This year the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, begins on February 19th. It is the longest celebration on the Chinese calendar, and many consider it to be the most important holiday in China. The belief behind the holiday is that people born on the corresponding years of animals will take on some […]
Holidays and Traditions
New Year’s Traditions in Russia
For many countries, the majority of winter holidays have passed, but this is not the case in Russia! In fact, Russian New Year’s Eve trumps Christmas in importance, with significant celebrations occurring all over the country in recognition of the holiday. There are actually two New Year’s holidays celebrated in Russia. Russia’s “Old” New Year […]
Holiday Traditions Around the World: Part 3 – Sweden
In our last installment of Holiday Traditions Around the World, we will uncover traditions of the St. Lucia holiday in Sweden. We at Cultural Awareness International thank you for following this series and wish you and yours a very happy holiday season! St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden The Swedish Christmas season begins each year with […]
Holiday Traditions Around the World: Part 2 – Ethiopia
Timkat in Ethiopia Each January, the remote city of Gondar is inundated with pilgrims during the religious festival of Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany. One of the most important holidays of the year, Timkat is a two-day festival beginning on January 19th that celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. On […]
Holiday Traditions Around the World: Part 1 – Peru
Join Cultural Awareness International for this three-part series as we explore holiday traditions around the world . . . Christmas in Peru Christmas traditions in Peru date back to 1535. The holiday has a long history in the country as the majority of the population practices Catholicism. December 24th is La Noche Buena, or “Good […]
Calaveras and Marigolds: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ holiday is celebrated annually from October 31st to November 2nd. During the 3-day-long festivities, family members celebrate loved ones who have passed away by bringing sugar skulls (Calaveras), marigolds as well as photographs to decorate family members’ graves with. Marigolds are used in these rituals […]