The Wigilia Dinner
The house is festively decorated and includes a Christmas tree and a crèche. The dinner table itself is important as well, with a bit of straw placed on or underneath the table to symbolize the manger. Additionally, an extra place is set in case an unexpected guest arrives; a tradition connected with the belief that the unexpected guest could be Jesus in disguise.
The Wigilia dinner begins when the first star becomes visible. The host takes an oplatek(see inset photo) and breaks a piece off for himself. It is then passed around so that everyone has a piece. As it is passed, wishes of peace, happiness, and prosperity are exchanged. Then the feast begins!
The feast is strictly meatless and specific dishes are made to represent the Poles' interpretation of the five sources of food: grains from the fields, mushrooms from the forest, fruit from the orchard, vegetables from the garden, and fish from the lakes. Traditional Wigilia dishes include pierogi, barszcz or mushroom soup, beans and sauerkraut/cabbage, fish, either fried, pickled, broiled or marinated, potatoes, fruit compote, placek, babka, nuts, candy, and other sweets.
Once dinner is over the family gathers in the living room near the Christmas tree to visit and open gifts. As midnight nears, the entire family heads to church for pasterka, or Shepherd's Mass, which is what the Wigilia is really all about; keeping vigil, waiting and watching for the birth of Christ.
This Saturday and next, the Savor the Flavor cooking demonstration at the Broadway Market will honor the Wigilia tradition by featuring authentic Polish recipes. The shows will feature a number of dishes and techniques, with special guest Father Anzelm Chalupka, Pastor of Corpus Christi Church.
Dec 8 & 15th, 1PM
$11 Tickets
Broadway Market
839.5150 for Reservations
Drawing by local artist Alice Wadowski-Bak.
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BroadwayFillmoreAlive
This is a great event...
Amy Smardz from the Adam Mickiewicz Library will also be part of the presentation.
Wigilia is my favorite family gathering of the year...
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rdominguez
Mine too, BroadwayFillmoreAlive!
I have been hosting our family Wigilia for the past couple of years; since my mom is allergic to fish, I've got to get creative with our menu. I found that the cookbook "Just Like Babcia Used to Make" (available for purchase at the Broadway Market) has some great recipes for Wigilia (and beyond).
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tonyarmani
Wesołych Świąt i Szcześliwego Nowego Roku Everyone!
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Andrzej
The illustration you see above was done by local artist Alice Wadowski Bak. It's one of my favorite Christmas scenes. There is a very good guide to Wigilia written by Father Czeslaw Krysa entitled "A Polish Christmas Eve," Last I looked, it was available for sale at the card and gift shop at the Broadway Market, located to the left of where Savor the Flavor usually takes place. In your travels in libraries, book stores or online, if not at the B-Market, check out: Sophie Hodorowicz-Knab's "Polish Customs, Traditions & Folklore. Sophie lives in Grand Island. Fr. Krysa in Arcade.
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Jefferson
Nice post. But December 8 and 11?? do you mean Dec 8 and 15?
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ChristaSeychew
You're right, Jefferson, our mistake. Thanks for catching it!
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MikeLibra
Courtney,
Thanks for the nice article on a lovely event and a beautiful culture.
Andrzej,
Thanks for your information on the illustration.
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