Life /
POLISH "WIGLIA" -- NOT JUST ANOTHER BOOZE-UP [12]
-- the meal comprises 12 or an odd number of meatless dishes dominated by fish, mushrooms, sauerkraut, pierogi and other farinaceous things, compote, poppyseeds honey, gingerbread, etc. many dishes served only on this one night a year;
-- although Poles are known for their fondness for tipples, this is one festive meal at which alcoholic drinks are absent or used only in great moderation, the occasion regarded as too solemn for any serious libation;
-- Wigilia lore includes such now largely tongue-in-cheek beliefs as: if the first non-family member to enter the house on Christmas Eve is a male, that brings good luck. Also, how you are on Christmas Eve you will be the whole year (a child that has to be spanked, well.....)
Ok, you forgot Barscz as one of the staple dishes on Wigilia, in fact it is the one that I know to be the most important.
As for alcoholic drinks they are most DEFINITELY present during Wigilia with everyone toasting the birth of Jesus.
And the male and female good/bad luck deal is on New Years day and not Christmas Eve. I am Polish with my many friends and relatives that come directly from Poland and this is consistent among all of us. Have you celebrated Wigilia???
