Croatia Underrated
Uplifting stories and hidden gems of Croatia with Iva Silla. If you'd like to get a taste of Croatian cultural and natural diversity, there is a chance you might enjoy this podcast. Let's share the fascination with the underrated side of Croatia! Short episodes talk about little-known places and stories of Croatia, about hidden gems that sometimes even the locals don’t know much about... There is a share of Croatian legends and dark history, unique folk customs, historical anecdotes, and curious personalities. Expect some interviews, too, mostly with people connected to creative tourism. The overlooked corners of Croatia, travel to every corner of the world with Croatia Underrated. And the other way around.
Croatia Underrated
S02 Ep14 - Folk Customs - St Nicholas Feast Day Joys and Scares
There are many symbols of the Christmas season, and the joy of children is definitely one of them. That joy is often connected with receiving gifts. Here in Croatia, the first important gift-bringer is usually St Nicholas. He visits the homes somewhere in the night before his feast day, and that’s December the 6th. He leaves gifts for good children and ceremonially opens up the joyful Christmas season.
We could call St Nicholas Day an overture to Christmas. Small gifts, children’s anticipation, seasonal magic, even a saint, so the religious side of Christmas doesn’t slide through. On St Nicholas Eve, children will clean their boots and put them in their windows. In the morning, they will find a present inside!
Oh, wait! There is something else in those boots! Golden twigs? What's with that? The answer will unlock the secret of that concerned look in the children's eyes. St Nicholas never travels alone...