How are winter holidays celebrated in different parts of the world?
Language Connections, an interpretation and translation services company, shares six different winter holidays from around the world.
Sviata Vechera – Ukraine
In Ukraine one of the most important winter holidays is Christmas. Christmas celebrations begin on the 2nd January and Christmas is on January 7th. Many traditions can be traced back to pre-Christian times. On Christmas Eve, there is a massive feast known as Sviata Vechera, or Holy Supper, which is composed of 12 meatless dishes representing the twelve apostles.
Wheat is the main component of the first course, called kutia, made of boiled kernels sweetened with honey and flavored with poppy seeds or nuts. Kutia is a symbol of prosperity for the coming year. Traditionally a spoonful of kutia was thrown into the air, and if it stuck to the ceiling, the new year would be a prosperous one!
Ta Chiu – Hong Kong
Ta Chiu is a Taoist fesival of peace and renewal held on December 27th in Hong Kong. Participants summon up their gods and ghosts, requesting they use their godly power to renew their lives. At the end of the festival, priests read aloud the names of everyone living in the area. A list of names is then attached to a paper horse and set on fire, carrying all of the names up to the gods in the smoke.
Taoists believe in the existence of the “Three Pure Ones. These spirits live in the stars, thought to be the true source of life, and beyond the reach of change or decay. During Ta Chiu, the spirits are invited down to share their powers with the people, helping them to renew their lives and find cosmic harmony.
St. Lucia Day – Sweden
St. Lucia Day honors a third-century saint thought to be the bearer of light during the dark Swedish winters. An old peasant custom adopted into Christmas celebrations, it starts off the holiday season in Sweden. Every December 13th, girls dress in long white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of lit candles on their heads.
On St. Lucia Day girls awaken their families with songs and sweet, saffron-flavored buns. According to the old almanac, St. Lucia Night, was the longest night of the year, when supernatural beings were out and about and animals could speak. By morning, the livestock were very hungry and people needed extra nourishment often in the form of several big breakfasts. This kind of feasting led up to the Christmas fast, which began on St. Lucia Day.
Omisoka – Japan
In Japan, Omisoka, or New Year’s Eve, among the other winter holidays, is the second most important one when Japanese families gather for a late dinner followed by a midnight visit to a shrine or temple. During this spiritual time, a cast bell is struck 108 times, symbolizing the desires that cause human suffering. This is accompanied by the passing out of a traditional sweet drink called Amazake.
In Japan, on December 31st people clean their homes thoroughly from top to bottom removing the past year’s clutter. Before visiting the temple at midnight, many Japanese people attend parties or stay at home to watch the nationally broadcast Red vs. White Singing contest, where contestants compete up until a half hour before midnight.
Noël – France
In France, on the most anticipated winter holidays, Christmas, or Noël, is named after Père Noël – the father of Christmas. Typically on Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace in anticipation of having them filled with gifts from Père Noël . In the morning, they awaken to find fruits, nuts and small toys waiting for them inside their shoes. Nearly every home in France has a nativity scene, which serves as the focal point and is similar to the role of the Christmas tree in the United States.
The midnight service on Christmas Eve is traditionally followed by a meal called le reveillon,meaning to wake up, and is symbolic of a spiritual awakening. The meal typically consists of oysters (particularly in Paris), sausages, wine, baked ham, roast fowl, salads, fruit, and pastries.
Boxing Day – Great Britain
Boxing Day, celebrated on Dec. 26th, is a winter holiday of unknown origin possibly dating back to the middle ages in Great Britain. One explanation for the name is that it was once customary for tradesmen to receive Christmas boxes, or gifts, in return for their service throughout the past year. Boxes were also put out on this day to collect money and gifts for charities and the poor.
In England, because Dec. 26th is also St. Stephen’s Day, it is associated with horse-racing and hunting. Until 2004, hunting was actually a traditional part of Boxing Day celebrations. Since a ban on fox hunting was enacted, participants gather in their red hunting coats, but it is forbidden for hunting dogs to chase the fox.
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