Essay: Christmases in Estonia
Maarja Mägi 11B
Christmas celebrations in Estonia
In Estonia, Christmas time is considered to be the most important time
of the year. In recent times, Christmases have grown to be more a
commercial holiday. What is more, Estonian Christmas celebrations have
been changed due to German cultural influences.
Christmases in Estonia on the whole have two meanings: first one is to
celebrate the birth of the Christ and secondly it marks the whole period of
mid-winter festivities. In Estonia's folk tradition, Christmas (in Estonian
"jõulud" is of ancient Scandinavian origin and has no connection with
Christianity) was a time of year to celebrate the shortest day and longest
night. At the same time, Christmas was the culmination of the late
autumn celebrations. Christmas Eve and Christmas Night were the most
annaabi.ee 
