Discover the magic of Fašiang!

Post date: Mar 06, 2011 10:27:0 AM

Yesterday I had the first direct contact with the rich tradition of Slovakia in a small village called Lovčica-Trubín, which is near Žiar nad Hronom, and I feel very lucky for that! It was an exciting, special day, definitely a memorable one! Please allow me introduce you to Fašiang, thanks to my mentor, who wrote a few words about it. Enjoy learning about Slovakia’s customs and tradition ;) As you already know, Slovakia is a catholic country. The most of its inhabitants are Catholic. They are not ortodox but they are strict. They use to keep their customs like at Christmas and Easter. From January till the beginning of March it is a season of carnivals. Slovaks call it Fašiang. So, what does it means and what does it includes? The last Saturday before beginning of Lent, people use to prepare party at the village. In the morning men kill a pig and they make pork specilities till the evening. Young people (from 12 to 30 years old) go from one door to another and they singing and dancing. Of course they use to wear typical costumes from each region. People from the houses offer to them sweets (šišky) and plum or pear brandy. All inhabitant’s presents like eggs, oil, sweets, sausages, bacon are placed in a trolley. Young people pull this trolley through the village at a building where other people were preparing party. There, they cook goulash from the boar and pork specialities (sausages, barbeceu meat). About 4 pm, when young people finish their ceremony and people finish preparing sausages and goulash, the party starts. The music group plays only folk music and people are dancing till the morning. Next Wednesday Slovaks are going to start Lent. They don’t eat meat and they don’t have parties till Easter.