February is a unique time of year, as several cultural holidays are celebrated across the globe. The lovers’ holiday, Valentine’s Day, arrives on the 14th, where partners may receive flowers, go out for a nice dinner or have a day to celebrate their relationship. Lunar New Year follows on the 17th, with red envelopes, dragons and good food for all. The dawn-to-sunset fast of Ramadan on the 17th and the forty-day journey of sacrifice, Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, both share themes of reordering and controlling your desires through the giving up of luxuries or common habits.
Although each and every one is different, they all share themes of reflection, renewal and gratitude. As people celebrate these holidays, they are connected through these common themes and find unity. At school, our tight knit community is a primary example. Whether it’s having a hard time sitting through class on an empty stomach or resisting old habits, knowing that there are other people around you going through the same thing and holding you accountable might help get you through the day. So, talk to other people at school. Maybe you celebrate the same holiday or can make a new friend to learn new traditions from and celebrate with!
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Petra Brackett (I): “We […] weren’t both here for Valentine’s Day, but [on] the Thursday before, we went out for dinner. I bought him […] matching necklaces, and then he bought me flowers and paid for the dinner.”
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Aliana Kowalczyk (I): “Usually around Easter, my family here in Boston will drive up to see our grandparents, and our cousins will come. So it’s nice to see our extended family that we don’t see day-to-day.”
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Faye Nazarchuk (I): “One of my favorite holidays [that] I celebrated recently is Purim. I really enjoy Purim. I have been celebrating it since I was really little. It is a Jewish holiday […] I celebrate with my mom, and it’s a really good time.”
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Sarah Cao (III): “We had an event in school for Lunar New Year, […] and we did calligraphy and wrote different types of Chinese banners with lucky phrasing on them. […] Personally, my family stays up until midnight, and we pray to our ancestors […] for good luck and burn incense.”
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Quinn Heapes (III): “Our […] tradition has been celebrating holidays together for three years now. For romantic holidays, we usually go out for lunch or dinner. This year, [for Valentines Day], we got pho and went to watch a movie.”
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Peace Okafor (IV): “The most important thing [is] being with my family, cooking and just doing stuff together.”
