The joys of working in an international team

In #GTFAAS in Grant Thornton Ireland we are a team of some 200+ members and have more then 19 countries represented.

 One of the biggest joys of working in an international team is that when there are events in the calender, our D&I committee share the varied experiences of our international team members.

 This week as we build up to Easter weekend in Ireland we got blogs each day sharing the Easter traditions of some of our team mates. We learnt about:

Portugal - and how they celebrate “Domingo de Ramos”, the Sunday seven days before Easter’s Sunday when it is the tradition for godchildren to offer bouquets to their godparents or liquorice almonds (a delicatessen). 

Brazil - Easter “Páscoa” starts on Good Friday what is called “Sexta-feira Santa” or “Sexta Feira da Paix?o”

Phillipines - after seven days of preparation comes Pasko ng Pagkabuhay (Easter Sunday)which is marked by celebration. Salubong is where statues of Jesus and Marymeet to commemorate the Apocyphal  

India - Although people do not decorate Easter eggs in India, they are well aware of the oldest tradition of the festival and hence, make it a point to purchase beautifully decorated Easter eggs and give them as presents for their children.

Poland – in Poland the four most important days for “Wielkanoc” are Wielki Czwartek (Great Thursday); Wielki Piatek (Good Friday); Wielka Sobota (Holy Saturday) and Wielkanoc (Easter Sunday)

Slovakia – the old tradition of men and boys splashing girls with water to evoke youth, strength and beauty for the upcoming spring season. Women loathe it and men love it

Pakistan – where Easter is not widely celebrated but this year the whole country will be celebrating Ramadan throughout Spring. Ramadan is a time of fasting, so that you can experience the pain of hunger and thirst that others experience. You also fast from the eyes, ears and mouth and intentionally see no; hear no or speak no evil

I have loved learning about the team’s traditions and brings the #faasfamily closer in these strange times when we are not working physically together and are also very conscious that many of our team mates are far from home. 

Thanks to Maryam and the D&I committee for the fab knowledge share this week and wherever you are or what your believes or who you celebrating with or thinking of I hope you all have a lovely holiday weekend.