How are the Christmas holidays celebrated in Montenegro? Christmas is celebrated twice

In Orthodox Montenegro, Christmas is not celebrated until the beginning of January, just like in other Balkan states.

What is badnjak?

What are the typical dishes that must not be missing from the Christmas table?

Do Montenegro children get gifts or not?

In the following lines, we will tell you everything about how Christmas is celebrated in Montenegro.

When is Christmas celebrated in Montenegro?

Montenegrins are a very religious people. One of the main religious holidays in the country is Christmas, in Montenegro it is called Božić. It is celebrated on January 6 and 7, as the predominant Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar.

Christmas in Montenegro has many features in common with Christmas holidays in neighboring Serbia. The Advent season also begins on November 28 and lasts for six weeks. Christmas Day, which falls on January 6, is called Badnji dan.

Do you know Montenegrin Christmas traditions?

On Christmas morning, the head of the family traditionally went to the forest for oak branches or logs called badnjaks. Badnjak originally refers to a tree brought by shepherds, which Joseph lit to warm the cave where Jesus was born. It also symbolizes the tree from which the cross on which Christ was crucified was made.

The period branches are left in front of the house door for the whole day, and women are not allowed to touch them. They are brought into the house in the evening by one of the male household members, and numerous rituals, such as the sprinkling of rice or wheat on the head, accompany this act. The branch is supposed to burn throughout the evening and night, symbolizing the light and warmth that unites family members. Nowadays, the badnjak is often replaced by a bunch of oak branches, which are decorated in various ways.

According to tradition, the first person to enter the house on Christmas Eve must be a man, or “polaznik”. After entering the house, he should light a twig of badnjak in the fireplace to get as many sparks as possible, symboling luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Who brings the children’s presents?

Initially, the Christmas holidays in Montenegro were without an allotment. Under the influence of neighboring countries, Montenegrin children are not deprived of gifts today. As in most other Orthodox countries, Santa Claus brings them to them on January 6.

What is the festive dinner in Montenegro?

Devout Montenegrins observe a forty-day fast before Christmas, but some only fast on Christmas Day. After lighting the badnjak, families sit down to a meatless Christmas Eve meal that usually includes beans, fish, and potatoes.

Priganice, small balls of fried dough flavored with lemon zest and sweetened with honey, are often served as a dessert.

On Christmas Eve, or January 7, a festive lunch begins with a traditional Montenegrin appetizer, which is pršut from Njeguši, a village famous for its prosciutto production. There are also olives, pickles, a typical salad, a mixture of peas, carrots, potatoes, ham, eggs, mayonnaise, and sour cream.

Afterward, roasted pig or roast pork with cabbage and prebranec, a baked dish made from stewed beans, is served. Traditional sweets such as baklava and strudel are served, accompanied by thick Turkish coffee.

An essential rite of Christmas dining is cutting a special bread called pogača, made from simple ingredients such as water, fat, and flour without yeast. Before consumption, it is divided into as many parts as there are family members. A coin is placed inside while baking to symbolize a gift to Santa, and it is believed that whoever finds the coin in their piece can expect prosperity and wealth in the coming year.

How to prepare prebranec?

Prebranec is one of the classic Montenegrin Christmas dishes. It consists of caramelized onions and white beans in a sauce flavored with bay leaves and sweet paprika. Farmers originally prepared it during long winters.

Ingredients:

• 18 oz of white beans
• 5 medium-sized yellow onions, cut into thin strips
• 1/3 cup sunflower oil
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 bay leaves
• a pinch of salt and pepper

Method:

1. Soak the beans in plenty of water overnight.
2. Then drain them and put them in a pot of water.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until very tender, about an hour and a half.
4. Drain the beans and keep the cooking water.
5. Preheat the oven to 356°F.
6. Combine the oil and onion in a large saucepan or roasting pan and cook over low heat until the onion is completely soft.
7. You may need to add a little water occasionally to keep the onions from drying out.
8. Add the beans, crushed garlic, paprika, and bay leaves when the onions are done.
9. Season with salt and pepper, and add about three cups of the water from the beans. Stir gently.
10. The beans should be covered with water but not completely floating.
11. Place in the oven and bake for about an hour to an hour and a half, adding more water if necessary.

After roasting, the top layer of beans should be lightly caramelized and fairly dry; most of the moisture has evaporated. In contrast, the beans inside should be beautifully creamy and coated with onions.

Allow the prebranec to cool completely before serving. Let it rest in the refrigerator for a day, then serve at room temperature with crusty bread.

What places to visit in Montenegro at Christmas?

Montenegro offers beautiful natural features, such as the sea or mountains, as well as historical monuments. In addition, during the Christmas holidays, some interesting programs complement the attractions. Christmas in Montenegro will surprise you.

• Budva—probably the best-known Montenegrin resort—offers beautiful beaches and the picturesque historic center of Stari Grad. The center is beautifully decorated during the holidays, and traditional Christmas markets are in its corners.

• Podgorica – the ancient capital combines past and present. During Advent, it hosts many markets and other exciting events.

• Tivat—Throughout December, this town, located by the famous Boka Kotorska Bay, hosts a large-scale Winter Fairytale event. Numerous Christmas markets, theater performances, concerts, and children’s programs are held throughout the city.