With the blooming of flowers, sunny skies and a sudden warmth in the air, spring has finally arrived. We often focus on how our cultures are different, divided by borders, languages and beliefs, but the arrival of this season proves we are more alike than we realize. By looking at how the world celebrates spring, we see that the craving for a fresh start is the one thing that truly unites us all.
Many cultures around the world celebrate spring every year. From bonfires to parades, every celebration brings people together and celebrates the start of a new season.
Passover, for example, is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for seven or eight days. During Passover, people reflect on the Hebrew people’s freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. The enslaved people were believed to have been led to freedom by a prophet named Moses. In this festival, families get together on the first day at sundown and have a special dinner called sedar. According to tradition, bread is not allowed during Passover, but matzo, which is a flat bread, is an exception. On the dinner table, a bitter herb called maror is set up, which symbolizes the experience of the people who were enslaved. According to National Geographic, during the celebratory meal, people reflect on stories about their ancestors’ time of slavery and the celebration of their independence. This year, Passover is happening from the evening of April 1-9.
Easter is a Christian tradition marking the day Jesus Christ is said to have come back to life. This day is a celebration of Christian faith and of new beginnings. On Easter Sunday, people attend church services where they sing and pray. It is also a day where families do fun activities, such as decorating chocolate or hard boiled eggs and searching for the hidden treasures or goodies in the Easter Egg hunt. Some children also receive a basket that is filled with goodies from the Easter Bunny. Another part of the celebration is that families have big feasts during this day. This year Easter is taking place on April 5.
Holi is a Hindu celebration, also known as the festival of colors. This festival is celebrated on the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna. This celebration marks the end of winter and honors the triumph of good over evil. During this festival, people light bonfires, throw colorful powder, called gulal, eat sweets and dance to traditional folk music. This year, Holi was celebrated on March 4. In the U.S., celebrations took place in Apex; another celebration is happening on March 14 in Morrisville.
Nowruz is a Persian holiday, also known as the Persian New Year. The day’s name translates to ‘New Day’ and marks the beginning of spring. This festival is celebrated by millions of people in Iran and other countries as well, especially throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. Families celebrate Nowruz by cleaning their homes and having a big feast. A table is usually arranged with seven items that start with the letter ‘s’ in the Persian language. Each item symbolizes a principle, such as love or rebirth. Some people also exchange gifts or attend street festivals to ring in the new year. This year, Nowruz is taking place on March 20. Nowruz is taking place in the U.S. from March 20-21 in a variety of locations, including Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, and Washington D.C.
Songkran is a Thai festival, and it’s a celebration of the Thai New Year. It is about making a fresh start with a splash. This festival lasts three days, though festivities can vary throughout Thailand, with each city having its own unique tradition(s). Water plays a major role in the festival; symbolically, it washes away the previous year so people can prepare for the next one. Many Songkran traditions use water, such as cleaning homes and sprinkling water on statues of Buddha and the hands of elders. Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties and a giant friendly water fight. This year, Songkran is happening from April 13-15. In the U.S., Songkran celebrations are going to take place in Los Angeles on April 26.
In contrast to this water centric tradition, a fiery farewell to winter and a grand welcome to spring takes place in Valencia. This Spanish festival is called Las Fallas and features giant paper-mache statues called fallas, that are paraded throughout the city, depicting funny or satirical scenes. Then, in a spectacular display, they are all set ablaze in the night. It is a loud, energetic celebration with fireworks and exciting street parties that continue throughout the night. This year, Las Fallas is taking place from March 15-19.
All of these festivals, whether they’ve already taken place or have yet to occur, send the same messages: welcome spring and new beginnings. People celebrate together to let go of the past year, the ups and downs and embrace what’s about to come.
