SESSION 25- B1+ LEVEL

4.1 Reading: Read the text and learn new words (in bold)

11 weird and wonderful Christmas traditions from around the world

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you’re celebrating a religious festival, such as
Christmas, or a more secular occasion, for sure you have your own traditions that guarantee tons of
festive fun. Around the world there are other traditions that can be surprising, shocking or even fun.
Here some of them.

1.Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines

The Giant Lantern Festival is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San
Fernando. Everyone tries to build the most elaborate lantern. Originally not too big and made of paper,
today the lanterns are made from a variety of materials and are around six meters in size. They are
illuminated by electric bulbs in a kaleidoscope of patterns.

2. Gävle Goat, Sweden

Since 1966 a 13-meter-tall Yule Goat has been built in the center of Gävle’s Castle Square for the
Advent, and since then it has been successfully burned down. If you want to see how the Goat fares this
year when it goes up on December 1st, you can follow its progress on the Visit Gävle website through a
live video stream.

3. Krampus, Austria

In Austrian tradition, a beast-like demon, Krampus, captures naughty children while St. Nicholas
rewards nice little boys and girls. In the first week of December, young men dress up as the Krampus
and frighten children with chains and bells.

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4. Kentucky Fried Christmas Dinner, Japan

Christmas has never been a big deal in Japan. Aside from a few small traditions such as gift-giving and
light displays, Christmas remains a novelty in the country. However, a new, weird “tradition” has
emerged in recent years – a Christmas Day feast at Kentucky Fried Chicken.

5. The Yule Lads, Iceland

In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. They visit the
children across the country and for each night children place their best shoes by the window and a
different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones.

6. Saint Nicholas’ Day, Germany

Nikolaus travels by donkey in the middle of the night on December 6 and leaves little treats like coins,
chocolate, oranges and toys in the shoes of good children. But St. Nick often brings along Knecht
Ruprecht, a devil-like character dressed in dark clothes covered with bells and a dirty beard. Knecht
Ruprecht carries a stick to punish children who misbehave.

7. Never leave a broom behind over Christmas: it might get stolen, Norway

Perhaps one of the most unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people
hide their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches came
out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on.

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8. The lighting of the Menorah in Washington, D.C.

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated across the United States. . Since 1979, a giant nine-meter
Menorah has been raised on the White House grounds for the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. The
ceremony in Washington, D.C. consists of speeches, music, activities for kids, and the lighting of the
Menorah.

9. Enjoy a Christmas dinner consisting of 'tamales', Venezuela

Every Christmas Eve, the city’s residents go to church in the early morning on roller skates. People skate
to church before going home for the less-than-traditional Christmas dinner of tamales.

10. Day of the Little Candles, Colombia

In honor of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles and paper lanterns in
their windows, balconies and front yards. Some of the best candle displays are found in Quimbaya,
where neighborhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.

11. Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto

In Toronto the annual Cavalcade of Lights marks the official start of the holiday season. The Square and
Christmas tree are illuminated by more than 300,000 LED lights that shine from until 11 pm up to New
Year’s day.

Adapted from: https://www.momondo.com/discover/article/christmas-traditions-around-the-world

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