Christmas Celebrations around the globe
Thursday, 22 December 2011 00:00
Christmas is being celebrated differently around the world; it varies by country and region. However, everywhere there are elements similar around the world, such as lighting the Christmas trees, Christmas stockings, Christmas candles and Christmas carols. Sending Christmas cards, exchanging Christmas greetings and giving and receiving Christmas presents are widely spread.
To bring Christmas a bit closer to all expats staying in Amsterdam during the holiday season, we asked Mrs. Frieda Kruiderink from Ponte Cultura, if she can tell us more about Christmas Celebrations around the globe. Frieda is a great resource for expats in executive corporate positions throughout the Netherlands. She provides individuals insight in cultural intelligence and gives international companies and organizations a deeper understanding of corporate culture.
China
In the mainland of China only approx. 1% of the people are Christians, so people only know a few things about Christmas. December 25th is not an official holiday. However, it is in Hong Kong and Macau (former colonies of Western countries with a Christian heritage) . Many customs like sending Christmas cards, gifts, hanging stockings, commercial Christmas decorations have become more important
in large urban centers of the mainland China. In China, Santa is known as the Old Christmas Man. Not everybody has a Christmas tree or celebrate Christmas at all. If people have a tree it is usually a plastic one and will be decorated with paper flowers and paper lanterns.
Ethiopia
Christmas is celebrated in January. Christmas Eve is on January 6th and Christmas on January 7th. Christmas is called Ganna. Christian priests carry out a procession through the streets and it will finally end at the church where a Christmas mass is held. Then on the Christmas morning, people will open presents. Usually the more wealthy people will share food with the poor people.
Melkam Gena!
Russia
Christmas was not really celebrated during the Soviet Union period. New Year was more important. Father Frost gave presents to the children. Now after the Communist era, Christmas is openly celebrated. Some people celebrate this on the 24th December but more on January 7th since the Russian Orthodox church is using the Julian calendar.
Pozdravijayu s Novym Godom I s Rozhdestvom!
Japan
Christmas in Japan is basically a commercial event , which came from the U.S.A. Christmas trees are popular, people have Christmas parties and eating the Christmas cake. Christmas celebrations take part on the Christmas Eve. Also this evening has become a romantic occasion for couples having dinner at a fancy restaurant. Christmas is more important for young people during which they will receive presents. The most important and celebrated event is New Year – O-Shogatsu -. On the 1st January people will dress up and go to the temple to pray. There is also a temple market were people can buy traditional food, toys and buy a Daruma. This is a papier-mâché figure that comes in different sizes with 2 big white eye spots. Daruma is used for making New Year’s resolutions. While making a wish, one blackens the eye spot. If during the year the wish came true, you blacken the other eye.
Kurisumasu Omedeto!
Czech Republic
The main celebrations are on Christmas Eve. During that evening gifts are given. Little Jesus brings presents during dinner and leaves them under the Christmas tree. Children have to wait for the ringing of a Christmas bell, a sign that little Jesus just passed by. Some people fast during Christmas Eve in the hope that they will see the “golden pig” which brings them luck.
The 25th and 26th December are public holidays.
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok.
We wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year.
With kind regards,
Frieda Kruiderink & Judith Huizing
