By: Elaine Chan, Center Spread Editor
Come Thanksgiving, the colder months bring warm memories as family and friends gather together. In the United States, we typically celebrate this holiday on the fourth Thursday of November with foods like roast turkey and mashed potatoes, and in most homes, the TV will most likely be streaming the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. All across the globe, Thanksgiving traditions may differ but they all bring people together in the spirit of gratitude.
In Japan, their variation of Thanksgiving is called, “Kinro Kansha no Hi” or Labor Thanksgiving Day. This celebration originated from an ancient rice harvest festival and is now celebrated on November 23rd annually. Differing from the American feasts that usually occur, in Japan this national holiday encourages the citizens to celebrate the fruits of hard labor and the importance of community involvement. A common practice for children is the creation of “thank you” cards for public service staff in their local communities.
As American Thanksgiving was born out of the year’s harvest, China has a similar celebration called the Mid-Autumn Festival often nicknamed, Mooncake Festival. On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, families gather together and prepare for the meal. Traditionally, round foods are most valued as to bring the family prosperity and fortune, and mooncakes are prepared with a bright egg yolk center to emulate the full moon. All across China, houses are illuminated by delicate paper lanterns strung together in the night. This festival shows great similarities to the Korean “Chuseok Festival” which also celebrates the full harvest moon. Families make Korean rice cakes together prior to the festival and offer gifts to friends and family on the 15th of August in the lunar calendar.
Come autumn in Germany, the festival of Erntedankfest is celebrated among Christian and Protestant families. While it is not officially dated on the calendar, families honor the fall harvest and crown a Harvest Queen. Much like America, it is a day reserved for community, feasting, and gratitude for the harvest. Countries like Austria and Switzerland also take part in this celebration!
Celebrations of gratitude are present in all cultures and despite the differences, they all share the same wonderful qualities. These celebrations bond us together in shared thankfulness and around the world we can all take part in this season of thanks.
