Christmas is very popular in the Czech Republic. The wintery climate of the country and central European setting gives a very traditional festive atmosphere to the Christmas period.

The Czechs have many of the usual Christmas traditions such as special meals over Christmas - the Czech's main day is 24th December - Christmas markets, parties, family gatherings, decorations, carols and gift giving. There are also a number of unique and rather strange Czech traditions and superstitions over the period.

Naturally food plays a big part of the Czech Christmas with people overindulging in a wide range of foods. Traditional Czech foods such as fried carp, schnitzel, dumplings, soups, smoked and roast meats and cabbage dishes are eaten. Czech Christmas cookies are famous.

Try some Czech Christmas food with this book.