CultureWizard Viewpoint: September Edition
The European Day of Languages Promotes Multilingualism and Multiculturalism
September 26th is the European Day of Languages, where the Council of Europe and the European Commission celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures across the continent. Europe is home to?24 official languages, while as many as 200 languages are spoken across the continent.?
According to the European Union, 3 out of 5 European adults can converse in more than one language. This isn’t just a flex for Europeans to tout, but a core value in the collective European Union bodies. Research indicates that those who speak more than one language are more likely to value cultural diversity, and engage in higher critical thinking when faced with different cultural values, beliefs, and practices.?
East Asian Cultures Gather for the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on September 17th this year in countries across East Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.
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In Vietnam, the festival is known as T?t Trung Thu, or Children’s Festival. In Taiwan, people celebrate with a moonlit barbeque on the streets. Chinese diaspora world-wide gather with their families under the full moon for a picnic of tea and a round, dense pastry with thick fillings called a mooncake. The mooncake filling varies depending on region and tastebuds: Japanese-style sweet red bean filling, Cantonese-style salted egg yolk and lotus seed paste, or Shanghainese-style ground pork. The gifting of mooncakes to family members symbolise family reunion and unity.
New Year Celebrations for Ethiopia and Eritrea
Enkutatash,, the Ethiopian and Eritean New Year, is on September 11th. The name “Enkutatash” translates to “Gift of Jewels” and refers to a biblical story of Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon. The tale and the day it is named after symbolise new beginnings.
Many people dress in traditional white clothing, attend religious ceremonies, and offer prayers of gratitude. The meskel flower, a bright yellow flower, will often be seen represented during this time of year. Families gather to eat traditional foods, including a spicy chicken stew called doro wot, a spongy flatbread called injera, and ga’at, a type of grain porridge. Children sing songs and are given gifts in exchange for hand-made paper flowers or cards with well-wishes.
Guiding Globalistas Across Language & Culture Barriers
5 个月In the U.S., Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th. Hispanic leaders picked this date because many Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain on or near that date. Many American cities host concerts, parades, races, festivals, and art exhibits this month. Award shows also honor the accomplishments of Latinas and Latinos and their contributions to the nation’s history.