Christmas is almost here, dear friends of Let's Blog! Are you ready to celebrate with us? Here our first article in the festive mood. I hope you'll like it!
CAVALCADE OF LIGHTS, TORONTO
In the wonder of Toronto's
winter, the annual Cavalcade of Lights officially opens Christmas holidays. The
first Cavalcade took place in 1967 to showcase Nathan Phillips Square and the
new Toronto City Hall, both recently completed. The square and the Christmas
tree are lit by more than 300,000 low-power LEDs that shine from sunset to
11.00pm until New Year's. Furthermore, you can watch spectacular fireworks and
try your hand at ice skating outdoors.
If you can take the first
flight and go to enjoy this show, it's worth it!
LIGHTING OF MENORAH, WASHINGTON
The Jewish holiday of
Chanukkah is celebrated with great pomp in every part of the United States, but
perhaps the most elaborate event takes place in the capital. Since 1979, a
giant 9-meter Menorah has been erected on the grounds of the White House for
the eight days and eight nights of the Chanukkah. The ceremony in Washington,
D.C. includes speeches, music, activities for children and, of course, the
turning on of the Menorah.The ignition of the first candle in the White House
takes place at 4 pm, regardless of weather conditions, while another candle
lights up the following night. The event is free, but tickets must be reserved
in advance.
JÓLASVEINAR, ICELAND
In the 13 days before
Christmas, 13 light-hearted characters similar to trolls come out into the open
in Iceland. The friendly Jólasveinar, recognizable by the traditional Icelandic
costume they wear, visit children in the 13 nights preceding Christmas. Every
night of Yule's party, the children leave their finest shoes at the window and,
each night, a different Jólasveinar leaves gifts to good children and rotten
potatoes to bad ones. The names of these characters recall the type of problem
that they can cause: Stekkjastaur (fence post, meaning the one who torments the
sheep), Giljagaur (the one who fixes the canals), Stúfur (Tozzo), Þvörusleikir
(the one who licks the spoon) , Pottaskefill (Scratching pots), Askasleikir
(The one who licks the bowls), Hurðaskellir (The one who slams the doors),
Skyrgámur (Cheesy gourd), Bjúgnakrækir (He who steals sausages), Gluggagægir
(He who spies from the windows) , Gáttaþefur (The one who smells the slits of
the doors), Ketkrókur (Uncina-carne) and Kertasníkir (The one who steals the
candles). This Christmas, visit Iceland and see them all!
GÄVLE GOAT, SWEDEN
Since 1966, a 13-meter high
Yule Goat has been built every year in the center of the Gävle Castle Square
for Advent. However, this Swedish Christmas tradition unconsciously gave birth
to another "custom": the spectators try to burn the goat. Since 1966,
the Capra has been successfully burned 29 times: the most recent destruction
occurred in 2016.If you want to follow the fate of the Goat from the moment it
is erected on December 1st, you can monitor it on the Visit Gävle website via a
live streaming video.
GIANT LANTERNS, PHILIPPINES
The Giant Lantern Festival
(Ligligan Parul Sampernandu) is held every year on the Saturday before
Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando, the "Capital of Christmas in
the Philippines". The festival attracts spectators from all over the
world. Eleven baranggays (villages) participate in the Festival making a fierce
competition to build the most elaborate lantern. Originally, the lanterns were
simple creations with a diameter of about 60 centimeters, made in "papel
de hapon" (Japanese origami paper) and lit with a candle. Today, the
lanterns are constructed of various materials and have expanded to reach 6
meters in width. They are illuminated with electric bulbs that shine creating
kaleidoscopic patterns.
This is by far my favourite and
I hope one day to see this wonderful show live! What is your favourite out of
these 5 above? Do you have any bizarre Christmas tradition? I'll be waiting for your comments!
ELISA C.
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