Traditions on March and April in #AthensSantiagoQuitoShanghaiKampala aka: A.S.Q.S.K
A Connecting Cities Story
Living in Athens, we have so many traditions around March and April, that I personally, love to do. I was curious for what the other cities have around that time, so I decided to do some research and see if we can unite. From what I read, I was amazed from all that things we have in common. I would like to share with you some things and I hope you like them.
A.S.Q.S.K means Athens, Santiago, Quito, Shanghai and Kampala.
Athens
Here in Athens, we have the custom of Halloween for 3 weeks till the Clean Monday, when we eat only seafood preparing for our 40-days fasting from meat till Easter — the Great Lent or Great Fast. I prefer to say Απόκριες (Apokries), because it is totally different than the American Halloween when they have “trick or treat”. In lots of places in Greece we have our carnivals, some of them lasts 3 days in a row or even a couple hours. Eitherway, we masquerade and have fun.
Great Lent officially begins on Clean Monday, seven weeks before Pascha (Easter) and runs for 40 contiguous days, concluding with the Presanctified Liturgy on Friday of the Sixth Week. The next day is called Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. Fasting continues throughout the following week, known as Passion Week or Holy Week, and does not end until after the Paschal Vigil early in the morning of Pascha (Easter Sunday).
Santiago
In Santiago, I read that they have the Quasimodo Festivities in March and April. The Quasimodo Festivities are celebrated in rural parts of central Chile. During this rite, a Catholic priest gives communion to the sick on a decorated float accompanied by riders in kerchiefs. The event dates back to Colonial times and is celebrated the first Sunday after Easter. You can attend the celebration in Santiago’s Lo Barnechea, in towns like El Monte (outside of San Antonio) and on the outskirts of Rancagua.
Quito
Semana Santa, or Holy Week leading to Easter, is one of the most unique times to be in Quito. The elaborate religious processions are the most distinguished and memorable religious events in Latin America. Taking place from March 19 to April 5, Quito’s Holy Week offers the opportunity to experience traditional rituals that go back to the times of the Christ, contemporary and medieval music and Andean gastronomy within the framework of the celebration of Easter.
The celebration of the Arrastre de caudas dates back to Roman times when military men mourned fallen generals. Quito is the only city in the world that still practices the ritual. Taking place on Holy Wednesday, this liturgical act takes place in the Cathedral with a leading priests dressed in hooded black cape with a 7-foot tail that symbolizes the sins of the world. Other priests lay down on the floors of the heard of the Cathedral in similar fashions while a large black flag is flown over their bodies and believers. The ritual represents the passing of the fallen’s spirit to the participants. Locals and visitors alike join in a traditional circuit visit of at least seven churches during Holy Thursday when all churches in Quito are elaborately decorated in celebration of Easter. On Good Friday the majestic procession of the Jesus del Gran Poder is an awe-inspiring interpretation of the Via Crucis with thousands of purple hooded pennants moving the massive march along the streets of the historic center.
Shanghai
In Shanghai seems to have many festivals during these 2 months. If you ask me, I love the first one.
Longhua Temple Fair in March (according to the Chinese calendar), coinciding with spring and gorgeous peach blossom. Longhua Temple Fair, held in Longhua old town, has a long history of more than 300 years. Legend tells that the laughing Buddha was born under the Longhua tree, preached Buddhism and saved people from secular sufferings. This later developed into a temple fair. Today, the fair is the largest folk gathering in eastern China. It is a colorful fair with stalls, folk art, jugglers and stilt walkers, and is made all the more colorful by the blossoming of the peach flowers prevalent in the area at that time. Stalls surround the temple and thousands and thousands of people fight their way to the booths selling every kind of traditional Chinese food, crafts and almost everything else.
As the peach blossom mentioned, that festival is held annually in late March or early April, when the tens of thousands of acres of peach trees in Nanhui District, a suburb of Shanghai, are in glorious bloom. Chinese people have a special love for peaches and for peach blossom, which symbolizes life, growth and prosperity. The flowers are a riot of colour, and this most auspicious of all plants in Chinese culture not only signifies long life, but is considered to be one of the strongest defences against evil. The heart of the Festival is in Huinan town in Nanhui district, at the Chengbei Folk Peach Orchard, which is magnificent at this time of the year.
Moreover, there is the Tea Festival.
The Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival is held annually in late April lasting around one week, promoting all things tea, including a wide variety of teas to taste, competitions and exhibitions, and appealing to visitor and specialist alike. Tea is an integral part of Chinese culture, and this is a great place to explore its history and the traditions that go with it. Hundreds of thousands of tea lovers, experts and tea producers go to Shanghai for the International Tea Culture Festival. It includes impressive tea ceremonies, the opportunity to taste some of the best teas that China has to offer, watch demonstrations of traditional and modern tea making, enjoy related activities spread around town, attend seminars and visit famous tea spots.
Kampala
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find many things accordingly to March and April, but still there are some. However, I have to say that there are lots of traditions and customs annually.
8th March, International Women’s Day. Uganda is promoting the liberation of women that day and through her, it became international. Women in Uganda use this day to celebrate their achievement in many sectors. Female members of Uganda Police & Army march as a part of the International Women’s day celebrations. Some other women dance that day.
We do are connected!
At the end, I found out that we have commons and we can connect and become one. We all love to do those things. We do them in different cities but in the same way.
