Holidays Around the World

This time of year is dominated by a particular brand of celebration. The TV plays Rankin/Bass classics back-to-back, stores overflow with stocking stuffers and gift wrap, and there are more Santa Clauses than you can shake a stick at. It seems like everyone celebrates Christmas, and all in the exact same way. This year, part the tinsel and take a peek at how the rest of the world spends the winter.

When you think of winter holidays other than Christmas, you probably think of Hanukkah first. However, Hanukkah is a fairly minor Jewish holiday that has mostly gained significance as an alternative to Christmas, according to Paul Steinberg’s “Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays” (296.4 Ste). It is a joyful and visible celebration of Judaism’s perseverance against oppression and is popular even among the least observant. Learn more about the Festival of Lights, lesser-known winter holidays like Tu b’Shevat, and other major events throughout the year with “Jewish Family Celebrations: The Sabbath, Festivals, and Ceremonies” by Arlene Cardozo (296.4 Car), or explore Jewish culture through the lens of the Jewish Calendar with Jonathan D. Sarna’s “A Time to Every Purpose: Letters to a Young Jew” (296.7 Sar).

For fiction lovers, consider Jean Meltzer’s “The Matzah Ball” (FIC Mel), a light Jewish romance playing off Hallmark tropes, or “A Holly Jolly Diwali” by Sonya Lalli (FIC Lal), which revolves around the Indian Festival of Lights. “The Madness of Crowds” (FIC Pen) is a thought-provoking murder mystery set in a snowy, Canadian village, and one of the latest in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series. Or, if you don’t have time for a novel, Eric V. Copage’s “A Kwanzaa Fable” (FIC Cop) is a short, sweet story on how the principles of Kwanzaa can help you through the most difficult times.

Have you ever heard of a glögg party? This is a Scandinavian winter tradition mentioned in “The Swedish Christmas Table: Traditional Holiday Meals, Side Dishes, Candies, and Drinks” by Jens Linder (641.59 Lin). “Rick Steves’ European Christmas” (394.2663 Ste) offers a wide range of practices from around the continent, connecting them with their historical pagan roots, a theme expanded on in “The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year” by Linda Raedisch (394.2663 Rae). For those interested in modern Paganism, try Richard Heinberg’s “Celebrate the Solstice: Honoring the Earth’s Seasonal Rhythms through Festival and Ceremony” (394.26 Hei).

These books and many others are on display and available for checkout on the second floor, near the Reference Desk. Nothing here to catch your interest? Don’t give up! Browse our extensive catalog, check out our upcoming programs, and more on our website at www.cdpl.lib.in.us or call us at 765-362-2242. The library is open Monday-Thursday 9a-9p, Friday-Saturday 9a-5p, and Sunday 1-5p.

Susanna Howard is a Library Assistant in the Reference and Local History Department at CDPL.