Category: CULTURES
Easter Witches in Sweden
Most Christian holidays have pagan roots and traditions, and Easter is no exception. In Sweden, it is said that this is the time of year that witches mounted their broomsticks and flew off to Blockulla – the mystical meadow where witches gathered to dance with the devil.
This piece of folklore is commemorated in Sweden [...] Read More »
Culture Notes Mar. 6, ‘08
Cultures under threat:
Rising property prices threaten Moscow’s architectural heritage
Sundanese cultural groups are vanishing in Indonesia
Thai food culture threatened by garlic from China
Camels and Bicycles
Turkey will be a first-time guest of honor at the 23rd annual Janadriya Culture and Heritage Festival in Saudi Arabia, which will feature an hour-long operetta, written by Prince Saad ibn Saud, [...] Read More »
Carnival in Germany: Fastnacht / Fasching / Karneval
Carnival, the rowdy celebrations preceding the start of Lent, is celebrated across many cultures with different traditions. While Latin cultures are famous for their Carnival celebrations in places such as New Orleans and Venice, there is a very strong Carnival tradition in northern cultures, as well, especially in the Catholic areas of Germany, where [...] Read More »
Chocolates and Valentine’s Day in Japan and Korea
In cultures that observe Valentine’s Day, it is usually the men who are under a lot of pressure to make a dinner reservation and buy a gift for their wife or girlfriend. In Japan and Korea, however, it is customary for the women to give gifts to men on Valentine's Day instead. Typically, [...] Read More »
Culture Notes Jan. 31 ‘08
Robrohan describes the perils of trying to fit in with other cultures (when you don’t really know what you’re doing) – includes a great overview of Chinese dragon symbols.
The travel rats describe the Sensory Overload they experience in their first two weeks in India.
My Grandma is More Sexy than You! The Taiwan News reviews an [...] Read More »
Culture Notes Jan. 16 ‘08
We really are different: how culture affects your brain.
But we all ride the same wave: Mike describes how surfing brings together different cultures at Rabat beach in Morocco.
Carmen explains, once and for all, that Chinese Fortune Cookies were actually invented in Japan.
Afghanistan bans ‘The Kite Runner.’
The debate over [...] Read More »
Expat: Israeli in Taiwan
Fili is studying for a PhD in Taiwan after many years in the Israeli IT scene. Fili blogs about Chinese, Taiwanese and Asian cultures. Recent posts on Taiwanese music based on the listening tastes of people Fili has met, and the attitude toward foreigners of the Chinese and the Taiwanese.
Blog: Fili's World
Author: Fili
From: Israel
Living [...] Read More »
A Common Word
Muslim religious leaders and scholars have sent an open letter to the Pope and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding of the commonalities between the two faiths. The letter, titled “ A Common Word Between Us and You,” marks the Eid al-Fitr al-Mubarak, the festival that is the end of Ramadan, and the one [...] Read More »
Culture Notes Oct 11 ‘07
Ghana in Ithaca: Ghana native Sulley Imoro teaches African Drum and Dance to college students in Ithaca, New York as the Ithaca College School of Music’s artist in residence. Includes audio slide show of an African Drum and Dance performance.
No Sports Culture in India: In a country of many cultures, there’s one [...] Read More »
Expat: American in Finland
We see many great blogs written by expatriates living in other cultures. When we find ones that we like, we will create a post and then list them on our Expats page.
Phil has been living in Finland for four years and blogging about political and cultural topics since 2004. Recent posts include [...] Read More »
