Seminar Addresses Holiday Diversity
As the region has become more multicultural, holiday traditions have become more diverse along with the people.
Some Armenian Christians, for example, eat only fruits and vegetables for the 50 days prior to Jan. 6, the day observed as Jesus’ birthday, said Armine Kondajian, a teacher and member of the Armenian Relief Society.
Kondajian spoke at a seminar at Glendale Memorial Hospital on diversity in holiday celebrations. The purpose was to educate the public about winter holiday customs among Armenian Christians, Mexican and Filipino Catholics, and Jews of European descent.
From Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve, many people in Mexico celebrate Las Posadas , re-enacting the pilgrimage that Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, said Gloria Tiscareno, whose parents were natives of Mexico.
“Even after Christmas, we still celebrate,” said Lina Seaver, who emigrated from the Philippines in 1972. Filipino families usually decorate their homes with a well-lighted parol, which represents the large star that led the three kings to the Christ child.
They also have adopted the popular Santa Claus figure in their celebrations, Seaver said.
Edith Cohen of Silver Lake explained the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which began Wednesday night and continues for eight days.
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