Winter ceremonial customs

What happened between St. Catherine’s Day and Epiphany? Enter the mysterious world of spells, magic, and customs of our ancestors.

You will learn how our ancestors spent their days in late autumn and winter, how they prepared for Christmas, what the Strigy Days were, why feathers were plucked and flax and hemp were spun, what foods were eaten, and what the Christmas atmosphere was like in the past.

What were the days of Stridžie and what measures did our ancestors take at this time? 🧙‍♀️🌙
Which days were considered magical days suitable for love magic? 💕 👩‍🦰🔮
What customs were practiced on St. Lucy’s Day and why was St. Lucy’s chair made?
Why did not only children but also single girls look forward to St. Nicholas Day?
When did the devil join St. Nicholas? 😈
How did our ancestors celebrate Christmas in the countryside and in the city?
Why did Christmas Eve dinner sometimes consist of 12 dishes, and what were they? 🍽
Where did the tradition of Christmas trees and decorations originate? 🎄
Since when have we been giving gifts at Christmas? 🎁🎅

You will find answers to these and other questions in a lecture by historian and ethnologist Katarína Nádaská.

Mgr. Katarína Nádaská, PhD.

is an acclaimed ethnologist and historian specializing in religious ethnology, ethnomedicine, magic and demonology, Central European contexts of folk culture, and visual anthropology. She studied ethnology and history at the Faculty of Philosophy of Comenius University in Bratislava. She has worked not only at her alma mater, but also at other universities. She has completed several research internships at European universities, worked as a curator and literary historian at the Bratislava City Museum, and as a research fellow at the Theater Institute in Bratislava. She currently works as a researcher in local government, provides historical consulting for the mass media and film industry, and lectures at several universities in Slovakia and abroad. She is the author of several monographs, scientific studies, and popular articles, as well as the co-author of ethnological documentary films.

Location: National Education Center / V-club, SNP Square, Bratislava, Slovakia
Date: Thursday, 04.12.2025
Start: from 19:00
Entrance: 10 – 12 €

Discover with us other great events and tips for EVENTS BRATISLAVA.