Pavlova: Australia's sweet delight
Beach, sea, pool, barbecues... welcome to Christmas in Australia. Yes, in the land of the kangaroos, the festivities take place in the middle of summer, under a blazing sun, far from European winter temperatures. Since 2020, Zina, an Australian by birth, has been celebrating Christmas in the Grand Duchy. For her, it's not quite the same atmosphere: the cold has replaced the summer heat. But one thing has remained: she has brought back with her a delicious dessert from her Australian Christmases, the Pavlova.
Zina knows all about Christmas in Australia. Having grown up there, she knows all about the summer atmosphere. Instead of snow and hearty family meals, she remembers barbecues with friends on the beach or by the pool. 'Instead of stuffed turkey, we'd have prawns, steak and grilled chicken,' she says.
Before settling in Luxembourg in 2020, she lived first in Newcastle and then in Brisbane, where she obtained a master's degree in environmental engineering. Today, Zina lives in Luxembourg and has every intention of staying. 'I really like it here,' she says.
The 44-year-old Australian was born in Vanuatu before emigrating to Down Under at the age of five. In all, she has 14 brothers and sisters and explains that at Christmas, they don't phone each other. 'It would be too complicated to call everyone personally'.
In Australia, Christmas rhymes with summer and is celebrated on 25 December. That's why its inhabitants celebrate the festivities outdoors, enjoying the fine weather with family and friends. Festivities include picnics, cricket on the beach and sometimes Father Christmas in shorts. Rather than lavish meals, people gather around grilled meats accompanied by fresh salads, fruit and light desserts. The atmosphere is relaxed and summery.
However, one traditional dish remains for New Year's Eve in Australia: ham, a lasting legacy of English heritage. But the real must-have at Christmas is dessert. Zina is proud to say that the famous Pavlova, a meringue-based cake, was invented in Australia. It is often garnished with kiwis, mangoes and other fresh seasonal fruits.
For her, Christmas in her homeland is very different from European traditions. Australians don’t always adhere to deep-rooted religious customs. "We don’t go to church either. In fact, Christmas in Australia is a blend of various traditions, reflecting the diversity of our beliefs and cultural origins That's why everyone celebrates in their own way,’ she says explains. She adds with a teasing smile: 'The only thing we have in common is the Christmas tree. And even then! In our house, it's usually artificial'.
For the festive season, she plans to go to Norway with some Australian friends, after spending Christmas in warmer destinations such as Portugal, Reunion and Vanuatu. Once back in Luxembourg, she is organising a dinner where she will introduce her guests to Luxembourg specialities such as Gromperekichelcher or Kniddelen, accompanied by Glühwäin and eggnog, two of her favourite drinks. And why not a Pavlova, in a nod to her Australian roots, she says before revealing her Christmas wish: that everyone may find joy in what they do and be grateful for what they have.
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