Slovaks and Christmas Traditions

The Mystique of a Slovak Bazaar

This scenario has been repeated at St. Paul’s Slovak Lutheran Church in Toronto for over 50 years, and the bazaar atmosphere is not that different from other Slovak organizations. With every bazaar there is the lively discussion of how our friends and family (sometimes no longer among the living) made these same klobasy, hurky, noodles or crafts and the ensuing debates as to whether the current batch is better or worse.

The selection of home made Slovak pastries always draws a large crowd.

The passage of time always make things from days gone by seem better, simpler or just more elegant … and this is reinforced in many cases because we still use the same meat grinder, cooking pots or utensils. This connection with the past makes us more aware of some of our Slovak heritage, and honours those that came before us. We remember them with fondness and pride and are happy that we have not only preserved tradition but can pass on these traditions to the next generation. The tradition of our rich and varied foods, the customs that make these foods special, and the experience of being part of our Slovak community are what bazaars are about.

We love the bazaar atmosphere and will always continue to uphold this tradition. Through the hard work associated with each bazaar, we not only re-affirm our beliefs but also those around us from our neighbourhood churches, clubs or organizations. Some people will argue that bazaars have outlived their place in today’s society but they cannot deny that the traditional bazaar starts the Christmas season and leads to all those happy expectations and rewards that the season brings. Having it any other way would make this time of the year very worldly and commercial, and that much colder and emptier. That, in short, is a summary of all that makes the bazaar an enchanting mystery!.

Click here to visit the photo reportage of the 1997 Toronto bazaars.

... with very special thanks to Vierka Petkovsky for final editing.
All contents to this article © 1997, Ladislav Kozak, Ondro Mihal.
All comments should be forwarded
to Ondro Mihal at omihal@slovak.com.
Last update on December 21, 1997.