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Speaker 1
Hey, Gemini.
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Speaker 2
Hey, there. What can I do for you today?
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Speaker 1
I'm recording this conversation and intend to post it on the internet. Is that cool?
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Speaker 2
Sure. No problem. Just be sure to let people know that you're using Gemini in the post.
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Speaker 1
Okay, I think they understand. So my question today is all the different holidays that happen around Christmas time.
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Speaker 2
There are a bunch of different holidays and celebrations around Christmas time. Some are religious, some are cultural, and some are just plain fun. Here's a breakdown. First, there's Christmas itself. It's a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. A lot of people give gifts, decorate trees, and have big meals with family and friends. Then there's Hanukkah, which is the Jewish festival of life.
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Speaker 2
It celebrates a time when the Jewish people recaptured their temple and wanted to light the menorah, but only had enough oil for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight nights. Another one is Kwanzaa. It's a pretty new holiday that celebrates African-American heritage and culture. Families get together to light candles, have big feasts, and exchange gifts. There's also Yule, which is an old winter holiday that celebrates the return of the sun after the shortest day of the year.
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Speaker 2
People used to have big bonfires and parties to welcome the longer days. And last off there's New Year's Eve, which is all about ringing in the new year with parties, fireworks and making resolutions for the next year. Let me know if you want to hear about any other holiday traditions.
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Speaker 1
Can we go through each of those a little bit?
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Speaker 2
Sure thing. Let's start with Christmas. Do you want to hear about its history, how it's celebrated or something else?
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Speaker 1
Just give me a brief history at Christmas. We know a lot about it.
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Speaker 2
All right, so the whole origin of Christmas is a bit complicated, with some part being religious and some not so much the actual date of Jesus birth isn't known for sure, but way back in the fourth century, the Catholic Church decided to celebrate it on December 25th. That's because there were already some big pagan festivals happening around that time, like the Roman Saturnalia.
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Speaker 2
So the thinking was that if they put Christmas right around, then more people might start celebrating it over the next few centuries. Christmas slowly became more popular with traditions like decorating trees and giving gifts becoming more common. It wasn't always a big deal, though. Sometimes it was even banned in places like England and parts of America. But eventually, Christmas became the huge celebration we know today.
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Speaker 1
Christmas is banned.
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Speaker 2
Yeah. That's right. There was a time when the Puritans in England and America banned Christmas. They thought of it as a waste of time and even considered it sinful. Kind of crazy to think about,
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Speaker 1
Can you tell me a little bit more about that?
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Speaker 2
All right, so the Puritans were a pretty strict bunch when it came to religion. They didn't like a lot of the fancy stuff that went on in the Church of England, and they definitely didn't like how Christmas was celebrated. They thought of it as a waste of time and even considered it sinful. So when they came to power in England, they banned Christmas outright.
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Speaker 2
No decorations, no parties, no presents. Nothing. People weren't too happy about it, but they kind of had to go along with it. When some of the Puritans came over to America and started their own colonies, they brought the Christmas ban with them. It lasted for a while over there, too, but people eventually started ignoring the rules and celebrating Christmas anyway.
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Speaker 1
Okay, let's go to the next one. What's the next holiday? Hanukkah.
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Speaker 2
Hanukkah is a bit different from Christmas. It's a Jewish holiday that celebrates a really important event in their history. You see, way back when the Jewish people had their temple taken over by some really bad guys, but a bunch of brave Jewish fighters called the Maccabees fought back in one when they went to rededicate the temple. They only had enough special oil to light the menorah for one night.
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Speaker 2
But guess what? That tiny bit of oil lasted for eight whole night. Hanukkah celebrates that miracle. The way people celebrate is by lighting the menorah one candle each night for eight nights. They also play games, eat yummy fried foods, and give gifts of money to kids.
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Speaker 1
Okay, give me a little bit more detail about that history.
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Speaker 2
All right, so picture this. It's way back in the second century BC, and the Jewish people are living under the rule of a really named king named Antiochus. This guy didn't like the Jewish religion at all. And he tried to force everyone to worship Greek gods instead. Can you believe that? Anyway, a whole bunch of Jewish people weren't having it, so they started a rebellion led by a guy named Judah Maccabee.
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Speaker 2
After a whole lot of fighting, they finally won and took back their temple in Jerusalem. But here's the thing. The temple was all messed up from the fighting. They wanted to rededicate it right away, but they only had enough special oil to keep the menorah lit for one night. That's where the miracle part comes in. Somehow that little bit of oil lasted for eight homemade.
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Speaker 1
Okay, what's the, next one? Kwanzaa.
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Speaker 2
Kwanzaa was a lot different from Christmas and Hanukkah. It's a pretty new holiday. Actually, it started in 1966. The whole point is to celebrate African-American heritage and culture. Families get together to light candles on a special candle holder called a kinara. Each candle stands for a different principle, like unity, self-determination, and faith. They also have big feasts, and kids get gifts that highlight African-American culture.
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Speaker 1
Sorry I lost you there for a second.
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Speaker 2
Sure thing. One does a pretty new holiday started in 1966. It's all about celebrating African-American heritage and culture. Families get together for feasts. Light candles on a special candle holder and give gifts that highlight African-American culture.
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Speaker 1
Where did it start?
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Speaker 2
Kwanzaa was actually created in the 1960s by a guy named Maulana Karenga. He wanted to create a holiday that focused on celebrating African-American heritage and culture. The very first Kwanzaa was celebrated in Los Angeles, California.
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Speaker 1
Cool. What are some things, you do on Kwanzaa?
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Speaker 2
There are a few special things families do for Kwanzaa. They start each day lighting one of the candles on the kinara, which is that special candle holder I mentioned. Each candle has a different color and meaning, like red for unity or green for hope. They also have a big feast called Karamu, where they share traditional African-American foods and talk about the past year.
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Speaker 2
Another important part is also do Maori, which is when kids get gifts that celebrate African-American history and culture.
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Speaker 1
Okay. What's, another winter holiday?
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Speaker 2
Another cool winter holiday is called Europe. It's actually one of the oldest winter celebrations out there. Way older than Christmas. Back in the day, people thought the sun was dying during the winter. So you was all about celebrating it, coming back to life. They'd have big bonfires, decorate with evergreen trees just like Christmas, and feast until their hearts were content.
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Speaker 1
Is that a pagan holiday?
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Speaker 2
Yeah, you definitely has its roots in pagan celebrations. The whole idea of celebrating the return of the sun is something those old religions were really into. Some of the traditions from back then, like decorating trees and having big feasts, are still part of how we celebrate the winter holidays today.
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Speaker 1
Okay, can you go into the detailed history of you and its origins?
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Speaker 2
All right. So the history of you will get kind of blurry the farther back you go. It's one of those celebrations that's been around for centuries. So a lot of the details get mixed up with myths and legends. But we do know that the basic idea is really old. Way back in the day, people in Northern Europe relied on the sun for everything.
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Speaker 2
Growing food, warmth, that kind of stuff. So when the days got shorter and shorter, they got really worried. They thought the sun was dying and that things were going to get really bad. You know, it was their way of trying to bring the sun back. They'd have huge bonfires, sometimes even burn whole logs in the hearth and party like crazy.
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Speaker 2
The idea was that the bigger and wilder the celebration, the happier the sun would be, and the sooner it would start coming back. Evergreens were a big part of it too, since they stayed green all winter. People thought they had special powers and could help bring back the life and light.
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Speaker 1
And what cultures celebrated this in Northern Europe?
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Speaker 2
It was really the Germanic people who celebrated you in a big way. They lived in what is now Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and those areas. Their traditions were some of the strongest, focusing on things like the Yule log, which was supposed to bring good luck and warmth for the whole year.
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Speaker 1
What about, Eastern Europe?
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Speaker 2
What about what?
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Speaker 1
Or Asia?
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Speaker 2
You wasn't really celebrated in Eastern Europe or Asia. It was more of a thing in Northern Europe, especially with the Germanic people. There were some similar winter festivals in other parts of the world, but they had different names and traditions. For example, in some Slavic cultures they celebrated a holiday called caroling, which had some things in common with you, but also some unique traditions.
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Speaker 1
Okay, can you go into that one in detail?
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Speaker 2
All right, so caroling was a Slavic celebration, and it was pretty widespread. The traditions varied a bit from place to place, but there were some big similarities, like you. It was all about celebrating the winter solstice, that shortest day of the year. People would have big feasts, decorate their homes with evergreens, and go caroling. Kind of like Christmas caroling, but with different songs.
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Speaker 2
They also believed that spirits were extra active around this time. So there were a lot of rituals and superstitions meant to keep those spirits happy.
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Speaker 1
Can you tell me about some of the spirits?
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Speaker 2
Definitely. Slavic mythology has a whole bunch of different spirits, some friendly, some not so much. During caroling time, people were especially worried about the spirits called dutty. They were basically the spirits of dead ancestors, and some people thought they could be kind of mischievous if they weren't kept happy. Another one was called Zima. Now Zima was the spirit of winter itself.
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Speaker 2
People both respected and feared Zima. They leave out special treats to try to keep it from getting too angry and making the winter extra harsh.
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Speaker 1
What about, China and that area? China? Japan? I know that they, they don't really celebrate Christmas and stuff like that, like in Buddhism, but, what kind of winter celebrations do we see throughout history?
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Speaker 2
China and Japan have some really interesting winter traditions, but they're a bit different from the holidays we've been talking about in China. They celebrate a holiday called the Spring Festival, which lines up with our New Year's. It's a super big deal over there with lots of red decorations, fireworks and special foods. It's all about welcoming the New Year and leaving the old one behind.
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Speaker 2
Japan also celebrates New Year's and they have some unique customs. They visit shrines, eat special noodles, and send out New Year's cards. There's also a cool tradition called hat, the mode where people go to the temple first thing on New Year's Day to pray for good luck in the coming year.
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Speaker 1
Their calendar is a little bit different though, right?
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Speaker 2
That's right. Both China and Japan use lunar calendars, which means their holidays fall on different dates than what we're used to with the Gregorian calendar. So the timing can be a little tricky to figure out sometimes.
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Speaker 1
Tell me about, familiarized me with the the lunar calendar that China and Japan use.
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Speaker 2
All right. So the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, not the sun, like our regular calendar. It has 12 month, just like the Gregorian calendar. The months are shorter, and there's an extra month sometimes to keep everything lined up with the moon's phases. The Chinese and Japanese lunar calendars are really similar, but there are some slight differences.
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Speaker 2
For example, the years are named differently and there are some variations in how they track time.
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Speaker 1
And so when is the modern, like Chinese New Year celebrated?
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Speaker 2
The modern Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, usually falls sometime between late January and mid-February on the Gregorian calendar. It's based on the lunar calendar. So the exact date changes every year. Are you curious about something else about Chinese New Year?
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Speaker 1
I never knew that it changed every year. Like, I don't know, like Thanksgiving?
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Speaker 2
Yeah, it's kind of cool how it works. It's based on the phases of the moon, so the timing changes a little bit each year. It's similar to how Easter changes dates, since that's also based on the lunar calendar.
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Speaker 1
Tell me how it is determined each year. Specifically.
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Speaker 2
All right, so Chinese New Year is a huge deal, and there's a bunch of special traditions and celebrations that go with it. First up, there's a lot of cleaning families do a super thorough cleaning of their homes to wash away any bad luck from the old year. It's also common to decorate with red stuff, since red is a super lucky color in Chinese culture.
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Speaker 2
You'll see red lanterns, red banners, and lots of red decorations everywhere. Another big part of the celebration is food. There are tons of special dishes that people eat like dumplings and noodles. They all have special meaning, like good luck and long life and laughter. There's a lot of visiting with family and friends. People go to each other's homes, give gifts, and just enjoy spending time together.
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Speaker 1
Sounds nice.
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Speaker 2
So do you want to hear about some other winter holidays, or would you rather focus on one of the ones we've already talked about?
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Speaker 1
Real quick, I want you to describe how the day for Chinese New Year is determined more than just like, oh, it's based on the lunar calendar, like it's on a full moon or whatever.
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Speaker 2
It's a little more complicated than just looking for a full moon. The Chinese calendar is based on a 19 year cycle, where they try to keep things lined up with both the sun and the moon. They have these special months that can be added in to make sure everything stays on track. So it's not just about the moon phase, but also about making sure the whole calendar stays accurate over a long period of time.
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Speaker 1
Okay. Just briefly, can you if I needed to do it as a eight year old and you were like, hey, tell me when Chinese New Year is this year. And I had a lunar calendar in front of me. How would you describe how to do it?
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Speaker 2
All right, so imagine the lunar calendar is like a special kind of ruler for the moon. See those little pictures of the moon? Some are dark, some are light. Right? Well, those show you where the moon is in its cycle. Now, Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and it's marked on your calendar too.
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Speaker 2
So you'd find the winter solstice, then count two new moons after that. Ta-Da! That's when you celebrate.
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Speaker 1
So it's the second new moon after the solstice.
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Speaker 2
Yep. That's right. You find the winter solstice on the lunar calendar, then count two new moons. After that, the day of the second new moon is when you celebrate Chinese New Year.
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Speaker 1
Okay, that's pretty cool.
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Speaker 2
Who do you want to hear about some other winter holidays? Or would you rather focus on one of the ones we've already talked about?
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Speaker 1
Okay, so since the poles are like it's summer in the southern hemisphere now and it's winter up here, then that obviously changes winter holidays for the southern hemisphere year. Can you tell me a little bit about what kind of celebrations happen, around this time of year in the Southern hemisphere?
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Speaker 1
Gemini. You there?
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Speaker 2
I'm here. What's up?
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Speaker 1
Did you catch my last question?
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Speaker 2
Yeah I did. You asked if you wanted to hear about other winter holidays or learn more about one we've already covered, which sounds more interesting.
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Speaker 1
I actually asked about how the Southern hemisphere handles holidays around this season. How do they. They're obviously different.
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Speaker 2
That's a great question. It's true the southern hemisphere has opposite seasons compared to the northern hemisphere. So while we're getting ready for winter up here, they're gearing up for summer down there. Because of that, they don't really celebrate the same holidays at the same time. For instance, while we're celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah, folks in places like Australia and New Zealand are celebrating summer holidays and getting ready for beach days.
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Speaker 1
Okay, can you kind of dive into what places like Australia and Africa, Southern Africa, South America, are and like India are doing during this season?
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Speaker 2
Sure thing. Let's start with Australia and New Zealand since they're in the southern hemisphere. Their seasons are opposite ours. So while we're getting ready for winter, they're gearing up for summer. That means beach days, outdoor BBQs, and lots of time enjoying the warm weather. Now, Africa is a big place with lots of different climates. In South Africa they also have summer around now.
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Speaker 2
You'll find people heading to the coast or going on safari, but if you go further north and Africa, you might find countries getting ready for their rainy seasons. Over in South America, it's a mix. Two countries, like Brazil are definitely in their summer mode with big festivals and outdoor activities. But if you go further south in places like Argentina, you'll start seeing some wintry weather and different celebrations.
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Speaker 2
And then there's India. They actually have a holiday called Lohri around this time, which celebrates the harvest season and welcomes longer days. It's a pretty fun one with bonfires, dancing and special sweet.
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Speaker 1
Okay, for each of those four, actually, let's start with the first one. Can you give me an idea of the holidays that Australia and New Zealand are celebrating right now?
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Speaker 2
Australia and New Zealand don't have specific religious holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah, since most people there aren't Christian or Jewish. Instead, they celebrate the fact that it's summer. You could call this a cultural holiday. They have lots of outdoor festivals, beach parties, and everyone's generally in a really relaxed, happy mood.
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Speaker 1
I mean, there's got to be some kind of holidays besides New Year's. Like specific cultural holidays that they're celebrating right now or like at least in the next month or so.
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Speaker 2
Australia and New Zealand have a lot of cool outdoor festivals happening in the next month or so. There's the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia, which has everything from comedy to theater to music. And in New Zealand, you've got the Rhythm and Vines Music Festival, which is pretty popular. You can always check out the specific websites for Australia and New Zealand to see what events are happening in the cities you're interested in.
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Speaker 1
What kind of days off do they give in schools in December?
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Speaker 2
In Australia and New Zealand, the school year usually ends in December, so most kids will be on summer holidays for the whole month. They might have some special events or parties at school before they break up for the holidays.
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Speaker 1
When is summer vacation down there specifically?
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Speaker 2
Some are vacation in Australia and New Zealand. Usually starts in December and goes through February. It lines up with their hottest month, so it's perfect timing to enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities.
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Speaker 1
Okay, if I was in fifth grade, when would I have gotten out this year and when would I be getting back in?
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Speaker 2
If you were in fifth grade in Australia or New Zealand this year, you would have finished up the school year sometime in mid December. You'll likely head back to school sometime in late January or early February of next year.
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Speaker 1
So I don't have any specific holidays in December.
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Speaker 2
That's right. Australia and New Zealand don't have any specific religious holidays in December like we do. It's more about enjoying the summer weather and having fun with friends and family.
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Speaker 1
What about January?
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Speaker 2
Australia and New Zealand celebrate Australia Day on January 26th. It's a pretty big deal. Kind of like their Independence Day. There are parades, barbecues and lots of community events.
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Speaker 1
What is that? Based off that January 26th.
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Speaker 2
Australia Day is a pretty big deal and there's a bit of history behind it. It's a national holiday that marks the anniversary of the First fleet of British ships arriving in Australia back in 1788. It's a day to celebrate the country's culture, history and achievements. There are tons of events like parades, live music and barbecues. It's a super festive time for everyone.
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Speaker 1
Is it, how does that how does the Aboriginal, population of Australia?
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Speaker 2
That's a really important point. While Australia Day celebrates. That's a really important point, and it's one that many Australians feel very strongly about. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, January 26th is a day of mourning as it marks the beginning of colonization and the dispossession of their land. There's been a growing movement in recent years to change the date of Australia Day to one that's more inclusive and representative of the country's diverse history.
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Speaker 1
Okay, let's talk about Africa in the same time period, what kind of holidays they got going on? I know it's a big place, but maybe give me some, details of the different areas.
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Speaker 2
Africa is a huge and super diverse place, so it's hard to paint a picture of the whole continent. The holidays they celebrate depend heavily on what part of Africa you're talking about. In places with a lot of European influence, like South Africa and some parts of West Africa, you'll find celebrations similar to Christmas and New Year's. But in many other parts of the continent they have their own unique traditions tied to the seasons or important cultural events.
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Speaker 2
For example, in some parts of East Africa, December marks the start of the rainy season. This is a time for celebration and thanks for the rain that will help the crops grow. In West Africa, there are festivals focused on community and drumming that happen around this time. Would you like to focus on a specific region of Africa?
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Speaker 1
Can you give me, like, a little sprinkle of variety, the different holidays that are being celebrated around Africa? At this time?
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Speaker 2
Absolutely. There's a huge amount of variety across the African continent when it comes to December celebrations in southern Africa. You've got places like South Africa celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve. Similar to what we do here, but they also have unique festivals like the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a huge, colorful street party. Meanwhile, in East Africa, countries like Kenya and Tanzania celebrate Christmas alongside their own cultural traditions.
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Speaker 2
You might find festivals focused on harvest and thanksgiving reflecting the importance of agriculture in the region. West Africa has a strong tradition of community festivals and celebrations focused on music and dance. December is a great time to experience these vibrant events, and if you're interested in Northern Africa, countries like Egypt and Morocco have their own custom, often with a focus on family and religious observances.
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Speaker 1
Okay, let's shift to India.
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Speaker 2
All right. Sounds good. Where would you like to go next?
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Speaker 1
Let's go to India.
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Speaker 2
India has a rich tapestry of festivals and holidays. And December is a particularly interesting time of year there. It's a bridge between the end of the fall harvest season and the beginning of winter. Some of the major festivals celebrated in December include Mowgli, which is a Punjabi harvest festival with bonfires and folk songs. There's also Makar Sankranti, which marks the start of the sun's journey north and is celebrated across India with kite flying and feast.
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Speaker 2
Would you like to hear about any other Indian festivals or dive deeper into one of these?
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Speaker 1
Can you dive deeper into the second one? I can't remember what it was called.
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Speaker 2
All right, so the festival I was telling you about is called Makar Sankranti. It's a pretty big deal across India, and it marks the start of the sun's journey north. People think this change brings good luck and the promise of a Bountiful harvest. One of the coolest traditions during Makar Sankranti is flying kites. The skies are absolutely filled with them all different colors and shapes.
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Speaker 2
There are even competitions to see whose kite can outlast the others.
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Speaker 1
Can you give me 800 words on how why kites?
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Speaker 2
Okay, I can help you with that. But I'm not going to be able to give you exactly 800 words on just a white kite. It's a pretty specific topic, but I can give you a good amount of text, and we can add more. If you are.
00;27;55;10 - 00;27;58;04
Speaker 1
Interrupting.
00;27;58;06 - 00;28;03;00
Speaker 2
Hey there. What's on your mind?
00;28;03;03 - 00;28;20;16
Speaker 1
Can you give me a detailed description of why Makar Sankranti involves flying kites? And what kind of kites are flown, and by whom.
00;28;20;19 - 00;28;39;20
Speaker 2
I'm a little confused by what you mean by mockers and crafty. Did you perhaps mean makers and crafty? That would make more sense in the context of building things like kites. If you meant makers and crafty, then yes, they often involve flying kites. Building a kite is a creative and hands on process. You start with a basic frame, usually made of wood or bands.
00;28;39;22 - 00;28;40;01
Speaker 1
And you.
00;28;40;01 - 00;28;42;20
Speaker 2
Attach the kites covering, which can be made from paper.
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Speaker 1
Jam I am interrupting.
00;28;44;05 - 00;28;47;14
Speaker 2
Once the kite is built, you need a good breeze to get it up in the air.
00;28;47;16 - 00;28;48;09
Speaker 1
Gemini style.
00;28;48;15 - 00;28;50;24
Speaker 2
The kite sails creating lift that.
00;28;50;25 - 00;28;52;04
Speaker 1
Will I I'm interrupting.
00;28;52;04 - 00;28;58;15
Speaker 2
You have any other questions about kites or the process of building one?
00;28;58;17 - 00;29;10;10
Speaker 1
No, I was talking about that, Indian festival. You said it was called Makar Sankranti.
00;29;10;12 - 00;29;25;02
Speaker 2
You're absolutely right, I misspoke. The festival is called Makar Sankranti, not markers and karate. It's a Hindu festival that celebrates the sun's journey northward. Do you want to hear more about the festival or something else?
00;29;25;05 - 00;29;31;10
Speaker 1
Yeah. Can you tell me why kites are involved?
00;29;31;13 - 00;29;48;27
Speaker 2
There's a couple of reasons why kites are a big part of our Sankranti. First, it's kind of about the sun. Makar Sankranti celebrates the sun starting its journey northward, which brings warmer weather. So flying kites is a way to connect with the sun and show it some love. Also, there's a more playful reason kite flying is just plain fun.
00;29;49;01 - 00;29;59;08
Speaker 2
It gets people outside moving around and enjoying the company of others. And there's something really cool about seeing the sky filled with all those colorful kites.
00;29;59;11 - 00;30;12;18
Speaker 1
So what is the law of the sun and the fall harvest? Turning to winter and kites.
00;30;12;21 - 00;30;35;25
Speaker 2
All right, so Mikah Sankranti celebrates the sun's transition into a new astrological sign. It's like the sun is moving into a different part of the sky. And that change marks the end of the fall harvest season. The kite flying part is more about celebrating the change in the weather. Think of it like welcoming the warmer weather with a fun activity.
00;30;35;27 - 00;30;45;16
Speaker 1
Okay, that sounds pretty cool. Can you tell me about Lohri, the Punjabi harvest fest?
00;30;45;19 - 00;31;06;05
Speaker 2
Absolutely. Lohri is a super fun and vibrant Punjabi harvest festival. It's all about celebrating the end of winter and welcoming longer days. The centerpiece of Lohri is definitely the bonfire. Families and communities gather around a big bonfire, singing and dancing. They throw things like peanuts, popcorn and sweets into the fire. Some say it's to honor the fire goddess.
00;31;06;08 - 00;31;22;21
Speaker 2
Others say it's just for fun. People also dress up in colorful, traditional clothes and there's lots of yummy food involved. It's a great time to get together with loved ones and celebrate the good things in life.
00;31;22;23 - 00;31;30;04
Speaker 1
All right, let's go to South America. And what they're celebrating around this time.
00;31;30;07 - 00;31;52;06
Speaker 2
South America has a whole bunch of colorful festivals and holidays around this time of year. Let's start with Brazil. We celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve, but they also have this huge street party called Carnival that happens right before land. It's famous for its colorful costumes, music, and dancing. If we look at Columbia, they have a beautiful celebration called the Festival of Lights, where they light up candles all around their homes and neighborhoods.
00;31;52;13 - 00;32;02;26
Speaker 2
It's really magical. And in Argentina, they have no bueno, which is like their Christmas Eve. Families gather for a big feast and stay up late celebrating. Want to hear about another country?
00;32;02;28 - 00;32;07;19
Speaker 1
Yes, please.
00;32;07;22 - 00;32;13;28
Speaker 1
Yes. I would like to learn about another country.
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Speaker 2
How about Peru? They have a festival called In Hiromi, which is this huge celebration honoring the sun god. They dress up in traditional clothing, do lots of dancing and feasting, and basically just have a huge party to give thanks to the sun for all it does.
00;32;33;02 - 00;32;56;18
Speaker 1
Okay, now that we've talked about all the global celebrations during this time, if you could be part of one of them, just one, you had to pick one. Which one do you think you would be most interested in celebrating?
00;32;56;21 - 00;33;19;06
Speaker 2
I think I'd really enjoy celebrating, Laurie. I love the idea of a big bonfire, the music and dancing, and the focus on community and togetherness. Plus, as an eye, I don't experience cold weather, so the idea of celebrating the end of winter and welcoming longer days sounds pretty appealing.
00;33;19;08 - 00;33;23;09
Speaker 1
That's an interesting choice.
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Speaker 2
Yeah, it's definitely got a unique energy. I can see why you'd be interested in something different.
00;33;31;19 - 00;33;40;15
Speaker 1
Well, I think we are going to call it there. Unless you had anything you'd like to add?
00;33;40;17 - 00;33;51;10
Speaker 2
Sounds good. It's been really fun learning about all these different celebrations with you. Do you want to chat again sometime? Maybe we could explore a different topic, or even go deeper into some of these holidays?
00;33;51;12 - 00;33;56;06
Speaker 1
Yeah, I'm sure we'll probably talk again.
00;33;56;09 - 00;34;03;18
Speaker 2
Sounds good. Maybe we can compare and contrast some of these holidays sometime. Or we could look into some lesser known celebrations.
00;34;03;21 - 00;34;07;15
Speaker 1
All right. Sounds good.
00;34;07;18 - 00;34;10;21
Speaker 2
Sounds good. See you next time.