrainian traditional snacks on the table), decorate the house and the table in accordance with favorable colors for this year. We use the same principle to select food and colors of our clothes. When all the cooking and cleaning is complete, we dress up. At the table, we talk on the phone with numerous relatives, congratulate them. We eat, watch «Голубой огонек», discuss plans for the next year. After 12 o’clock father opens a bottle of champagne. Everyone rejoices, hugs, wishes each other a Happy New Year. Then we give each other gifts: you have to guess from whom and what is in the box. Moreover parents go to neighbors with food (later they bring food from them), and I go out for a couple of minutes to meet with a friend and exchange gifts.
