Global Festivals - Universal Symbol of Light, Family and Friends, Food Cultures & Traditions, Stories

1. Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Presenter: Jyotsna Jain

Jyotsna described Diwali as a vibrant Indian celebration where light symbolizes hope, renewal, and goodness.
Homes are decorated with diyas and colourful rangoli; families exchange sweets, wear new clothes, enjoy fireworks,
and tell stories such as Rama’s return and the triumph of good over evil. She highlighted the spiritual elements of
honouring Lakshmi and Ganesha and the focus on prosperity rooted in fairness and clarity. As she reflected, Diwali
becomes less about outward lights and more about “light within,” encouraging renewal in relationships, home, and
community. Celebrating Diwali in Antigonish brings joy and connection with both the Indian community and
Canadian friends.

2. Hanukkah – Light, Liberation, and an Ancient Miracle

Presenter: Heidi Steinit

Heidi began by situating Hanukkah in the calendar: it always starts in December or early January, during the darkest
time of year, which makes its focus on light especially meaningful. She explained that many Jewish holidays
commemorate liberation. Passover recalls liberation from slavery in Egypt; Hanukkah commemorates liberation of
the Jewish people from Greek (Seleucid) occupation in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah celebrates the reclaiming of
the Temple by the Maccabees during this time. When the temple was reclaimed, they sought to relight the eternal
flame — something found in synagogues today — but discovered only enough sanctified oil for one day. It would
take eight days to prepare new oil. Yet the oil miraculously lasted for eight days. This minor miracle became the
foundation of Hanukkah’s eight-day celebration. Heidi explained the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) which has
eight candles plus one “helper candle” used to light the others. New candles are added each night;Traditional
foods—latkes and sufganiyot—honour the oil. She spoke of Jewish life in Antigonish: a small but longstanding
community navigating traditions such as kosher meals and differing practices across Orthodox, Conservative, and
Reform Judaism. Despite challenges, she emphasized feeling welcomed here.

3. Christmas – Faith, Mystery, Tradition, and the Spirit of Sharing

Presenter: Karen Foley

Karen began by acknowledging that many people already know parts of the Christmas story, but she hoped to add
meaning through both personal experience and history.
She retold the Christian narrative: the angel visiting Mary; Mary becoming pregnant through divine intervention;
Jesus’ birth; angels appearing to shepherds; the shepherds’ fear and wonder; and the wise men (Magi) traveling long
distances to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Karen explained the historical choice of December 25, but
no one knows when Jesus was actually born. She spoke of the evolution of Santa Claus and the blend of religious
and secular traditions. Karen shared memories of childhood wonder, candlelit trees, and her ongoing participation in
church music. She described the excitement of Advent, concerts, cooking, and baking, contrasted with the quieter
family focus of Christmas Day. She encouraged newcomers to join through simple traditions—lights, wreaths, or
attending community meals—and ended by singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

4. Chinese New Year – Tradition, Food, Family, and a Month of Celebration

Presenter: Cathy Lin

Kathy introduced Chinese New Year as a holiday rooted in the lunar calendar, varying each year but usually
occurring in late January or February.. Preparations begin on the 23rd to 29th day of the final lunar month. Families
thoroughly clean the house to remove “old thoughts and bad luck,” making space for good fortune. Decorations in
bright red dominate — banners with lucky phrases, gold or black calligraphy, and symbolic imagery.
Chinese New Year’s celebrations center around food and gathering: Symbolic foods—fish, chicken, dumplings, and
noodles—represent abundance, long life, and prosperity. She noted that food is absolutely central, and that every
family has its own special dishes. After dinner, families watch the nationally broadcast CCTV New Year Gala from
9pm until midnight. They count down together and stay awake afterward in a tradition called shou sui — protecting
the old year and welcoming the new. Families share stories, laugh, talk about the past year, and often stay awake
until 1 or 2am.The next morning, children receive red envelopes containing money, accompanied by blessings for
good fortune, health, and success. Children respond with their own respectful wishes to their parents and elders.
She continues these traditions with her children in Canada: cooking festive meals, watching the New Year Gala,
giving red envelopes, and inviting relatives from Halifax to celebrate together.

5. Eid – Fasting, Celebration, Sacrifice, and Community Generosity

Presenter: Samir Taleb

Samir shared his experience with the two major Islamic celebrations: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
He began with Ramadan, the month of fasting that precedes Eid al-Fitr: Muslims fast for 30 days, from early dawn
until sunset. During the fast, they abstain from all food and water. He emphasized the difficulty, especially in years
when Ramadan falls in summer and fasting days are long. Ramadan includes more than fasting — it also involves
prayer five times a day, self-reflection, acts of charity, and striving to “clean the heart.” He listed the five daily
prayers by name — Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha — explaining how they structure daily life during
Ramadan.
At the end of the 30 days, Eid al-Fitr begins. It lasts three days, with no school for children in many countries.
Families gather, prepare large meals, cook sweets, and visit one another. Samir described cooking meat, chicken,
and especially baklava, which he said brings his wife great happiness. Children receive money and visit neighbours
and relatives to collect gifts.
He briefly discussed Eid al-Adha, which comes two months later and is connected to the Hajj pilgrimage. Families
who can afford it buy an animal such as a sheep or cow, share the meat with neighbours, relatives, and people in
need, and celebrate with large meals and gatherings.
He ended with a smile, saying:
“For me, Eid al-Fitr is the happiest. Everyone cooks, everyone visits, and the children love it.”

Group Discussion and Q&A

What is common across festivals?
Participants agreed:

“Food is central.”

“Family is central.”

“Light is central.”

“And almost every festival has sweets.”

How is it practicing cultural traditions in Antigonish?

Long-term residents shared that decades ago, Antigonish had very few cultural communities — “no Black families,
no Chinese families, no Jewish families,” as one recalled. Maintaining traditions was difficult but possible,
supported by the open and welcoming spirit of local residents.

Today, the community is much more diverse, and traditions can be celebrated more visibly and collectively.

One participant summed it up beautifully:
“We have much more in common than we have different.”

Closing Note
This Lunch & Learn offered a rich journey across cultures, histories, memories, and personal stories. Though each
festival has its own rituals and beliefs, all speakers emphasized values shared across humanity: hope, family,
generosity, reflection, celebration, and bringing light into dark seasons.

ACALA thanks all presenters and participants for contributing their stories and welcoming us into their traditions.
And feels proud to be a place and space to share and celebrate all these amazing festival cultures. There is so much
joy to share as we approach our upcoming holiday season.