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Yugoslavia was created around Serbia with the addirion of other former provinces that were newly created or part of Austro-Hungary. Today these various components are independent, but it is not possible to tell where in Yugoslavia many available photographs were taken, so we have created a Yugoslav page even though the country imploded (early-1990s). There were three periods. Royal Yugoslavia (1923-41, German/Italian Workld War II occupation (1941-45) and Communist Yugoslavia (1945-91). This all effected the celebration of Christmas. Christmas was notable in Yugoslavia for its diversity, any different denominations with the Orthodox and catholic churches being the most important. (And the two denominations were divided into different factions. In addition there was a substantial Muslim population, especially in Bosnia and areas of southern Serbia near Albania. As a result, there were many different Christmas traditions, some religious, but many secular. . The Communists Partisans under Tito seized control of Yugoslavia at the end of World War II (1945). The Communists as in the Soviet Union launched an atheist campaign with some intensity, but without the extraordinary brutality of the Soviet campaign. Father Frost replaced Santa fora time, but many of the country's secular transitions were retained. Yugoslavia was a Communist country, but after the break with Stalin (1948) was much more open and less totalitarian than other communist countries and a degree of religious freedom. Many families were able to continue celebrating Christmas. With the break up of Yugoslavia, the new independent countries are more homogenous in terms of religion, such as the Orthodox church in Serbia and the Catholic church in Croatia.
Yugoslavia was created around Serbia with the addirionand other former provinces that were newly created or part of Austro-Hungary. Today these various components are independent, but it is not possible to tell where in Yugoslavia many available photographs were taken, so we have created a Yugoslav page even though the country imploded (early-1990s). There were three periods. Royal Yugoslavia (1923-41, German/Italian Workld War II occupation (1941-45) and Communist Yugoslavia (1945-91). This all effected the celebration of Christmas.
Christmas was notable in Yugoslavia for its diversity which often cut across ethnic klines. There were many different denominations with the Orthodox and Catholic churches being the most important. (And the two denominations were divided into different factions.) In addition there was a substantial Muslim population, especially in Bosnia and areas of southern Serbia near Albania. Religion was important in pre-World War II Yugoslavia, at least until the Communists seized control of the country and launched an atheism campaign. There were definite differences between the various constituent republics, but the noteable aspect of the country was the degree to which ethnicitt and releigion was mixed. Bosnia in particular was an ethnic and religious stew of Serb, Croat, Orthodox, Catholic, along with Muslims and a few Jews. Orthodox Christianity was the most important religion (over 40 percent). The religion was heavily determined by ethnicity. Orthodox Christianity dominated in Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Roman Catholicism was next most improtant (30 percent), concentrated in Croatia and Slovenia. Muslims were concentrated in Kosovo and Bosnia (over 10 percent). There were outbreaks of ethic and religious violence in the area of Yugoslavia, but during the period of Royal Yugoslavia there was relative peace (1918-41). This changed during the Axis occuopation. Led by the Germans and their Croatian allies, the country became an ethnic and religious killing field. Yugoslav Jews were largely murdered. Orthodiox Serbs were targeted by the Ustache in Croatia and Bisnia. The Serbs targeted Muslims in Kosovo. The Germans fornmed Muslim SS groups which tatgeted Serbs and Jews. The ethnic and religius conflict combined with the the Resistance led by guerrilla fighters, Yugoslavia had one of the highest death rates of the NAZI occupied countries. With the advent of the Communists (1945), the importance of relgion in national life significantly declined. Religion was not banned, but there as atheist campaign
As a result, there were many different Christmas traditions, some religious, but many secular.
Orthodox believers, most Serbians, Montenegrins, and Macedonians celebrate Christmas (January 7). The festive season begins befiore this. There are many slavas (family saint patron day celebrations). Sveti Nikola or St Nicholas is celebrated December 19th. He is the most important one, because of his assiciattion with children, andthe most widely celebrated of all slavas.
Orthodox secular customs are somewhat different than Catholic cusims. Tis is primarrily because Orthisox christmnascomes fter Neww Years. Gifts are traditionally exchanged on News Year making Orthodox Christmas is a quieter, lrgeky family oriented affair. The Christmas tree is a relatively new phenomenon. The custom only into Yugoslavia from Austria (late-18th century). This was when theOttoman hold on the Balkabns began to weaken It at first lrgely affected Slvenia abd Croatia in the north. The Christmas tree began to replace the earloer custom of bringing a green shoot into the home at the Winter solstice. This wasseen as having a life force, living strength, andrepresented health, happiness, and of new life being born. People in meduevl timnes sawit as having magical effects, heling to repel demons and protect the fmily from evil. Birch twigs, which were called 'Polazniki' or 'Carollers'. They were brought carollers, often dresse assheherds who recite verses wishing health to people and animals, a bountful harvest, and geberal economic prosperity. Christmas in modern times often egan with Mother's Day. The second Sunday before Christmas was Mother's Day. A popular tradition was for the children to sneak in and playfully tie her feet to a chair and then shout, 'Mother's Day, Mother's Day, what will you pay to get away?' She then gives them small presents. The same happens to father the following week. Santa Clause was a big part of Christmas. And in Yugoslavia this often meant grandfather dressing up, not just department store Santas. Some children were a little scared, depending on how grandfather acted the part. Acanadian of Yugosklav ancestry tells us ofhis experiences with Santa, "
I was not born in Yugo, but I did grow up in Canada under the 'nurturing wings' of the Serbian community. Ahem. So, my godfather used to be Santa Claus for Christmas ... and on Christmas Eve, after church service, he would come up the back steps into the main hall shouting HO HO HOOOOO... and all the kids would basically run for cover. Why, you ask? Why would we run for cover? Glad you asked.
He would whip the candy at the kids. I'm talking full sized chocolate bars and mandarin oranges ... he would WHIP THEM AT OUR HEADS. And he kept shouting/laughing... "HO HO HOOO MARRY KRISTMASS AHAHAHA" and aim for our heads. Yep." There was a common superstition that bad luck will come if their Yule log burns out. That some one has to to keep the fire going all night. Mothers prepare the chestnitsa, a Christmas cake with a small gold or silver coin hidden inside. Whoever gets the slice of cake with the coon is guaranteed good luck for the coming year. A favorite Christmas dinner is a roast sucking pig,. Carving is based on long standing family traditiins. An Orthodoc Cristmasfest may be alittle different without meat, instead comprising roast fish, beans, potatoes, bread, salad, and compote, as well as dried and fresh fruit. Red wine is often present. Families create Christmas cribs. Families with the children in tow go into the forests to gather moss and other greenery. The moss is used to line the crib. Before the invention of the phonograph and radio, many families had cherished music box that played Christmas music. By the time Yugoslavia created, they were seen as family treasures.
The Communists Partisans under Tito seized control of Yugoslavia at the end of World War II (1945). The Communists as in the Soviet Union launched an atheist campaign with some intensity, but without the extraordinary brutality of the Soviet campaign.
As in other Communist countries, Comminist authorities attempted to turn Coimminisn into kind of state relogion. [Flere] Tuti's charisma had some impacrt, by the whole effort did siurvive Tito to any degree. He died (1980). Yigoslab=via survived only abither decade. The Communists tried to replace Sabtawuth Father Frost for a time, but many of the country's secular transitions were retained. Yugoslavia was a Communist country, but after the break with Stalin (1948) was much more open and less totalitarian than other communist countries and a degree of religious freedom. Many families were able to continue celebrating Christmas, but Yougoslv ifficials never dropped the Atheism program. We note a report that organized religion has been branded by Yugoslav Communist leaders as a dangerous domestic enemy, and strict new laws governing church activity are expected to come into force before the end of the year. (1975). The repoet read, "Activities by Christian and Moslem leaders, some of them abroad, have been under attack as improper by the governmentcontrolled press. Speeches by government and party leaders have assumed the same tone toward religion. Such attacks have varied in intensity, but many have broadly suggested that churchmen have been guilty of spying, sabotage and treason, besides undermining the morality of youth." [Browne]
With the break up of Yugoslavia, the new independent countries are more homogenous in terms of religion, such as the Orthodox church in Serbia and the Catholic church in Croatia.
Browne, Malcom W. "Yugoslavia's leaders are stepping up campaign against religious activity," New Tork Times (December 22, 1975).
Flere, Sergej. "The atheist civil religion in Communist Yugoslavia: The broken covenant of Tito’s people ," JHK (2005).
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