Here in the U.S., we call him Santa Claus, but he has other names around the world. In German, he's called Kriss Kringle, in the Netherlands Sinter Klaas, and in England he's Father Christmas. In Italy he's Le Befana, the French call him Père Noël, in Russia he's Deushka Moroz, and in Norway they call him Julenisse. And there's more, of course, than what we call things.
Wherever we are in the world, we spend the holiday season according to our own cultural and family traditions. Some are recognizable versions of our own, others less familiar.
Some are remnants of ancient folklore, like in Norway where people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve so the evil spirits can't find them to ride on and cause havoc. In the Philippines children will polish their shoes on Christmas Eve and leave them on window sills, hoping they will be filled with presents and treats during the night. French and Dutch kids put their shoes by the front door or chimney for the same reason. In Switzerland, look out for Schmutzli – the 'anti-Santa' -- who, with a whip and an empty present sack, would set out to deter children from being naughty. A similar figure is the Austrian Krampus, once said to capture the naughtiest children and whisk them away in his sack. Fortunately, today these characters are recreated in a more playful way.
The Jewish Hanukkah, or Festival of Lights, is celebrated by friends and families all over the world with traditional foods, music and dance, games and gifts. Central to the holiday celebration is the lighting of the menorah. On each of the holiday's eight nights, a candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, the Shamash, is used to light the others. Typically, the menorah sits prominently in a window, visible to passersby.
Kwanza, the name derived from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning 'first fruits', is an annual celebration of African-American culture and community held between December 26 and January 1. Similar to the menorah, the kinara is at the heart of Kwanza. Each night one candle is lit, seven in total to represent the seven principles of the tradition.
Of course, there are many other holiday traditions in cultures and faiths across the globe, all of them a reflection of the diversity that makes our world so rich and interesting, many of them deeply rooted in ancient practices.
Now, the challenges of 2020 have led many to create new ways to enjoy the holiday season. A whole range of traditions are being dreamt up and embraced – from Zoom parties and internet cook-offs, to socially distanced sing-alongs and sending e-cards. But no matter where you are in the world, the holiday season is a time for celebration. Even, maybe especially, in 2020.
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Please note the Cultural Center will be closed for two weeks starting this Sunday, December 20th, and will reopen to the public on January 5th with our 2021 Members' Show.
2020 has been a hectic year for all of us and the team will be getting some much needed R&R before popping back into action like the cork from our "goodbye 2020" bottle of bubbly.
Members! Please remember that all artwork for the Member's Show must be dropped off between 10am - 5pm on Monday, January 4.
Next week's MUSE will be all about our education department led by Amy Neill and will highlight what 2021 will bring to YOU!
Happy Holidays from your Cultural Center team!
Bob, Lauren, Amy, Meg, Laura, Becky, and Molly
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What is one class, event, or experience you want in 2021?
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South Yarmouth Library Association hosted the 12 Days of Christmas Stroll on Saturday, and the Cultural Center's "Nine Dancing Ladies" drew people in even with the rain.
Thank you to the “Zany Posse Book Club” for decorating our door!
Elaine Carter
Sandy Evangelous
Debby Faulconer
Joyce Kelleher
Linda Lord
Sue Murray
Mary O’Brien
Dottie Palko
Paula Raczkowski
Kathie Schatz
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Thank you to our sponsor, Mid-Cape Home Centers!
“Everything for Building, Remodeling, and Home Improvement since 1895”
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HOLIDAY SHOPPING
LAST CHANCE!
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ARTISAN GALLERY
The Cultural Center has a wonderful gift shop that highlights the work of Cape and Islands artisans and artists: jewelry, small paintings, tiles, books, pottery, Nantucket Lightship baskets, glass work, clothing, and more. Quality is exceptional, but the prices are reasonable.
Give us a call for a personal shopping experience from the comfort of your own home!
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TURN, TURN TURN
Come enjoy “Turn, Turn, Turn," by the Cape Cod Wood Turners. This incredible exhibition features the combination of art, craft, and science that shows through in each piece of work. The marriage of technique and imagination, different materials, leads to a vast array of results, from tiny delicate goblets to bowls reminiscent of canyons in earth tones and fascinating textures.
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STITCHES Pop Up Shop by the Bass River Knitters is available for a few more days. Lots of adorable pieces for the kids and grandkids! |
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LAST YOGA CLASS FOR 2020
Friday, December 18 from 8:30-9:30am
Yoga for Wise Warriors!
With Lees Yunits
Beginners will be taught basics; more experienced will deepen their knowledge, and all will learn varied ways to enhance their knowing. Lees’s background includes many assorted styles of yoga, including hatha, viniyoga, yin and kundalini. Just as important are the invaluable techniques of breathwork. Always there will be some form of meditation, as well, whether simple stillness, or transcendental, counting, mantra singing, or guided. The whole of a yoga session depends on joining bodywork, breathwork, and meditation. Not to mention some humor here and there! Whether fast or slow, all of Lees’s yoga classes intend to move you forward on your Journey to Joy.
$15 Drop-In, $75.00 - 6 weeks
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LIVE MUSIC (in your living room) |
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Saturday, December 19 at 7pm
A Cape Cod Celtic Christmas Concert
With Stanley & Grimm
Join us for a lovely evening of Christmas songs and tunes Live in your home from the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.
This is a FREE event for our community. All donations for the event will benefit the artists and the ongoing programs at the Cultural Center.
This live stream will happen through our Facebook page or you can click on this link to access it directly. Watch live here!
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
Gourmet Take Out
With Chef Joseph Cizynski
Curbside pick up between 3-4pm
Menu:
- Smoked and pickled fish from Poland
- France Reveillon de Saint-Sylvester (blinis with foie gras)
- Italy Cotechino e lenticche. (garlic sausage with lentil stew)
- For the next day- a Hoppin’ John (black eyed pea stew) that will fix your New Year’s Day hangover
$35 Members, $40 Non-Members
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
ALL EXHIBITIONS CLOSE AT 5PM, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
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Meet the newest addition to our Makerspace
The Glowforge Pro 3D Laser Printer
Classes starting in early 2021!
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Visioning Survey and Third Community Visioning Workshop
Let your voice be heard! Don’t miss the opportunity to let us know your hopes and aspirations for Yarmouth’s future. There are multiple ways to offer your input to the Planning Board:
Survey: Knowing everyone’s time is limited, you may wish to take the on-line Visioning Survey at the link below. This Survey asks the same questions as the Workshop and input is being accepted through January 15, 2021. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M2MZFCW
The survey is also available in Portuguese and Spanish:
Hard copies of the Visioning Survey in all three languages are also available at Town Hall and the Libraries.
Before the Workshop, get the ideas flowing by reviewing the Workshop Worksheets, and the data Summary Sheets on a wide variety of topics to get a better understanding of what is going on in our community.
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