December in Calgary is not only about pre-Christmas plans and frenzied shopping. For the Slovak community it's also a time to get together a enjoy our traditions.
Pre-Christmas season began with Slovak Mass in St. Gerard church, celebrated by Father Jack Bastigal. Organist Magdaléna Kováčová chose the most beautiful sacramental Christmas songs and at the end singers from the Folk ensembles Slnečnica sung wonderful Slovak carols. After the Mass everybody met together in the hall and enjoyed traditional refreshments.
The next day children met St. Nicholas and enjoyed all his gifts.
The biggest event was the Christmas concert by Slovak folklore groups Slnečnica and Slniečko which delighted all those present. The ensemble also has its own music band and together with the singers and dancers presented a most beautiful and challenging program of songs and dances from different regions of Slovakia. Children presented Bethlehem play and sung Christmas carols.
Moms from the Slovak school prepared delicious cakes, gingerbread and Christmas wafers for sale so that we could get in Calgary all traditional delicacies that are only available in Slovakia. All proceeds went to support the Slovak school.
After the show everybody met in the hall for an excellent cabbage soup, sausages and other Slovak delicacies, and enjoyed wonderful holiday spirit and mood.
Photo: Paul Carnogursky
