Czech golden pig ornaments get mask for COVID Christmas

A worker carries a frame with glass Christmas tree decorations at OzdobaCZ factory, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, December 1, 2020. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/David W Cerny

A Czech Christmas ornament maker has added tiny masks to the country's traditional golden pigs, which are said to arrive in the homes of good children who fast before Christmas Eve's family feast.

The glass ornaments which can be hung from a Christmas tree have proved incredibly popular.

OZDOBAcz company owner Romana Juklova said they decided to mask the pigs in September to reflect how Czechs are adapting for Christmas this year.

A worker heats a glass Christmas tree decoration shaped like a pig at OzdobaCZ factory, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, December 1, 2020. The masked Golden Pig ornaments draw inspiration from a Czech tradition of fasting on Christmas Day to see a Golden Pig, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. REUTERS/David W Cerny

"We used to add bows and flowers to them and this year, we added a face mask... We hope that next year we can decorate them a bit more cheerfully."

According to custom, the pigs bring good luck and happiness.

The masked pig ornaments have proved so popular, Juklova said, that they are making little else.

A worker blows a glass Christmas tree decoration shaped like a pig at OzdobaCZ factory, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, December 1, 2020. The masked Golden Pig ornaments draw inspiration from a Czech tradition of fasting on Christmas Day to see a Golden Pig, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. REUTERS/David W Cerny

"They have become a massive hit," she said. "Now we are not doing anything else apart from making the piglets in face masks."

(Reporting by Jiri Skacel, Writing by Michael Kahn, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

Workers paint glass Christmas tree decorations shaped like pigs at OzdobaCZ factory, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, December 1, 2020. The masked Golden Pig ornaments draw inspiration from a Czech tradition of fasting on Christmas Day to see a Golden Pig, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/David W Cerny

A worker sorts glass Christmas tree decorations shaped like pigs at OzdobaCZ factory, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic, December 1, 2020. The masked Golden Pig ornaments draw inspiration from a Czech tradition of fasting on Christmas Day to see a Golden Pig, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture taken December 1, 2020. REUTERS/David W Cerny