Holidays in three different cultures
Countries havemany different traditional holidays, some of them can be similar to other cultures and some of them can be very specific from the region. We interviewed three students from London Language Institute who are from Korea, Brazil and Mexico, to find out how they celebrate their most important holidays during the year.
First, we conversed with Amine, she is from Puerto Alegre, Brazil. She told us that the most famous holiday for the Brazilian is the Carnaval, which is a great festival held forty-six days before Easter, and it takes place in many regions of the country but the most renowned place is Rio de Janeiro. Amine explained that the meaning of the Carnaval for her is to get all together and entertain the community. Usually people do not work during the celebration of this occasion; actually, people from Rio de Janeiro have ten non-working days. During the Carnaval there are parades with people dancing the whole time wearing various customs with bright colors and shinning accessories.
Tere is from Mexico, she is the second student we interviewed. She is from a region called Tampico, and she told us about different Mexican holidays, for instance “The day of the deads”. This day is celebrated on November 2nd and they commemorate their relatives that passed away. In order to remember this people, they make an altar with a picture of the dead person, candles, traditional purple flowers and usually cook the dish the relative liked. Also she mentioned important dates, Independence day and Revolution day, celebrated on September 16th and November 20th, respectively. On Independence day, they use folk dresses with the Guadalupe Virgin figure in it, they party that day and the President of Mexico gives a speech remembering the heroes who liberated the country.
Jieun and Leesy from SouthKorea, described the importance of the New Year’s day in their country. They said that holiday is a big celebration, where they usually have a family reunion and cook rice cake soup for everyone. On New Year’s day the old generations are honored by the younger generations, the young Korean people are given advises about what they should do to have a good life and they receive gifts from the older generation. After this, people eat the rice cake, soup and they believe a year is added to the age of everybody.
Holidays can be different from country to country, but the interesting thing is that holidays have their specific meaning and origin. Sometimes a Holiday like Christmas could be celebrated in many different countries, but every country has a particular way and activities to carry it out. We invite you to ask your classmates and friends in Canada how they celebrate their Holidays, you may be surprised.
By Valentina and Claudia
First, we conversed with Amine, she is from Puerto Alegre, Brazil. She told us that the most famous holiday for the Brazilian is the Carnaval, which is a great festival held forty-six days before Easter, and it takes place in many regions of the country but the most renowned place is Rio de Janeiro. Amine explained that the meaning of the Carnaval for her is to get all together and entertain the community. Usually people do not work during the celebration of this occasion; actually, people from Rio de Janeiro have ten non-working days. During the Carnaval there are parades with people dancing the whole time wearing various customs with bright colors and shinning accessories.
Tere is from Mexico, she is the second student we interviewed. She is from a region called Tampico, and she told us about different Mexican holidays, for instance “The day of the deads”. This day is celebrated on November 2nd and they commemorate their relatives that passed away. In order to remember this people, they make an altar with a picture of the dead person, candles, traditional purple flowers and usually cook the dish the relative liked. Also she mentioned important dates, Independence day and Revolution day, celebrated on September 16th and November 20th, respectively. On Independence day, they use folk dresses with the Guadalupe Virgin figure in it, they party that day and the President of Mexico gives a speech remembering the heroes who liberated the country.
Jieun and Leesy from SouthKorea, described the importance of the New Year’s day in their country. They said that holiday is a big celebration, where they usually have a family reunion and cook rice cake soup for everyone. On New Year’s day the old generations are honored by the younger generations, the young Korean people are given advises about what they should do to have a good life and they receive gifts from the older generation. After this, people eat the rice cake, soup and they believe a year is added to the age of everybody.
Holidays can be different from country to country, but the interesting thing is that holidays have their specific meaning and origin. Sometimes a Holiday like Christmas could be celebrated in many different countries, but every country has a particular way and activities to carry it out. We invite you to ask your classmates and friends in Canada how they celebrate their Holidays, you may be surprised.
By Valentina and Claudia