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Show - -- nTTitirtr-ir I - - - 'n,rvrrr.irwT1i.fi iTirrm BB - - December 14, 2000 - mofe.than one r way to ceSebrs ) l S V 1 9 FMS liaisons provide window to other traditions Holiday traditions from around the world by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff You may not i hear Merry Christmas at the For- eign Military Sales Liaison offices on base, but that doesnt mean a variety of holiday traditions arent being celebrated. At any one time as many as 16 countries have representatives on Hill. Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and officers of other religions celebrate the holiday season a little differently than their American counterparts (see related article). While many on base finish Christmas shopping, Lt. Col. Arbel Meir, whos been in Utah four months as the Israeli representative, will begin the Chanukkah season one of the Jewish peoples holiest celebrations. Chanukkah the festival of rededication (also known as the festival of lights) celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Meir said the English word for Chanukkah is housewarming noting, Every time we celebrate getting into a new home we call it Chanukkah. This year Chanukkah begins Dec. 22. s The holiday is rooted in events surrounding IV, who controlled the region Israel now occupies and oppressed Jews over 2,000 years ago. The leader prohibited the Jewish people from practicing their religion and desecrated the holy temple. He was very rude to the Jewish people. He worshipped the Greek gods. The Jewish people believed in their God. This was the situation, Meir said. Anti-ochu- The Jewish people used to have a temple in Jerusalem. A great synagogue that was the most holy place for Jewish people in the world. Whats left from those days is the Western Wall in Jerusalem. After years of suppression, the people revolted and eventually won the war. During the occupation by Antiochus IV and his men, the temple became a shambles and the small boxes of oil (once stored in the temple) that were kept by the holiest men to light candles for prayer were gone. The temple was eventually rebuilt and ready for dedication, but oil was needed for praying. Finally, after a lot of searching they found one box of oil. It was supposed to last for one day, but there was a miracle and it lasted for eight days. So they celebrated the opening of the rebuilt temple for eight days, Meir said. Chanukkah Menorahs have nine branches, one In addition to the traditions celebrated in Israel and Turkey during the holiday season, base Foreign Military Sales liaison officers from around the world observe significant religious and state holidays at this time of the year. Australia in the center and four on each side. The center can- dle is used to light other candles in memory of the eight-da- y miracle. During Chanukkah, Meir said its common to pray and eat food cooked in oil like latkes, potato pancakes. d Children play with a spinning top called a dradel. Tops purchased in Israel say A great miracle happened here.Tops purchased in the U.S. say A great miracle happened there. Parents also give presents to children during the eight days. Meir said in addition to celebrating his Jewish holidays, hes enjoyed learning about some of the American traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving and the seasons decorations have impressed him as well as his family.w-- Im amdzed by the decorations ' that youre doing. Its just out- - standing. Thats totally different. Theres nothing like that in Israel, he said. Meir isnt the only liaison officer impressed by the decorations. The Turkish liaison officers said theyve both enjoyed seeing houses shinfour-side- , v ing with their families. While Turkey doesnt decorate homes with lights during the holiday season, its one of many countries around the world with International New Years celebrations. Lt. Col. A. Yalcin Kececi, whos beefi at Hill two years, and Maj. Tekin Ersoz, here for four months, said their countrymen go to large cities to see fireworks and hear famous singers, similar to Americans visiting New York City or Las Vegas to see performers. Generally people without children would prefer to go out to a disco or club and dance, Ersoz said, adding many people make reservations months in advance to attend special evening events. The officers said families in Turkey often cele- brate at home eating special dishes like Dolma (grape leaves stuffed with rice and meats) or Baklava (a sweet syrupy dessert). The people of Turkey also set New Year goals similar to their American counterparts resolutions. While many of the Turkish New Year celebrations are similar to those in the United States, Turks will physically jump into the New Year when the clock strikes midnight, symbolizing the changes. Ersoz said that while most people in Turkey are Muslims, there are also those of other religions and each group has their own traditions during the holiday season. In Australia, Santa often arrives on a surfboard. Unlike the United States, which is experiencing winter in December, Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and in the middle of summer. Its not unusual for temperatures to reach 100 degrees on Christmas and for Australians to spend the day at a swimming pool or the beach. A traditional meal may include turkey, ham and a Christmas plum pudding. During Australias gold rush, the pudding often contained a gold nugget and a small favor is still traditionally found inside a pudding. The person who finds the item enjoys good luck during the year. On Christmas Eve, thousands gather in large cities, like Melbourne, to sing. Belgium On the eve of Dec. 5, St. Nicholas rides on horseback dressed in bishops robes to deliver gifts and sweets to children. Children leave their shoes on the fireplace filled with carrots and sugar cubes for St Nicholass horse and a small heart warming drink for the good Saint. Families often gather on Dec. 25, and at night they often go out to watch live nativity scenes, listen to choirs and attend Christmas mass. Churches have nativity scenes, which are also popular in homes, and the nativity is performed in 16th Century costume. At Twelfthnight (Driekoningen) , in some villages children dressed as the Three Wise Kings of the East carol from home to home with a star and are rewarded with candy. Denmark Each Sunday in Advent, guests are invited to join in the lighting of the candles on the Advent crown. Adults drink a warm mixture ofred wine, spices and raisins, and children drink a sweet fruit juice. Everybody eats small cakes of batter, which have been cooked over the fire in a special pan and dusted with icing sugar. Scandinavians often celebrate the New Year by observing traditional Norsemen festivities many involved using time and light to encourage the suns return.- - Egypt The Orthodox Coptic Church celebrates Christmas Dec. 7. During Advents 40 days, members refrain from eating meat, poultry and dairy products. Christmas Eve, churchgoers wear new outfits to a service that lasts until midnight when church bells ring. People return home to eatfata a meal of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat. Christmas morning many visit with friends bringing kaik, a shortbread. The day is a public See Traditions, page B6 |