International
Four of Europe’s most fascinating pre-Christian winter festivals
Christmas has become the dominant festival in the Western cultural calendar, but echoes of the pre-Christian past can still be found across the continent.
Christmas is the dominant festival in the Western winter, with an immediately recognisable cast of characters: Jesus, the Holy Family and gift-giving figures like Father Christmas and the Three Magi. Look closer, though, and you’ll find a mysterious ensemble of shadow characters populating Europe’s winter festivals, whispering echoes of a pre-Christian past. Some resemble stock characters from myth and legend, like witches and demons; others have an animist feel, invoking the spirits of nature.
Historically the Church tried to stamp out these folkloric figures, but many of them survived, often by being absorbed into Christian cultural customs. Today, they offer a fascinating glimpse into how folklore and religious traditions intertwine, forming the basis for vibrant festivals that travellers can experience for themselves. Here are four of the most fascinating: