Culture

During a rainy day, looking out from the window with a cup of Tea in your hand, did you ever questioned yourself on things you do everyday that become ordinary? Well I did, and I asked myself: ”What is culture? Where do my Tradition come from?”

So I started of thinking about the definition of culture and this is what came in my mind: "Culture is the combination of values, and traditions that any social group in the world shares and pass on to the next generations." On the other side Wikipedia defines culture as: "The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group…” Any definition can be debatable but the concept is the same, culture includes as well most of our everyday actions that become ordinary and any holiday we celebrate.

Although today between the phenomenon of Globalization and the opening of social barriers, we are forgetting where we come from, I think and believe that culture is an important symbol of identification for each of us and we do not have to forget about it.

In Italian there is a dictum, which my Mother use to say, that states: ”Il mondo e’ bello perche’ e’ vario” which means: “The world is nice because is different”. We are all different and each culture needs to be respected and accepted because there is a reason why we are like this, and it all goes back to our history and our background. There is a story behind every person.

Each Tradition in any Culture has its history and meaning, and they play an important part in everyone’s life. Wouldn’t be interesting to know the different ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world?and why? Or why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving? And Halloween? Why English celebrate bank holidays? Why in Argentina they celebrate the day of the friendship? Or in Italy & Spain in August everything closes?....etc….

I would love to be able to share with you the Tradition of every Culture, Country, and Religion in the world, but I need your help. I would love to know more about your traditions, if you wish to do so write to me at the following e-mail address: anna.apostolo@gmail.com.

I will leave you with a video about the history of Thanksgiving, which is mainly celebrated in the United States the last Thursday of November, enjoy!

The History of Thanksgiving!