Photo from Pixabay. Credit to Karoline Grabowska.
November 5th, 2023
By Stephanie L. Granada
The holiday season in the US is here! Just right in the corner. The most exciting celebration of Thanksgiving Is taking place again, like every year, on November 23rd, 2023, and why not share with you some differences in holiday celebrations I have noticed these two years I have been in the United States? Thanksgiving is not just a lot of meals in one day, it is the time that the whole nation stops to reflect on their present and thankfulness. Families and friends get together around the table ready with Turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce, appreciating life.
Teleporting to Paraguay, there is no celebration of Thanksgiving, but we do celebrate many other things such as the honoring of the Virgen of Caacupe that takes place every December 8 where people walk 10 hours and 33 minutes from the capital of the country Asuncion to the Basilica in Caacupe to adore the Virgen as a proof of sacrifice to get a miracle.
Another thing that I have noticed is that Christmas in the U.S. is a spectacle. Homes transform into winter wonderlands, and gifts from Santa are the main attraction on Christmas morning, where the family sits around the Christmas tree to reveal the gifts to the corresponding person. Contrasting with Paraguay, Christmas is not as traditional as it sounds in the US, but New Year tends to be the big bash, it’s a nationwide explosion of fireworks, parties, and joyfulness in families.
Walking for 10 hours to honor the virgin of Caacupe? That's very interesting." As for your question about Paraguay and why they honor her, it seems like there might be some cultural or religious context related to the "virgen of Caacupe." To learn more about it, it would be helpful to explore the specific cultural or religious practices in Paraguay associated with this figure.
ResponderBorrarI enjoy hearing about other cultures' holidays. I often forget that America has different traditions than other countries. New Years in Paraguay sounds like an amazing party and celebration that I'd love to experience one day.
ResponderBorrarI really enjoyed thanksgiving as well. As a person who also comes from another country, we also celebrate the Virgen of Guadalupe every December 12 something similar to the Virgen of Caacupe.
ResponderBorrar