Sharing moments together! We have much in common, both yesterday and tomorrow
December is a time of festive expectation and a special month for many cultures, as it includes many celebrations and traditions linked to the arrival of winter, the end of the year, and the celebration of holidays. While December brings similar themes in many cultures around the world, each nationality or religion has its own specificities. One thing we have in common is that this period highlights the values of sharing and caring. Christmas traditions such as gift exchanges, Christmas dinners, and charity projects help us to remember the importance of caring for each other, sharing what we have, and doing our part to make the world a better place. December is also a time for looking back at the year, making plans for the year ahead, and other New Year’s traditions.
We would like to share some recommendations for doing that:
> Notice cultural diversity also on holidays! In December, events are taking place all over Estonia to celebrate different holidays and cultures. For example, you can visit Christmas villages. On 14 and 15 December from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Estonian Open Air Museum will host the Christmas village ‘Shared Christmas’. There will be choir concerts and a Christmas service with reverend Toomas Paul in the Sutlepa chapel, Kolu tavern will offer Christmas food and fair goods, and a coachman will offer horse rides. At the Narva Town Hall Square, you will find the Advent Fair on weekends. Visit the exhibition Inclusion or isolation? Multi-ethnic Estonia in front of the Session Hall of the Riigikogu. The exhibition is dedicated to the Year of Cultural Diversity by the Estonian History Museum and the Integration Foundation. The exhibition looks back on 1925, when the Riigikogu of the time put discussions over the governance of a multi-ethnic state into practice and was the only one in Europe to adopt a law on cultural autonomy. The exhibition is based on the namesake exhibition of the Estonian History Museum, which covers the previous century even more thoroughly and is open in Maarjamäe Palace until March of next year. The exhibition at the Riigikogu is open until the end of January. To view the exhibition, you will need to present an identity document when entering Toompea Castle on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In December or when out and about at other times, pay attention to our cultural diversity. Find a suitable event here. In addition, December is also a chance to celebrate our shared national holidays, from our national heritage and the international calendar.
> Send a Christmas card with the Year of Cultural Diversity stamp! The Year of Cultural Diversity postage stamp and envelope were created in partnership with Eesti Post. This stamp is dedicated to the diversity of Estonian communities and cultures. Sending letters is part of the Estonian culture that brings people together time and again. This postage stamp adds something to the letter that we can celebrate together – our heroes, achievements, and symbols. From today, everyone can share their joys and concerns with a postage stamp that conveys our shared value of cultural diversity. Send a Christmas card with the Year of Cultural Diversity postage stamp to your loved ones and partners.
> Explore the cuisines of the world! What foods are prepared for the holidays in different countries? Estonians have a Christmas tradition of eating blood sausage, sauerkraut, and pork roast. Find out what Christmas foods are eaten in Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sweden, America, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, or even Morocco. Learn more on the Nami-Nami portal.
> Save the date! The Year of Cultural Diversity is not over yet. The closing event of the theme year will take place on Saturday, 18 January 2025 at Viru Keskus in Tallinn. More information to come soon.
> Happy Holidays! More than 260 different mother tongues are spoken in Estonian homes. People of at least 216 different nationalities enrich our daily lives. It is precisely these diverse and distinctive communities that form our shared cultural diversity, which we will celebrate in 2024 – the Year of Cultural Diversity. ‘Happy holidays’ in the different mother tongues spoken in Estonian homes: Häid pühi! Happy Holidays! Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ! Xoş bayramlar! Boas festas! Häid pühi! გილოცავთ შობის დღესასწაულს Felices fiestas! Fijne feestdagen! Buone feste! חג שמח!Мейрам құтты болсын! Gražių švenčių! Priecīgus svētkus! Пуры праздник! Паро эрьгелемачи! Wesołych Świąt! Joyeuses fêtes! God Jul! Schöne Ferien! Hauskaa joulua! Бәйрәм белән! İyi tatiller!Щасливих свят! Yahshi Dam oling! Вясёлых святаў! С праздниками! Hüväd praznikad! Äid pühi! عطلة سعيد Kellemes Ünnepeket! Hüvvä pühhiaigo! Kenasid pühasid! Keni pühi! Hüvvi pühhi! よい休日を God ferie! Nollaig Shona Dhuit! Season's Greetings! Gledelig jul! Hyvie pruasniekkoja! Шог празьник! 좋은 연말연시 보내세요! Καλές γιορτές! Šťastné svátky! Весели празници! 節日快樂छुट्टियों की शुभकामनाएं! Boas festas! Sărbători fericite! Sărbători fericite! Ӟечкыласьком! Happy Holidays! Ид муборак! Ӟечкыласьком!
Let us know about your cultural diversity-related activities! Include your activities in the calendar of the Year of Cultural Diversity or tell us about them by sending an email to 2024@integratsioon.ee.
