On December 3, our faculty transformed into a magical Christmas setting filled with lights, carols and the scent of festive treats. Students had the chance to experience one of the most beloved Czech winter traditions – the arrival of St. Nicholas. For many of them, it was their very first encounter with this cultural custom, and they eagerly compared it with holiday traditions back home.

Throughout the afternoon, students could enjoy typical Czech Christmas food such as schnitzel, gingerbread, biscuits and homemade sweets, all prepared to create an authentic seasonal atmosphere. One of the most popular activities was decorating homemade gingerbread cookies, which quickly turned into laughter-filled teamwork and friendly competition.

The highlight of the event was, of course, the entrance of St. Nicholas accompanied by his helpers – the angel and the devil. True to tradition, they brought a bag full of surprises, but not without a challenge. Each student had to successfully complete a small task drawn from St. Nicholas’s stocking in order to receive their reward. Singing, drawing, tongue twisters and Christmas wishes made the room lively and cheerful.

The afternoon was filled not only with great food and festive music, but also with intercultural sharing, new friendships and lots of Christmas spirit. We are delighted that this unique tradition once again connected students from different countries and backgrounds, giving them a warm introduction to Czech Advent customs.