Lifestyle Articles:

 Summer Traditions Around The World

By: Deeala Ahmed

Summer is different for everybody. Even though it is universally recognized as the 3-month period where school ends and vacation begins, people celebrate it differently. As we approach the end of the school year, and the beginning of Summer 2024, let's take a mini vacation around the world and explore summer traditions held in different countries.

Japan - Gion Matsuri (祇園祭)

Gion Matsuri is the most famous summer tradition in Japan. It takes place annually throughout the entire month of July in central Kyoto. The first ever Gion Matsuri celebration dates back to 869 CE. During this time period, there was a fatal epidemic spreading many diseases such as the plague, cholera and malaria, killing many people. The emperor, Emperor Seiwa, concluded that angry Japanese spirits, also known as goryō, were purposefully spreading the diseases around Kyoto as a way of vengeance. As a result, Emperor Seiwa hosted a ritual as an attempt to please these spirits. The ritual was named a goryo-e. They believed that, through prayers and appeasement, spirits would forgive the citizens of Kyoto and stop the epidemic. 66 hoko (spears), 66 long pikes, and 66 halberds were planted in the imperial garden on the 7th month and 6th day of the lunar calendar (July 6). There was one weapon for each of the 66 regions that made up the country at that time. Even though nobody knows the result of that ritual, it became an official tradition by 970 CE. During Gion Matsuri ceremonies, Japanese citizens wear colorful yukatas/kimonos and celebrate either around shrines, temples or in a whole parade. 

 During these parades, the participants watch various sightseeing's such as dancing, theatrical performances, and even sights of Japanese lanterns.

They eat yakitori (skewered chicken), fish-shaped takoyaki cookies, and okonomiyaki pancakes (also referred to as Japanese pizza). Most importantly, they celebrate the longevity of Kyoto and its citizens. 

Russia - White Nights of St.Petersburg (белые ночи)

White Nights of St. Petersburg consists of festivals that occur in St. Petersburg, Russia. The festival occurs between the dates June 11 to August 21. The term “white nights” refers to a phenomenon where the sun doesn’t set beneath the horizon, resulting in skies being bright throughout the entire day, even during its most caliginous hours. 

Even though white nights don’t occur frequently, they are most commonly found in temperate places of high latitudes, such as Finland, Iceland and Scandinavia. White nights occur most commonly in St. Petersburg, Russia, mainly because it is located near the Arctic Circle, which is impactful towards the summer solstice of St. Petersburg. The first White Nights Festival was celebrated in 1992. During this time, the festival received registration with an international organization called “International Federation of Festival Organizations” (FIDOF). During this time period, Anatoly Sobchak was the head of the festival; he was also mayor of St. Petersburg. In 2011, the White Nights festivals received international recognition as a Russian cultural event.

White Night Festivals are held to not only augment cultural exchanges between Russia and the rest of the world, but those festivals were also created to enhance Russia's image and promote it as a haven for the arts.

  Events at White Nights Festivals normally initiate with a performance of “Stars of the White Nights”, taking place at the Mariinsky Theatre. This production expertly combines Russian historical artworks with new movie premieres and contemporary pieces. Events at White Nights Festivals also consist of theatrical and musical performances such as ballet, classical music, and opera. Famous artists who are usually featured in those events include Placido Domingo, a Spanish singer and James Colon, an opera conductor from Los Angeles. Throughout the duration of the music festival, there are evening performances at both the Mariinsky Theatre and Mariinsky Concert Hall. One of the most anticipated parts of the White Nights Festivals is the “Scarlet Saints” celebration, which is a massive display of fireworks. Other important highlights include Scarlet Sails, which is a celebration of students, specifically those who are recent graduates of high school. Scarlet Sails events are celebrated on the Neva River, where a boat with red sails crosses the water, symbolizing students transitioning from teenagers to adulthood, wishing them a smooth voyage throughout adulthood. There are other happenings in White Nights festivals such as open-air concerts, carnivals, and other theatrical events.

Spain - La Tomantina

     La Tomantina is an annual food fight held in Buñol, Spain. It usually occurs around late August, and this year it will take place on August 28, 2024. It is said to be the biggest food fight in the world, as multiple participants are directed to throw tomatoes at each other. Each year, approximately 150,000 kg (around 330,693 lbs) of tomatoes are used every year during La Tomantina. Even though there isn’t an exact origin of La Tomantina, many legends about it exist and the most renowned and accepted legend about La Tomantina is the one in 1945, where an alleged street fight occurred near a spilled-over vegetable stand. Those involved in the fight began throwing tomatoes at each other and this is what embarked the long tradition of La Tomantina, the world's biggest food fight. Aside from throwing tomatoes at one another, people opt for events that embrace music, dancing, parades and fireworks throughout the week that La Tomantina occurs.

People approach the summer solstice in many ways. From embracing chaos as you’re aiming a tomato towards some Spanish civilian’s head, to watching a ballet performance in the Mariinsky Theatre, summer is a different picture painted by many people. Hopefully I get to see one of these events on your Summer 2024 Bucket List.

时光转瞬即逝，春天的气息格外浓郁，在人们平静的生活里，有人喜、有人悲、有人按部就班的生活、有人怀念那些逝去的亲人和曾经为中国奔波劳累的烈士。中华人民共和国成立于一九四九年，有数不胜数的烈士为中国而付出生命，而清明节也正是一个缅怀先烈和先祖的日子，以表达对先人的追思之情。

清明节作为中国 四大传统节日 之一，人们会在

当天去扫墓祭祖、烧包袱、做特色吃食。

在广东时，我的家人每逢清明节就会在早上与我去爬山祭拜先祖，为他们扫墓、摆放贡品、烧纸钱、以此来表达我们对先祖的思念, 并在晚餐时做白切鸡、火肉、之类的传统特色吃食来吃。此外，清明节还能让人们意识到了人生何其短暂，要学会感恩和珍惜眼前人，对父母多一份关爱和陪伴。每一个节日都有它存在的意义，即使通过时间推磨却仍保持至今日，就如同那些历史文物一样珍贵。而清明节就好像是天上的人为地下的人留的一个联系方式，互相慰问对方：“你近来过得可好？” 正所谓 “不遗忘即存在”，有了这条线，大家互相挂念，这又何尝不是一种陪伴。 

一个成功的国家不仅仅需要一个好的领导者，还需要一群为国家赴汤蹈火的烈士。他们为自己的祖国不计回报，不顾生命，只为一个太平盛世！在一九三七至一九四五年的中国抗日战争中，有三百多万中国人伤亡，而这仅仅只是一场战争；古往今来，战争数不胜数，现在中国的太平盛世都是烈士们用血和命为人民创造的，他们每一位都应该被人们铭记，“未惜头颅新故国，甘将热血沃中华。” 历史存在的意义是因为他们付出的努力不应该被遗忘，而在清明节这一天里，很多人会参观陵园、参加纪念活动、去纪念馆，给他们送花，为他们扫墓，以此来缅怀那些曾经为中国奉献的英雄。

但有些英雄永远 会刻在每一辈 人的记忆里，

历史永远不会 被遗忘，

只会被发掘 考古更多。

人生的终点并不是死亡，而是被遗忘。随着时间的一点一滴的流逝，一辈子好像是一瞬间，又好像是永恒, 因此，清明节让人们用不同的传统文化去表达对那些已逝的英雄和亲人的追思之情，铭记故人的付出，缅怀先烈。“你记得花，花就不会枯萎。你记得我，我就会一直在。” — 林徽因