Work , work , work ... If there is one thing that connects everyone , it ’ s our desire to take a break and enjoy the holidays at peace . Of course , every culture has its own way of celebrating the winter holidays . Since BUas is an international university , we decided to ask some people how they celebrate winter holidays at home , and also how they celebrate them in The Netherlands !
Yam - Student from Israel Raphael - Lecturer from France / England Daria - Student from Russia Laura - Lecturer from Colombia
How do you celebrate winter holidays back home ?
Y : In Israel we celebrate Hannukah ; close in timing but not on the same days as Christmas . In this holiday we usually gather with family , light candles and eat delicious food such as strawberry jam donuts ( Sofganiot ) and potato patties ( Levivot ). It is the Jewish way of commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem R : In England , traditions are much more visible . Most of these traditions are not that old , they were revived and remixed in the 19th century . This includes Christmas Carols and Christmas food being served in every restaurant , so even an Italian restaurant may serve turkey with parsnips and brussels sprouts , as well as Christmas pudding for dessert . D : In Russia we don ’ t celebrate Christmas like Catholics , we celebrate “ Novy God ” which is basically new year ’ s . In my family we stay up till the new year together , have a nice dinner and see the fireworks . Next morning , we open presents together under the new year ’ s tree . It is basically like a combination of Christmas and New Year ’ s Eve . Instead of Santa we have Ded Moroz , which is basically the same idea , a nice old figure who brings the children presents . L : Christmas is a big thing in Colombia because they are Catholics . They do Novena 9 days before Christmas in which people gather to pray , we make it very festive . People meet every day after school or work with friends or family to eat , drink , and pray together .
How ’ s winter in your country different than in the Netherlands ?
Y : Well Israel is a very hot country , so you don ’ t have snow or very cold weather . I like getting cozy in the winter here . R : In France , it ’ s a very private event and each family has their own traditions ; they can give each other presents on the 24 / 25th of December . The 25th of December in England is much more of a holiday so almost everything is closed , including transport . People exchange gifts and have their traditional Christmas lunch , which starts at around noon and lasts for the rest of the day . The 26th is also a holiday . D : The colors in The Netherlands are different , here it ’ s more red and yellow while in Russia it ’ s blue and white . L : Colombia is very influenced by America , even though it is a tropical hot country . Around Christmas you can see over the top Christmas decorations with fake snow , Santa , reindeer , snowmen , and lights .