R e l i g i o u s t o u r i s m
Europe – religious festivals in spring
Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing
Corpus Christi in Toledo
cardinal primate of Spain. The city’s historic streets, especially decorated for the occasion, provide the backdrop for this striking procession. The highlights are the Monstrance, a priceless work of craftsmanship in gold and silver dating from 1515 and weighing about 160 kilos; and the distinctive and traditional retinue of followers made up of the different religious fraternities and guilds. Five weeks before the religious procession, the route is decorated with awnings, wreaths and lanterns. The day before the feast of Corpus Christi, walls, windows and balconies are adorned with antique pennants and tapestries from the 16th and 17th century, and the ground is strewn with aromatic herbs whose scent pervades the festive atmosphere of the following days. The procession begins at midday: the bells of Toledo begin to peal, and the first to appear is a group of giants representing the different continents. Then the procession itself leaves the cathedral, bearing the Monstrance and accompanied by the religious guilds in order of antiquity. The struggle between Good and Evil, and between Heaven and Hell are performed in the danzantes y pecados (dancers and devils) in Camuñas. In the processions, the main feature is the Host, and this takes precedence over everything else, being housed in magnificent masterpieces of silverwork which were fashioned by the Arfe family, father, son and grandson (all of whom worked in Spain), in the case of the processions which take place in Toledo, Seville, Córdoba, Santiago de Compostela, Avila, Burgos and Valladolid. If you wish you can watch the proceedings from the seats arranged along the streets by paying in advance at the booth installed in the Zocodover square. You will also have the chance to see the beautiful interior courtyards inside the city’s mansions and stately homes, as these buildings open their doors to the public on the day of the Corpus. There is also a programme of events lasting a week which includes concerts, shows and sports competitions.
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orpus Christi falls on the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday (60 days after Easter). The festival of Corpus Christi celebrates the Eucharist as the body of Christ. The name ‘Corpus Christi’ is Latin for ‘the body of Christ’. This jubilant festival is celebrated by Roman Catholics to proclaim the truth of the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the actual body of Christ during Mass. In some countries in the world, Catholic churches still celebrate the festival, not only with a Mass, but also with a procession that carries the consecrated wafer through the streets as a public statement that the sacrifice of Christ was for the salvation of the whole world. The festival was inspired by the religious experience of St Juliana (1193-1258), a Belgian nun, who dreamed repeatedly of the Church under a full moon with a black spot. According to legend, the dream was interpreted to her in a vision by Christ. The moon, she said, was the Church’s calendar of festivals and the black spot was the lack of a festival to celebrate the holiest element of the Church – the Eucharist. Juliana shared this with her local bishop, who in 1246 issued a decree for such a festival to be celebrated in his territory. The festival took an additional meaning in Spain, since it was always attended by the secular rulers of the area. The procession in Madrid was joined by the King and/or Queen, as well as senior nobles. This symbolized the unity of the sacred and secular powers, and linked both in victory over outsiders. Corpus Christi is Toledo’s most important festival and one of its oldest. This religious procession is celebrated on the day of the Corpus Christi and presided by the Archbishop of Toledo,
http://www.spain.info http://www.flyertalk.com http://www.bbc.co.uk
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day On
Whatever the weather, St. Patrick’s Day was generally regarded as the middle day of spring. And, as the good saint had promised improved weather from March 17th onward, this was the time Ireland’s farmers planted the main potato crop. Delaying this work long after the feast day would have been regarded by the neighbors as slovenly or lazy. That said, no-one expected any work to be done on the big day itself! While we don’t celebrate the way our ancestor’s did, one custom has come down to us – the wearing of the Shamrock. I can well remember my mother joyfully opening the little package from her family in Dublin. It came every year, right before the feast day. Inside, was a sprig of live shamrock which she quickly plunged into tepid water; within a few minutes, it looked nearly as fresh as when it had been picked. Before he went to work on March 17th, my father tucked the shamrock into his cap. Not to be left out, the little package also contained badges for the children. These usually featured a gold harp surrounded by tiny shamrocks on a white background. My mother pinned these to our outfits and she always managed to find a lovely green ribbon for my hair. We never wore any more green than that – to do so, according to my mother, would have been too great a temptation for the fairies! She was a firm believer in the old superstition that green was their favorite color and they’d spirit away any child garbed in green. Meanwhile, back in the Ireland of our an-
17th March each and every year St. Patricks day is celebrated all over the world with elaborate parades; families tuck into the traditional dinner of corned beef and cabbage; and, in the pubs, the green beer flows swifter than the River Shannon. It’s odd to think that just a short time ago, none of the most popular customs we often take for granted even existed. In fact, today’s celebrations are very different from the way they once were, in Ireland long ago. While St. Patrick’s Day is now a national holiday, as well as a religious feast day, a few hundred years ago, the emphasis was on spirituality and a much needed break from the austerities of Lent. Families would attend Mass, and every youngster proudly wore a St. Patrick’s Cross. The week before the festival, children busied themselves in the making of the crosses, which differed, depending on whether you were a boy or a girl. The boy’s cross consisted of a three-inch square of white paper on which was drawn a circle divided by elliptical lines. Each compartment was shaded in with a different color. For yellow, an egg yolk was often used; green could be had by chewing young grass; laundry blue provided another shade; and red, well, it was a cross for a little boy and one can only imagine how proud he must have been to sacrifice a few drops of blood in honor of St. Patrick! Come the big day, the finished cross was jauntily worn, military style, on his cap. While the cross for a boy was quite simple, the one for his sister was a bit fancier. It was formed by placing two three-inch pieces of cardboard or stiff paper at right angles to each other. To hold them in position, they were wrapped with ribbons of different colors and then a green rosette was placed in the center. The proper way for a girl to wear her cross was either pinned at the right shoulder or on her chest. And, speaking of proper, it would have been considered a major faux pas for a girl to wear a boy’s cross or vice versa. Besides the crosses for children, there was another type which was made only by the menfolk. This was formed out of twigs from wild sallow and, as with the St. Brigid’s Cross, it was pinned to the thatch on the inside of the house. Each year a new one would be added. With all of their crosses prepared, children went to bed on the eve of March 17th happy and contented – as did the adults.
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing was the Viennese Waltz. On that St. Patrick’s Day, I received my first ballroom dancing lesson and, unfortunately, I did very poorly. «Daughter, yer too stiff,» he said. You bet I was – stiff with fear that I’d make a fool of myself. As hard as I tried to relax, it was impossible. But, he twirled me around until the dance was over and then gave me a hug. It was the first and last time we danced together. To this day, I can’t hear a waltz without being reminded of what a beautiful dancer he was.
cestors, when Mass was over, the mother and children would hurry back to the house to begin preparing the feast. Just as quickly, the men headed for the pub to drink the ‘pota Padraig’ or St. Patrick’s Pot. This term is rarely heard today, but it continued in fairly general use until quite recently and was also applied to any treat given to friends, or gifts of money or sweets given to children. After one (or more!) St. Patrick’s Pots, the menfolk hurried home to the feast. Usually, the good wife would have earmarked a nice piece of cured pork. Corned beef and cabbage? Not back then, and not even now is this a traditional St. Patrick’ s Day dinner! It’s a custom that was begun by emigrants who, in longing for their native land, tried to create a meal that would remind them of home. And so, the dinner of long ago would most likely have been similar to the one I remember when I was growing up. Dad would have brought home a nice piece of boiled bacon which was more like ham. This would be served with floury potatoes cooked in their jackets. Often, we did have cabbage and I well remember that we might go through nearly a pound of butter at one sitting. Who could resist when there was warm soda bread on the side! When dinner was over, many families either went to a caeli or held one in their homes. The musical instruments stored away on Shrove Tuesday were brought out and the evening was spent in singing, dancing, telling stories – and yes, the drinking continued! After all, there were still several weeks of fasting and abstinence ahead, so it was the order of the day to overindulge. No doubt, the children were ill from eating too many sweets, and their parents probably suffered from sore heads the next day. In the eyes of the church, this would have been a most appropriate penance! At the end of the evening, there was one last custom to observe: ‘drowning the Shamrock. ’ A leaf that had been worn in the cap or coat was placed into the bottom of the final glass. When everyone’s health had been drunk or a toast honored, the shamrock was taken from the bottom of the glass and thrown over the left shoulder. Also, in some parts of Southern Ireland, a cross was marked with the end of a burnt stick on the sleeve of each person at the gathering. This was done with a prayer that the individual so marked might be constant in their faith and in their love of Ireland’s patron saint. So there you have it – A typical St. Patrick’s Day Celebration as it might have taken place in Ireland two or three hundred years ago. Did they have more fun than we do now? It’s a matter of opinion. I know that I miss going to the Morris Hall with my folks on the evening of March 17th. I was enthralled by the music and the dancing. With mixed emotions, I do recall one very special evening when my father asked me to dance. I was about 14 at the time and he’d never invited me to take the floor with him. He’d won medals for ballroom dancing and his specialty
Until next time, Happy St. Patrick’s Day and a toast to you and yours: St. Patrick was a gentleman Who through strategy and stealth Drove all the snakes from Ireland, Here’s a toasting to his health; But not too many toastings Lest you lose yourself and then Forget the good St. Patrick And see all those snakes again. Bridget Haggerty http://www. 2camels. com/saint-patricks-day.php
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing
Buddha Day – Visakha Puja (Vesak) forms with profound gentleness and kindness as the Buddha expressly forbade the use of force. The practice of Buddhism was adapted in many ways to suit the nature of the various cultures that accepted it. As a result of this, Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. But in essence many practices have become universal. This sacred day is purely a religious festival, and not a festive occasion. On this day all Buddhists are expected to reaffirm their faith in the Buddha Dhamma and to lead a noble religious life. It is a day for meditation and for radiating Loving-Kindness.
How to Celebrate Vesak On Vesak day, devout Buddhists are expected to assemble in various temples before dawn for the ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist Flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dhamma (His teachings), and The Sangha (His disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their great teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind us that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, life is subject to decay and destruction in similar manner as the flowers, candles and joss-sticks. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries notably Sri Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesak and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during the two days. Birds and animals are also released by the thousands in a symbolic act to liberation, of giving freedom to those who are in captivity. However, it is not recommended that birds be released in the heart of crowded cities, because by doing so we may cause harm to the poor bewildered birds which are unable to fly far after a long period of captivity. Unscrupulous bird dealers would recapture such birds for resale to well meaning devotees. If birds are to be released it is recommended that this be done in rural areas where the birds can achieve real freedom. Some devout Buddhists will wear simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the observance of the Eight Precepts. Devout Buddhists understand how to lead a noble life according to the Teaching by making a daily affirmation to observe the five Precepts. However, on special days, notably new moon and
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he decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha’s birthday was taken at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W. F. B. ) held in Sri Lanka in 1950. The Resolution that was adopted at the World Conference reads as follows: – «That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity. Hence on Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events: The Birth, Enlightenment and the Passing Away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India to all parts of the world, the teachings were readily assimilated with the cultures of the people who accepted the teachings. As a result, Buddhist art and culture took on a rich variety of
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing full moon days, they observe additional disciplines to train themselves to practice morality, simplicity and humility. These Precepts are: 1. Not to kill 2. Not to steal 3. To observe celibacy 4. Not to indulge in wrong speech 5. Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs 6. To abstain from taking food at unreasonable time 7. To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment 8. To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility. Devotees are expected to listen to talks given by monks. On this day monks will recite verses uttered by the Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, to invoke peace and happiness for the Government and the people. Buddhists are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha had taught. Bringing Happiness to Others Celebrating Vesak also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this end, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Vesak is also a time for great joy and happiness. But this joy is expressed not by pandering to one’s appetites but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to devotees who visit the temple to pay homage to the Blessed One.
one to lead a more religious life. Unfortunately some Buddhist groups have become over-zealous in their construction of floats and tend to lose sight of the real meaning of Vesak. They waste enormous sums of hard-earned money simply on ostentatious floats and decorations when this money could be much better utilised for spreading the Dhamma and for charitable acts to relieve the sufferings of others. It would be best if the floats procession is confined to a single reasonably and tastefully decorated float. Temples are also decorated modestly in good taste so as to encourage people to visit the temple to attend the religious services and not merely to view the decorations. Vesak would be much more meaningful if people are encouraged to understand more about Buddhism, to practice charity, to meditate in order to train the mind, to abstain form cruelty and to uphold spiritual upliftment. People must practise Loving-Kindness and Understanding. Proper Way To Pay Homage to the Buddha The Buddha Himself has given invaluable advice on how to pay homage to Him. Just before He passed away, He saw His faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even His own body) must disintegrate. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to Him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by using this opportunity to reiterate our determination to lead noble lives, to develop our mind, to practice loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to mankind. A similar holiday, called Hanamatsuri or «Flower Festival», is celebrated in Japan on April 8. However, Hanamatsuri commemorates only the Buddha’s birth. In Hong Kong, Macao and South Korea, the 8th day of the fourth moon in the Chinese calendar is a public holiday, as the «Buddha’s Birthday».
Float Procession In recent years many Buddhist groups have taken to organising processions with decorated floats carrying the image of the Buddha to celebrate Vesak. Although there is really no such tradition in strictly Buddhist countries, there is no harm in it at all, if such a procession helps to increase one’s devotion and helps
http://www. countmeincalendar.info
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing
Navrus in Usbekistan
In
Persian, Navruz means «new day», or «a new day of the new year», to be precise. This day is celebrated on March 21st, which is on the day of vernal equinox, and it symbolizes the beginning of a calendar year in such countries as Iran, Afghanistan, in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey, as well as in some countries of Central Asia. In Uzbekistan Navruz is considered to be an official holiday, however the New Year Day is celebrated in accordance with the European calendar. For all the nations spring is the time of nature revival and renovation, the period of expectations and hope for peace between people, for bumper harvest in the fields and gardens and good increase in livestock, for love and consent in family. And all these expectations are embodied in spring festival Navruz. At present hundreds of millions of people throughout Central Asia and Middle East celebrate the ancient holiday of Navruz. Sometimes it is mis-
takenly related to Muslim holidays. And though the holiday is really celebrated throughout the Muslim world, it has nothing to do with Islam. It is already proved that this festival is inherited from the ancient civilizations. In the 5th century B. C. Iranian people were familiar with this festival. This is how ancient Greek historian Strabonus described the celebration of Navruz: «Since ancient times until today people of Transoxiana have assembled in the Temple of Fire on this very day. This is the most sacred holiday during which traders close their shop and craftsmen stop their work. Everybody is having fun, treating each other to the drinks and food that were touched by fire». The earliest data about celebration of Navruz on the territory of Uzbekistan can be traced in Chinese «Chronicles of Tan Dynasty», which date back to the 7th century. From the times this holiday originated, Navruz was mainly the festival of masses; spontaneous
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Februar y, 2007
R e l ig iou s tou r i sm : Europe – relig i ou s fe stiv al s in spr ing • Celebrated on March 21st, Navrus is one of Uzbekistan’s most colorful and vibrant festivals. • Navrus means ‘new day’ in Persian and commemorates the beginning of the New Year. • The highlight of Navrus is the making of sumalak, a brown, caramel-like paste, which is made from the first shoots of wheat.
and basically pagan. And it has been preserved as such up to the present days. During this festival there are no official events such as parades, demonstrations, meetings or marches. Time and again there were the attempts to ban the holiday. For example, Arabian conquerors believed that the cheerful mood of the holiday did not blend with orthodox Islam. Bolsheviks were next to prohibit the holiday, viewing it as the relic of the religious past. People did not argue but continue to cook sumalaq, the symbolic Navruz dish. It is its mass character when each participant of this event becomes a part of the general elation that has prevented Navruz from falling into oblivion. After Uzbekistan became an independent state, Navruz gained huge popularity. It is significant that one of first acts of the new state authorities imparted a status of nationwide official holiday to Navruz. As any celebration of the new year day, Navruz is, first of all, a merry festival. But unlike European New Year Day, Navruz is celebrated in the daytime. It is an old tradition to gather for hashar (team-work) few days before the beginning of the festival. During hashar they tidy up and decorate their cities and villages, because it is natural enough to celebrate the holiday in clean and tidy surroundings. By the time the celebration starts all cooking of holiday food is to be completed too. On the day of the festival different national dishes are served up: pilov (meat dish with rice), shurpa (vegetable soup), boiled mutton or beef, kuk-samsa (patty with spring onions) and sweet nishalda (dessert made of eggs whisked with sugar). But the culmination of the holiday is sumalaq – a ritual meal, which citizens of our republic can taste once a year, whereas the guests, very likely, can do it once in their life. Sumalaq is made from flour and wheat sprouts, which are the symbols of eternal life. Sumalaq-making is a long process: it is cooked for 24 hours until it becomes a viscous mass. Special large pots are used, with round small stones covering the bottom of the pot to protect the sweet mass from getting burnt. Cooking of sumalaq as an ancient ritual has its own peculiarities; traditionally only women used to make it. It is notable that sumalaq-making process is accompanied by women’s singing of special short verses, dancing, joking, telling either true or cock-and-bull stories. The ready-to serve sumalaq becomes a good treat for relatives, guests and neighbours. Local people believe that it is a good omen if you find a small stone in your sumalaq dish: it means you will be lucky and healthy till the next Navruz.
Meanwhile, in the parks and squares surrounded by blossomed trees the general merry-making starts. The traditional personages, Bahor-Hanum (Spring), Dehkan-Bobo (Old farmer), Momo-Er (the Earth), accompanied by musicians, drive along the streets in the car decorated with the flowers, and invite everybody to the central square, where the main celebration takes place. Following old traditions, Navruz is the day when people forgive each other’s resentment; make it up with each other. Many people call on those who are poor, lonely or disabled, take care of them, and give them small gifts. In fact, the celebration of Navruz lasts the whole month. As a well-known poetic work by a prominent oriental philosopher and poet Omar Hayam states: «He who celebrates and has fun on the day of Navruz will spend his life cheerfully until the next Navruz celebration” . http://www. sairamtour. com
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