Día de las velitas

On December 7 Colombians celebrate the Día de las velitas (Candle Day) also called Noche de las velitas (Night candles) or Alumbrado (Lighting). 

Noche de la Velitas

On the evening of December 7, on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, families meet and light candles in front of the house. Tradition says that they should be placed on the path leading to the house to illuminate the path of Mary. Colombians want Mary to enter their homes to be able to praise her. 

Some also make sure that the fire does not go out. The next day the candles are lit again. It seems that the Colombians really like fire, because on December 13 (Saint Lucia Day) they set two candles in the door of the house. They symbolize the eyes of Saint Lucia - a martyr from Syracuse, who was deprived of his vision for the defense of the Christian faith. 9 days before Christmas, the so-called Novenas. In each house a crib is set (already at the beginning of December) and it is around her that the Colombians gather to pray and sing Christmas carols. Children take an active part in it. 

At this time, a typical delicacy are: natillas (pudding based on corn, milk, raisins, cinnamon and panels) and boñuelos (donuts). After each novena children get presents and sweets. The most interesting is that people meet not only in their homes. Novenas are celebrated in the church, at the church, on squares and in shopping malls. 

On December 24, Colombians eat grilled meat and drink alcohol such as rum, whiskey, champagne and salsa. At midnight, they cuddle each other and wish for Merry Christmas. December 25 celebrations continued. As in Poland, the churches are filled with faithful people and joyfully celebrate the birth of the Savior. In the morning, they eat a vegetable salad with chicken, for dinner everyone gets a decent sancocho de gallina (chicken soup). 

On this day, it is not prepared on a gas stove. The patio is lit with fire, the wood is set, thanks to which the soup gains its taste (through the smoke) and has an excellent temperature. Then they can taste a turkey with plum sauce. The family sips again whiskey, rum (some beer) and they listen to music. In Colombia, Christmas is the time you spend with your family .. 

Día de las velitas-Dzień świeczek 

Noche de las velitas –Noc świeczek

 sancocho de Gallina-zupa na bazie kury 

natillas-budyń boñuelos-pączki

Zuzanna Łangowska 8H