What's going on in Uusikaupunki

Tiistaina 18. joulukuuta 2018 11 W H A T , S G O I N G O N I N U U S I K AU P U N K I ? How do you celebrate Christmas? ■■ Do you celebrate Christmas in your country? Do you celebrate it in Finland? ■■ Eldrin Paul Arangorin, Philip- pines ■■ Around Septem- ber you can already feel the Christmas spirit in the air in my home country. Filipino people be- gin to decorate the inside and outside of their homes rather early. Months before December, it is typical to see giant Christmas trees covered in lights. We celebrate in December by going Christ- mas caroling, putting up Christmas trees, lights and ornaments. Families prepare handmade instruments a few weeks before Christmas to use as accompaniments for when singing Christmas carols and traveling to various villages. ■■ Starting on the 16th of December is the Sim- bang Gabi, also known as Misa de Gallo. It is a Christmas tradition that shows how much Filipi- nos value their faith in God. It is mainly practiced by Aglipayan, Protestant and Catholic churches. It is in essence a mass of mourning and it ends on Christmas Eve. ■■ On Christmas eve we have one of the most entertaining and exciting traditions called, street partying. Everyone gathers in the city and enjoys time together singing, dancing, parading around, eating and whatever else they find to do. It is a jo- yous time. But the best of the holiday festivities is Noche Buena, also celebrated on Christmas Eve. It is a feast that we hold at midnight, where clan members and family members gather around and eat traditional Christmas foods together. ■■ It is also a time for family and clan reunions, since mostly all family members are present. We share food and fun and also give gifts to one another as an expression of our love for each ot- her. ■■ Whenever I remember these things about Christmas traditions in the Philippines, it ma- kes me cry a lot, and I really miss my family and friends back home. I am alone every Christmas, because I live here in Finland and am so far a way from home. Truly Christmas in my country is one of a kind, it is not a rich country with a lot of mo- ney, but it is rich with happiness, greatness and joy shared with each Filipino person. It is unique and colorful, and is a big deal to us because it’s the season to give love, to forgive and spread happiness to everyone. ■■ Bin Duong, Vietnam ■■ Christmas is not a part of our culture, so for us it is not that important. Of course we celebrate like other people here in Finland by giving gifts and spending time with family mem- bers but New Years is the top thing which earns more celebration. ■■ Maksym Borod- kin, Ukraine ■■ We do celebrate Christmas in the Uk- raine. Christmas for me, is time with fa- mily. We also have a Christmas eve tradi- tion where children go from house to house, singing Christmas songs. The people usually give them candy and money. ■■ Adeniyi Olufemi Folorunso, South- west Nigeria ■■ In my region has almost the same amount of Christi- ans and Muslims, even within the fa- mily. Holiday season is celebrated by mostly everybody. It is like an end of the year thanksgiving celebration. ■■ Some people travel to their native town to celebrate with other family members (extended family) and use this time as an opportunity to see and meet each other. Different types of food will be prepared and anybody can come to your home and eat without notice. ■■ Christmas is a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a season to re-ignite passion for His life and continual existence. It is also a season to show the less privileged people that they are lo- ved and need to be cared for. Above all, this is a season to remember God’s love for the world. ■■ Bryan Coleman, Detroit Michigan, U.S.A. ■■ A typical Christ- mas for me starts with me waking up early in the mor- ning. I do this thing called Detroit Meals on Wheels where I go with a group of volunteers and we pass out packed Christmas meals to the elderly and less fortunate every year. This would be my 15th year in a row if I go home this Christ- mas. ■■ Besides that, Christmas is spent giving thanks to God, and being around my family and loved ones. We normally exchange some gifts and have Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. We hang together and have great conversation. We get a chance to catch up on things, and sometimes play games. ■■ Akraya Salo- maa, Thailand ■■ Thailand is a multi-cultured country so there will be all kinds of celebrations for every special occasion. As far as giving presents, we usually do that during the ce- lebration of the New Year. In December it is quite lively, bright, gorgeous and fantastic in Thailand. The country is full of light, especially in the big city. ■■ During the past 9 years here in Finland, I pre- pared Christmas food for the family. It was a good feeling that at least once a year, family members came to visit, and spend time together. We would sit, eat, talk and give presents to each other. This kind of great feeling was meaningful to me since the house would be filled with joy, happiness and smiles during the darkness of winter. GALLUP CHRISTMAS WORDS