It is almost February, which means that Mardi Gras is just around the corner! After all the Mardi Gras festivities, the season of Lent will begin, and many around the world will adjust their normal diet for religious reasons. During the season of Lent, Christians, specifically, Catholics, give up a certain food or practice fasting. […]
Culture
“Culture” is 2014’s Word of the Year
Cul•ture noun ˈkəl-chər : the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time : a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc. : a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business) Last month, dictionary giant Merriam-Webster […]
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 […]
