What's that you say?!!
Štramberské uši (or Štramberk ears) are confectionery products of gingerbread dough in the shape of a cone, which are baked in this Moravian town and in the surrounding area. (The "heart" ginger breads in this photo are something different than the "ears". The ears are what is packaged and displayed in the bins, just so you know!)
How did this tradition begin? It's not for the faint of heart to hear the story.
While the translation isn't the easiest to understand, the basic story/legend is that they are made in memory of Christians whose ears were cut off back in the 1200's by the Tartars who ransacked the village of Štramberk. Yikes!
Today they're simply a treat to be enjoyed when you're in this part of the country.
Going to Štramberk one last time was on Claire's list of things to do before she heads to the States. Since it's just 35 minutes away, it was an easy (and delightful!) one to check off her list.
Kaylee and I are having fun doing all her "lasts" before she heads to the States for college!
Mom and Dad...this photo is for you...knew you'd want to see me too today! :)
Oh, how I love being a part of your adventures across the ocean! What a beautiful story.....well, except for the part about ears being cut off! But, seriously, it's amazing how many ties to Christianity have stayed intact in Czech even through the whole Communist regime. Yay God!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that you and Claire can do some of these special memory days together. I LOVE the picture of her and Kaylee. One of her best pictures ever!!!
Love you lots, Michelle