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TRADITIONS
Every country has their own traditions. Not all traditions are as much fun for every age. However, traditions change all the time and these days our old traditions are influenced by all other countries.
Especially America, which is the biggest influence on the rest of the world. Maybe you noticed, that a lot of American traditions are ‘taking over’ Europe. This year almost all European countries celebrated black Friday. Also, Halloween and Valentine’s Day have been celebrated in Europe for quite a while now. But are these traditions even American? All of the American traditions are originally founded in Europe. For example, Valentine’s Day is based on a story of a Roman priest and Halloween was founded in Ireland. In the 16th century, part of the European civilization went to America and took their own traditions with them. And of course, these traditions changed a lot, but the origin is still European. But after the traditions went to America and were ‘taken over’ by them, they got celebrated less in Europe. For example, in Spain, the American traditions are rising and being exuberant while local traditions are still being celebrated mostly by older people. But what will happen when these people will be gone? Will the American traditions take over fully? A kind of extreme solution, which a lot of countries won’t be willing to take, would be to isolate the whole country from the rest of the world… That means controlling social media (like North-Korea does) and closing the borders. But we think this is a bad idea.
Moreover, some traditions are also a little outdated which makes them less appealing to the youth. We have looked for international traditions that we think appeal to the youth, because we have different nationalities in this project. In our opinion, New Year’s Eve appeals to the youth, because of the fireworks, which are popular with young people, and having fun together. Christmas is also very enjoyable for the youth. People celebrate it everywhere, but everyone celebrates it differently. But most of the people like it because of the food and some people also for the presents. Most people enjoy singing Christmas songs. Three Kings, on the other hand, does not appeal to the youth, because we think it is more for younger kids. They are going around the houses to sing and ask for candy. We do not think that Three Kings is meant for our age. We did an interview about traditions with the Erasmus students. We think some traditions just do not fit in the culture of these days. But we also think the internet is a big factor to let people think about these national traditions. People might get the feeling that their traditions are strange. For example, in Germany they do “Kletzei gehen”, which is a tradition where they go from house to house, sing and get a present before Christmas. But nowadays they are afraid to be filmed and to be end up on the internet, which will lead other countries to think bad about Germany.
To conclude, traditions are important to identify your country, which would get harder if all traditions were the same. Because American traditions are taking over the European ones. A big problem of regional or national traditions is that they are getting less important for the youth. But we think that traditions like Christmas and New Year’s Eve are more fun for the youth.
GERMANS
Christmas: The Germans like Christmas because of the presents and going to church. They also think that Christmas appeals to the youth.
New Year’s Eve: The Germans also like New Year’s Eve because of the fireworks and the parties. “you can do anything because you stay up longer”, one of them said. They also think it is appealing to the youth.
Three kings: Three kings do not really appeal to Germans because they don’t know the tradition that well. They think that when people do celebrate it, it would be more for younger children than for teenagers.
DANISH
Christmas: The Danish enjoy Christmas because of the presents and that you celebrate it with family. They have a nice time with Christmas. They also think it will appeal to the youth.
New Year’s Eve: The Danish like to party with friends with New Year’s Eve. They like this tradition because it makes them happy. The Danish think New Year’s Eve is also appealing to the youth.
Three kings: The Danish don’t know Three kings.
SPANISH
Christmas: Santa Claus is very new for the Spanish, but they really like it. They enjoy getting together with family and eating food. They also like getting presents. “Christmas is a tradition for everyone so also the youth”, She told us.
New Year’s Eve: The Spanish eat twelve grapes with new year to represent twelve o’clock. This is their tradition with new year. They really like this tradition and think it will appeal to the youth.
Three kings: In Spain they celebrate Three kings a lot more than in other countries. It’s a bit like Santa Claus for them; they get presents. They now celebrate both Christmas and Three kings. They really like this feast and think this appeals to the youth.
ITALIAN
Christmas: The Italians like Christmas because of the presents and that they get to stay at home, and everyone is happy. They say that youth will like this tradition.
New Year’s Eve: "I really like the petardi (firecrackers)”one of the Italians said. Waiting for the new year this way really appeals to them and they think it will appeal to the youth too.
Three kings: With three kings the Italians have a big bonfire and eat candy. They think this will appeal to the youth because they like it too.
FRENCH
Christmas: The French like Christmas because it brings everyone together. They also think this tradition appeals to the youth.
New Year’s Eve: Making new year resolutions makes New Year’s Eve a tradition for the youth. The French also really like fireworks.
Three kings: The French don’t know Three kings that well, but they think it is more for younger children: it is not meant for the youth.
DUTCH
Christmas: When everyone is together it is very nice together and everyone is happy. The Dutch really like that Christmas brings everyone together. They think that Christmas appeals to the youth.
New Year’s Eve: With New Year’s Eve the Dutch have firework and eat Oliebollen. They really like this tradition because it is cozy and everyone is together and happy. That’s why they think the youth will like it too.
Three kings: The Dutch don’t really like Three kings because it is meant for younger children and they don’t see the point of it. They don’t think it’s appealing to the youth.
We asked 52 students from the Erasmus project for their favourite tradition. These are the results:
Poem written by the E+ students
Christmas Eve is on its way
The most celebrated holiday
Everyone is together and excited
Because the whole family is united
Presents laying under the pine
‘This one’s yours and that one’s mine’
Kids are eager to see what they got
It’s always a surprise what Santa has brought
Spending time with your family and friends
You just hope that it never ends
Everyone’s sad that they have to leave
But a few days later they can celebrate New Year’s Eve
Playing games and fireworks in the sky
At night we’ll say to 2019 goodbye
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