Our first advent story

Saúde e um feliz Natal!

Christmas in Portugal is a record-breaking time. Clara Correia-Melo, research group leader at the Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, comes from the Azores Islands and describes a real marathon: "For us, everything from December 24 to January 6 is dedicated to the festival of family."

For two weeks, the Azoreans move from family house to family house - any relative up to 3 generation should get a Christmas visit. It’s all about eating, talking… and drinking. In Azores “there are always homemade liqueurs to greet the guests at the front door," says Clara. What quickly ends in cheerful conviviality for the adults is also a never ending party for the children - they can (undisturbed :-)) feast on bowls over bowls of sweets.
 
And what else is typical of Portuguese Christmas?
 
Boiled salted codfish on Christmas Eve, roasted food on Christmas Day, ‘Bolo Rei' Christmas cake (literally ’The King cake’), homemade and very colorful Christmas landscapes made of any material and traditionally: Shoes under the tree. (No socks please. No socks at all! :-)
 
Clara is looking forward to seeing her family in the Azores over Christmas. And she wishes you “Cheers and a Merry Christmas! Saúde e um Feliz Natal!“