Christmas, a season of celebrations, traditions, and customs, takes centre stage each year. Adapting to holiday celebrations becomes a challenge for those living away from their homes, especially when these festivities are integral to their cultures and households. Recently, during a lively lunch break at a predominantly Cypriot office, a conversation unfolded, shedding light on the unique Christmas celebrations in different corners of the world. The discussion honed in on the Basque Country and Cyprus, two regions with rich cultural histories that have left an indelible mark on their Christmas traditions.
The Basque Country boasts a distinct and vibrant Christmas period known as Basque ‘Gabonak,’ where ancient rituals seamlessly fuse with modern festivities. Among the striking characters of these celebrations is the Olentzero, akin to Santa Claus, a gift-giving coal burner married to Mari Domingi, a shepherd and farmer. These mythical figures are deeply rooted in ancient pagan celebrations, embodying the spirit of the winter solstice. On the eve of the 24th of December, families gather in ‘plazas’ or town squares as they descend from the mountains to deliver gifts and good cheer.
On the streets, residents participate in ‘Gabon Kanta,’ a Christmas Carol celebration where locals sing traditional carols, enveloping the region in a festive atmosphere. As with all festivities, food plays a central role in Basque Christmas celebrations, with specialities like bacalao a la vizcaína (Basque-style codfish) and talo con chistorra (corn wraps with spicy sausage) taking centre stage at family gatherings.
On the other side of the Mediterranean, the island nation of Cyprus boasts its own unique set of Christmas traditions, reflecting its rich history influenced by various civilisations. Despite being primarily Greek Orthodox, Christmas festivities often commence on Christmas Eve with the lighting of the Christmas tree, deviating from the traditional Orthodox date in January. Families come together for a traditional meal where “Christopsomo,” a special Christmas bread adorned with a cross and other symbolic decorations, takes centre stage.
In Cyprus, gifts are typically opened on New Year’s Day rather than Christmas Day, honouring Saint Vasilis, the Greek saint associated with Father Christmas. The firm ‘village’ culture is evident in many traditional Cypriot villages, where locals make a wish by creating a cross using an olive leaf and throwing it into the flaming fire. The olive leaves’ crackling noise and jumping in the fire indicate they are loved back.
The festive period also sees Kallikantzaroi, Greek Christmas goblins, come to the surface of the earth after they spend the rest of the year sawing the tree trunk that holds the Earth so that it will collapse, along with the Earth, yet when the final part of the trunk is about to be sawed, Christmas daws, thus saving the earth.
While both the Basque Country and Cyprus share the common thread of celebrating Christmas as a time of togetherness and joy, the unique cultural elements woven into their traditions create a stark contrast. In the Basque Country, the fusion of ancient pagan rituals with modern festivities adds a mythical and enchanting dimension to the celebration, evident in the presence of Olentzero and the spirited Gabon Kanta, showcasing the region’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity.
Conversely, Cyprus’ Christmas traditions reflect the island’s history as a melting pot of civilisations. Incorporating Christopsomo, the symbolic Kalikantzari, and other customs embody the multicultural essence of Cypriot celebrations. As our lunch break conversation delved into the depths of Christmas traditions in the Basque Country and Cyprus, it became clear that the festive season differs worldwide, even when celebrating the same holidays. At the same time, universal in its themes of joy and togetherness, it manifests uniquely in every corner of the globe. From Olentzero’s descent from the Pyrenees to the mischievous Kalikantzari causing holiday mischief, these diverse traditions remind us of the beauty and richness of global cultural heritage during the most beautiful time of the year.