Christmas Around the World

Merry Christmas!

I don’t know about you, but I love to learn about how others celebrate Christmas around the world. Traditions and memories are important. It’s part of who we are. It’s what we do.

While I was writing Near the Danube Bridge, I spent the most time writing about Kalman Hartig’s Christmas when he was a child. I wanted to get how they celebrated Christmas just right. I did a lot of research regarding the background of the countries his parents and grandparents were from. His siblings and parents cherished special traditions that brought them together, in addition to music, that softened their feelings toward each other when difficulties and differences were often tearing them apart.

Near the Danube Bridge isn’t just a story about Kalman’s suffering. There is joy, humor, tradition, and emotion. And it contains peace as well.

Elisabeth and I wish you a warm and peaceful Christmas and a happy 2026.

Catherine Allen-Walters