An Early Kūčios, with Friends

Mr. Irene and I were delighted recently to have been invited to a lovely Kūčios potluck. Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. and the Lithuanian folk dance group with which we used to perform—Žaibas—hosted the event.

Madison, Wisconsin, December 2012. Each table featured a plate of plotkelės that diners shared before the meal.

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Madison, Wisconsin, December 2012. The spread included nearly every traditional Kūčios dish: herring, mushrooms, "Vinegretai," "Christmas Fish" (two ways!), smoked fishes, and Lithuanian bread.  (Compare our Kūčios table from last year.)

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Madison, Wisconsin, December 2012. After dinner, Santa Claus arrived with gifts for those children who were ready to sing, play an instrument, or recite a poem.

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Madison, Wisconsin, December 2012. Santa broke into a swoosh of Jurgelis Meistrelis moments after he arrived.

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Do you want to learn more about Kūčios? Check out these posts.