EDUCA international, o.p.s.

🎄✨ 4th Christmas Sunday: Celebrating Together 🎉❤️ Today marks the 4th Christmas Sunday, bringing us closer to the joy of Christmas Day! 🌟 For this special occasion, we wanted to share a glimpse into how our team celebrates this festive season. 📸 Here’s a peek into our celebrations: From decorating the tree 🎄 to baking cookies 🍪, sharing laughs, and enjoying warm moments together, the holiday spirit is all around us. Each tradition reminds us of the importance of love, kindness, and togetherness. This season isn’t just about the lights and gifts—it’s about the moments we share and the memories we create with those who matter most. #4thChristmasSunday #HolidayJoy #TeamCelebrations #Togetherness

Story time! 📖 The brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German linguists and folklorists who published their famous collection of fairy tales in the early 19th century to preserve traditional German folklore. The tales they collected were based on oral traditions passed down through generations. They often altered the stories to make them more suitable to their middle-class audience, so over time, they evolved in the more softened versions. Although the tales are typically associated with German folklore, many of them have roots in other European traditions, as stories and motifs were shared across borders. The Grimms‘ work helped shape the modern understanding of fairy tales as we know them today. They are also loved during the Christmas season. ✨🎄#brothersgrimm #gebrüdergrimm #fairytail #europeantraditions

On December 21, we solemnly remember the tragic events that unfolded at Charles University's Faculty of Arts last year. This day marks the anniversary of a profound loss that deeply affected our academic community and the nation. The university community is encouraged to use this period as a time for quiet reflection, honoring the memories of those we lost. Faculty buildings will be closed from December 21 to 29 to provide space for contemplation. Let us light a candle, share a moment of silence, and keep the memories of the victims alive in our hearts. Charles University Univerzita Karlova

🌟 Ukraine: The Vertep Tradition 🎭✨ One of Ukraine’s most cherished Christmas traditions is the Vertep, a festive nativity play that combines spirituality, storytelling, and lively performances. This custom brings communities together to celebrate the birth of Christ and share the joy of the season. 🎄👶🌟 🎭 What is Vertep? The Vertep is more than just a nativity scene—it’s a traveling performance where actors or puppets reenact the Christmas story, often with humorous and modern twists. The play blends religious themes with cultural elements, including traditional songs, dances, and even comedic characters. Traditionally, performers would go door-to-door, spreading the holiday spirit. Modern Vertep groups often perform in town squares, churches, or community gatherings, keeping the vibrant tradition alive. A Vertep performance is never complete without the beautiful melodies of Ukrainian Christmas carols, bringing warmth and unity to all who watch. 💬 Have you ever seen a Vertep performance? Or does your community have a similar tradition? Let us know in the comments! #UkrainianChristmas #Vertep #NativityPlay #HolidayTraditions

🎁 Slovakia: The Tradition of Heartfelt, Modest Gifts 🎄✨ In Slovakia, the holiday season is less about extravagant presents and more about giving from the heart. The tradition of exchanging modest, meaningful gifts reflects the true spirit of Christmas—love, gratitude, and thoughtfulness. ❤️ 🎀 What Makes Slovak Gifting Special? Gifts are often handmade or chosen with care to show personal connection. It’s the thought, not the price, that counts. 🕊️ A Focus on Togetherness: The act of giving is seen as a way to strengthen relationships, with the real treasure being the time spent together. #SlovakTraditions #HeartfeltGifts #ChristmasSpirit #GivingWithLove

🎵 Ukraine: The Global Influence of "Shchedryk" (Carol of the Bells) ✨ One of the most iconic Christmas carols heard around the world, "Carol of the Bells", has its roots in Ukraine! Known in its original form as "Shchedryk", this beautiful melody was composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1916, inspired by a traditional Ukrainian folk song. 🎶🌟 🔔 What Does "Shchedryk" Mean? The name comes from the Ukrainian word for "bountiful evening." The song tells the story of a swallow bringing blessings and prosperity for the new year. 🌍 How It Became "Carol of the Bells": In the 1930s, the song was adapted with English lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky, transforming it into the holiday classic we know today. Its enchanting four-note motif and choral harmonies have since made it a global symbol of Christmas joy. 🎄 A Proud Ukrainian Legacy: "Shchedryk" is a reminder of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage, spreading its beauty to audiences everywhere. #Shchedryk #CarolOfTheBells #UkrainianHeritage #HolidayMusic

✨Did you ever hide a pickle ornament within your Christmas tree? 🎄🥒 Although there a several possible origins, the most widely accepted story about the origin of this tradition points to Germany. The story goes that the pickle was hidden inside the tree on Christmas Eve, and the child who found it would receive an extra gift or special privilege. 🔎🎁 This tradition continues to be a fun and lighthearted way to bring a sense of competition and excitement to Christmas tree decorating! 🎄✨

🌟 Slovakia: The Golden Coin Ritual for Good Fortune ✨ In Slovakia, Christmas is not just about delicious food and festive cheer—it’s also a time for meaningful traditions that bring luck and prosperity into the New Year. One such cherished ritual is the golden coin ritual. 💰🎄 🔔 How It Works: A golden coin (or small coin) is placed under the Christmas Eve dinner plate for each family member. This symbolizes wealth, abundance, and good fortune for the coming year. 💛 🍽️ After the meal, some families slip the coin into their pocket or keep it safe as a charm, ensuring the luck stays with them all year long! 🌟 A Symbol of Hope: The coin tradition is more than just about material wealth—it’s a reminder to embrace gratitude and share blessings with others. #SlovakTraditions #ChristmasRituals #GoldenCoin #GoodFortune

🌟🌾 Ukraine: The Significance of 12 Dishes on Christmas Eve 🌟🌾 Today is the 3rd Christmas Sunday, bringing us closer to the magic of Christmas! 🎄✨ In Ukraine, Christmas Eve (Sviatyi Vechir) is a deeply meaningful celebration, centered around a traditional meal of 12 dishes. 🍽️ Why 12 Dishes? The 12 dishes symbolize the 12 apostles and reflect gratitude for the blessings of the year. Each dish is meatless, honoring the fasting tradition, and prepared with care to ensure abundance and unity in the family. 🌾 Common Dishes Include: Kutia: Sweet grain pudding representing life and joy. Borscht: A hearty beet soup. Varenyky: Dumplings filled with potatoes, cabbage, or fruit. Holubtsi: Cabbage rolls stuffed with rice or buckwheat. Uzvar: A dried fruit compote symbolizing health. 🕯️ The table is set with symbolic items like hay to represent the manger, and the meal starts when the first star appears in the sky, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. #UkrainianChristmas #12Dishes #3rdChristmasSunday #HolidayTraditions

This year, we again took part at Krabice od bot, a charity event annually organized by the Diakonie Českobratrské církve evangelické. ✨🎄 This was our charity Christmas parcel for a family in the Řevnice region. 🎁💝 Diakonie ČCE @Krabiceodbot Josef Linhart @DOBRÝ POCIT Charitativní Vintage Boutique www.pomocodsrdce.com #krabiceodbot #krabiceodbot2024 #christmasspirit #christmasgift #socialresponsibilty #merrychristmas