Our own local village Christmas market

The first-ever Svätý Anton Christmas market is small but convivial, as you’d expect in a village of only 1100.

The mayor appears for brief words of welcome, and dressed in his traditional Slovak costume. The governor of the Banská Bystrica kraj (state) also attends (in a business suit) to give a few words of greeting. There are elections coming up in March.

Unlike the St Hubert Days market, where stalls fill a full half kilometer along the village’s main road on both sides and another couple hundred meters up the castle approach – here there are only a few stalls set up in the courtyard alongside the local volunteer fire department on the roadside. They sell fabrics and crafts, honey, beeswax candles and food.

The honey stall, run by friends of our neighbors, does a good business in medovina, the sweet Slovak honey wine – served hot with lemon slice. JoEllen is a little under the weather today so she has stayed home. But Scott brings her a little of this tasty “medicine”. (It does the trick.)

On one end of the courtyard a donkey waits to take part in the “Living Bethlehem” nativity tableau, and patiently allows children (and some adults) to pet and photograph.

The other major event of the day is the kapustnica cooking competition. This traditional sauerkraut soup served in most Slovak homes at Christmas is one of those dishes for which every family has its own recipe. The three or four competitors prepare theirs over open fires. The soup, in all of its iterations, is simply delicious. Most add sausages often homemade, many also add wild mushrooms plucked from the autumn forests.  Making homemade sauerkraut is also a national pasttime among the women.

We look forward to next year’s, especially Jo.

 

Comments

[Carol Lallak]

I'd like to try some of that sauerkraut soup! Maybe share a recipe with us sometime....
Merry Christmas you two!!

[Florence M Peterson]

After the sauerkraut you'd better keep the honey-wine handy. Sounds good. Hope you stay well. Last week I thought I had a flu and went to the doctor, who said "you've got an infection!" and sent me to the hospital where I recovered after 2 days. All better now. And I'm home. Thanks for your blogs, I love them. Love, Auntie Florence
Blessed Christmas and New Year.

[Claire]

Missing you, especially with X-mas. Enjoy the holidays. X

[Vicki]

It looks wonderful and I wish I were visiting you. Such an adventure. I like the lights and the natural splendor of those trees. How could you resist. Really.

[JoEllen Zumberge]

Here's wishing you all a wonderful and festive weekend! Vesele Vianoce! (Merry Christmas!) xxxxx Jo and Scott

[Zuzana Knezovičová]

Hello, I´m the teacher of English language at primary school in Svätý Anton. I would like to meet with you. Is it possible?

Thanks for your answer and happy new year. Zuzana Knezovičová

[JoEllen Zumberge]

Zuzana! Yes of course! Happy New Year! We will send you an email shortly.

Jo and Scott

[Zuzana Knezovičová]

Thank you. By the way - I live near your rented flat in Banská Štiavnica. I found our street on one of the photographs. And you took photo of our stall at Vianočné trhy. You have very nice blog with beautiful pictures. I hope we meet soon. Zuzana