It's a Party Outside the USA: Celebrating IMLP Holidays around the World

Celebrating Guy Fawkes Day in London © BBC One of my favorite parts of the Information Management Leadership Program (IMLP) is its global nature. In our program training, we have the great opportunity to meet IMLPs from all over the world. I have very much enjoyed talking with IMLPs from other countries and learning about their cultures and traditions.

For those of you who have missed the attack of pink & red hearts, today, February 14^th, is Valentine’s Day. In the spirit of this holiday, I’d like to share some other holidays from around the world I have learned about in my conversations with IMLPs. (Yes, this blog post is educational. Yes, you should thank me when you win big money on a game show for knowing what “the traditional foods consumed on Guy Fawkes Day in the UK” are.)

Please read below, get excited about your new wealth of knowledge, and then comment to share your own holiday traditions.

In Japan, New Year’s Day holds special significance and has many traditions associated with it. According to IMLP Kei, who currently resides in Japan:

• It is more common in Japan to send New Year’s cards to family and friends than Christmas cards
• There is a Japanese tradition called “Otoshidama” where children receive money on New Year’s day from their family members
• At midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief 

The longest day of the year has special significance for those residing in IMLP Soheil’s country, Sweden. On this day, the Swedish celebrate one of their most important holidays of the year, Midsommarafton, or Midsummer’s Eve. More about this day:

• It is light outside for almost 24 hours on this day, and many aim to stay up all night
• Children dance and sing traditional songs around a “may pole”
• Food and drink associated with this day include salmon, herring, boiled potatoes, barbeque, and snaps, which have special “snap songs”

An important holiday in Mexico takes places from October 31 – November 2, The Day of the Dead. During this time, family and friends who have died are remembered and celebrated. IMLP Miriam, a native of Mexico, describes a few traditions associated with this time:

• Altars are created to honor the dead and contain those items that the person liked, including food and drink. The altars also have flowers and candles
• At the end of the 3 day celebration, people eat and drink the dishes on the altar after praying and playing music

IMLP Phil states that Bonfire Day, or Guy Fawkes Day, is a holiday unique to his home country, England. This day, Nov 5, celebrates Guy Fawkes’ foiled attempt to bomb the English government. Some traditions on this day include:

• “A ridiculous amount” of fireworks, bonfires, sparklers, and flashy lights
• Eating some traditional dishes including bonfire toffee and toffee apple

 Diwali is one the most important festivals in India. IMLP Ruchika lives in India and reports that Diwali is a four-day celebration in the fall that symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Some interesting notes:

• People fill little clay lamps with oil and wick and light them in rows all over the house
• To match the theme of light, there are traditionally fireworks lit at night
• Those celebrating Diwali are encouraged to gather and socialize with friends and family, exchange gifts, and share home-cooked meals

Do you have any special holiday-related traditions with your friends or family? Please comment below and share them!