Holidays Around the World

For the 2006 Holiday Season, the different countries at Epcot Center's World Showcase had signs and presentations made up of how each of the different countries celebrated their holidays. Here are the ones that I have collected so far:

Norway

Christmas is a festive time in the "Land of the Midnight Sun". On Christmas Eve, farm animals are traditionally treated to the finest oats and barely. Birds are remembered during julenek, when they are offered large sheaves of grain placed high on spruce poles. After darkness it's "lights out" as homes are illuminated by only the warm glow of candlelight.

An elf-like gnome named Julenissen lives in woods and barns across the countryside. Julenissen is the guardian of every family's welfare, so children leave a steaming bowl of porridge in the hayloft during the holiday period to thank Julenissen.

On Christmas Day, many attend church before spending time quietly at home with family members. On Second Christmas Day, children celebrate julbukke by dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for goodies.

China

The story of Sun hou-kong, the Monkey King, is an ancient Chinese legend that tells an exciting tale of redemption and enlightenment. Sun hou-kong, a monkey raised by humans, became the Monkey King when he single-handedly defeated a horrible monster in his homeland. Then, the Monkey King acquired incredible powers when he cleverly uprooted a magic stick guarded by the Dragon King. With this magic stick and the ability to do just about anything, the Monkey King started to look for adventure and mischief. Buddha was not pleased with this abuse of power and decided to seal the Monkey King inside a mountain for eternity. The Monkey King quickly realized the error of his ways! Fortunately, a monk named Thang Seng believed in the Monkey King's redemption and asked Buddha to release him. The Monkey King was then asked to join Thang Seng on a journey to India to bring back Buddha's orginal teaching texts. The Monkey King proved to be a loyal comrade to Thang Seng. Like many holiday legends, this heartfelt story sends an important message of hope.

Germany

The German Yuletide season is a magical time when friends and family celebrate together! Many of the rich customs and traditions of the season have been adopted all over the world.

It was Germany who produced the first Tannenbaum (Christmas Tree). According to legend, while walking in the woods one snowy evening, Martin Luther was overcome by the beauty of the starlight sparkling on the fir trees. As the light from the heavens shone all around him, he was reminded of the star that shone on the night the Christkindl (Christ child) was born. He wanted to share this magic with his children, so he brought home a fir tree from the forest. He even fashioned a way to clip candles on the tree to make it look as though the branches were covered in glistening snow.

On Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), German parents secretly decorate the Tannenbaum with candies, nuts, glass baubles, and twinkling lights. A bell is rung, the Tannenbaum is presented, and the children race to open presents and snatch the goodies from the tree.

Italy

"Natale con I tuoi, Capo D'Anno con chi vuoi"

This old Italian verse truly expresses the strong feelings the Italian people have for the celebration of Christmas. It means, "You celebrate the new year with whomever you please, but Christmas only with your own." In fact, Christmas is often described as the warmest, most intimate Italian holiday because it is a special time when family members get together to enjoy age-old traditions. Children eagerly away the presents brought to them by a good-hearted witch called La Befana. She is the Christmas gift-giver who climbs down chimneys to fill good children's shoes with treats. Naughty children may find a lump of coal instead! Unlike Santa Claus, who appears on Christmas Eve, La Befana arrives on the eve of Epiphany (January 6). La Befana supposedly wanders the countryside looking for Gesu Bambino (baby Jesus) year after year, and leaves gifts just in case she finds him. On Christmas Eve, a ceremony takes place around teh Presepio, a nativity scene of Bethlehem. Then, after Midnight Mass, there is a cenone, which is a delicious feast of rich Italian food.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African-American harvest and community festival that has its roots in the civil rights era of the 1960s. It was founded as a way of reaffirming African-American identity, instilling knowledge and pride in African roots, and reinforcing bonds among members of the community.

Kwanzaa is devoted to seven priciples, known collectively as Nguzo Saba:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

Although it was first observed solely by African Americans, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by an estimated 18 million people in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Britain, India, and some African nations.

France

The magic of Christmas can be seen everywhere in France. The shops and baraques (booths) along the beautiful boulevards are brimming with toys, glittering lights, and Christmas decorations of every imaginable kind. Children eagerly await Le Pere Noel (Father Christmas), who will arrive on Christmas Eve to deliver wonderful presents. Most churches and homes have a beautiful nativity scene called the crecche, which is considered one of the most important symbols of Christmas to the French. Traditionally, candles are lit around the creche; sometimes a special Yule log is also burned on the fire. After families return from Christmas Mass, they enjoy a feast called Le Reveillon, which consists of ham, goose, oysters, salads, cheese, champagne, and Buche de Noel (a delicious cake in the shape of a Yule log). Children then set out shoes around the Christmas tree in great anticipation of Le Pere Noel who will fill them with all sorts of goodies!