If you’re reading this, then you either have experienced a Slava or have no idea what the heck I’m talking about. Let me first describe what a Slava is:
Slava, derived from Slavic languages, translates to “glory.” When there is a Slava, you are celebrating a saint. Every day, all 365 days, are named after a saint, some days even are named after multiple saints. You may also have heard of “ima-den” which translates to “name day.” What is the difference?
A name day is a type of slava that occurs when someone in the house that is hosting the celebration is named after the saint. For example, my host brother in Sveti Nikole is named Nikole. This Friday, December 19, is day of St. Nikole. So, my host family there will have a name day to celebrate my host brother. You may also wonder, does the town Sveti Nikole have a slava for the day of St. Nikole? Yes. Let me explain further.
Macedonians, from my experience and encounters, love celebrations (and this is one of the many reasons why I love it here). So, there can be a Slava, or name day, for when one person in the family is named after that saint. There can also be a celebration by the village/town/city if the name of the village/town/city is named after that saint. So, Sveti Nikole, the town, will have a celebration as a whole to celebrate the day of St. Nikole. It doesn’t stop there. Also, families can have slavas even if a family member is not named after a specific saint. These particular days have been passed down from generation to generation within the family, so they have celebrated certain saints for decades. Pretty cool, huh?
**Also, Slavas occur more frequently the month leading up to Christmas (Jan. 9th) and Easter, so now, we're in the Slava season!
If you didn’t understand any of that, just remember one thing: the food and drinks are endless. I’m not kidding. But, it's some of the best food I've had with such good company.
Now let's get started, shall we? Here are my 10 guidelines to follow if you're a novice attending a Slava:
2. When asked what you want to drink, ask for water with your drink of choice, especially if it’s alcohol. Your drinks will be refilled often.
3. When beginning the slava, try to engage in conversation—this will keep you from staring at the mouth watering food waiting for you to take just one bite (hint hint, it can and will never be just one bite.)
4. When serving yourself, always remember small portions. Actually, think of how much a mouse would eat of each food-a very very small amount. There will be more food to try, trust me.
5. When eating, make sure you try everything. I mean it. People will tell you to eat and to take food throughout the evening, so even if it’s sitting on your plate, this is good.
6. When drinking, make sure you are okay with having multiple glasses of whatever it is you’re drinking. Most of the time, you will be asked if you want more to drink, but sometimes if you’re not paying attention, your glass will be refilled without asking, even if it’s half full. Be careful with alcohol!
7. Make sure you save room to try a bite of every. single. dessert.
8. Continue guideline #3 throughout the evening. Talk. It will keep your mind off the food.
9. Eat and drink slowly, even if you’re hungry. Eat mindfully-Peace Corps would be proud.
10. If you have more than one slava or name day in one evening, I bid you farewell…I mean good luck!!
First, the table is typically set with potato salad (potatoes and red onion), cabbage (dressed in oil and vinegar), olives, pickled vegetables, sometimes a salsa-like salad, and сарма (my favorite!) "car-ma"
Also, if you want to get a taste of what I'm eating, check out "Americans Try Balkan Food for the First Time": It's pretty spot on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndm6QyXhGMc
Thank you for reading and I hope this has convinced you to come visit me during the holiday season!
XOXO
-R