Wednesday, 18 December 2019

THE 5 MOST BIZARRE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN THE WORLD



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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