Christmas within the Czech Republic comes with an sudden star of the desk: carp. Not turkey, not ham—carp. Each December, cities like Prague and Ceský Krumlov shimmer with fairy lights, mulled wine stands, and—most intriguingly—avenue distributors promoting reside carp from big water tanks. “We, Czechs, love our carp,” says Jan, a walking-tour information in Ceský Krumlov. “We have now been consuming it for hundreds of years, however we’re nonetheless not uninterested in it… simply stroll into any hospoda and ask for carp any day. You gained’t be disenchanted.”
However consuming carp is barely half the story. The opposite half? It unfolds within the lavatory. For generations, households have introduced residence a reside carp and let it paddle round within the family bathtub till Christmas Eve. “This can be a enjoyable custom,” says Dana Horalíková, a Prague resident and founding father of Prague Behind The Scenes.
In line with folklore, the carp wanted a few days in clear water to rid itself of a muddy flavour. Some households ultimately launched their would-be meal into close by ponds, granting the fish an sudden vacation reprieve. Others adopted custom to the letter and ready it for his or her festive feast.
