The image is familiar: December 25, the long table, the cannelloni waiting, the nougat everywhere and the after-dinner which drags on without haste. And the next day, the Catalans go back to the table to celebrate. Saint Etiennea custom so accepted that its origin is rarely asked.
But when you scratch a little, a fascinating historical thread emerges that reveals just how Catalonia It preserves customs and rituals that are not repeated in the rest of the state. And far from being a modern whim, this Christmas tradition has its roots in the 9th century, in the midst of Carolingian influencewhen family and religious rhythms functioned differently and Christmas in Catalonia It was beginning to take shape as we know it.
A direct heritage from the Carolingian past
To understand why Saint Etienne it’s always a party Cataloniayou have to travel to the time when the so-called “Old Catalonia” was part of Charlemagne’s empire. It did not depend on Toledo, like the rest of the Christian territories of the peninsula, but on the bishopric of Narbonne, which generated differences in calendar, social organization and customs. THE Carolingian influence This is especially reflected in the idea of family: it was not a small nucleus, but a large clan scattered throughout the territory.
THE Christmas tradition He demanded that everyone gather at the mansion on Christmas Day. This involved long, dark and complicated journeys – often impossible to make in the middle of the medieval night – and so December 26 became the day set aside for returning home. It was not exactly a liturgical feast, but a day without work to allow the return. That’s why the proverb says it so clearly: “At Christmas, every sheep in its fold; Saint Etienneeveryone at home. »
Over the centuries, what began as a logistical necessity grew into a deeply rooted celebration. Thus was born one of the characteristics of the Christmas in Cataloniainherited directly from Carolingian influence.
A tradition that connects Catalonia to Europe
The Catalan case is not an isolated exception on the map. Wherever the Carolingian organization arrived, this festive structure was also maintained: one day to meet up, another to return. In the countries of central and northern Europe we find sister celebrations which maintain the same logic. The difference is that, in Cataloniathe custom did not dilute over time, but flourished as a specific way of understanding the Christmas tradition and strengthen family coexistence beyond December 25.
In fact, the same pattern explains why Easter Monday and Easter Monday in Granada continue to be festive: they respond to the same pattern of large family gatherings typical of the Carolingian heritage. These are festivities that show how the Catalan calendar keeps alive very ancient cultural structures which, although adapted to modern life, continue to mark the way we celebrate the major dates of the year.
A Christmas with its own character
Today Saint Etienne is undoubtedly part of Christmas in Catalonia. Not only because it gives rise to a second big meal – yes, cannelloni also have a lot of history behind them – but because it continues to represent that mixture of identity, tradition and collective memory which characterizes a large part of the Catalan festive calendar.
Behind every full table on December 26 lies much more than a gastronomic excuse: there is the memory of a vast family system, the imprint of a European empire and the continuity of a Christmas tradition which distinguishes Catalonia and keeps it connected to a past that remains alive with each celebration.
About The Author
