Holidays without borders

By Megan Zehnder

We have officially entered the holiday season, and international and exchange students at Santa Clara are reminiscing about holiday traditions back home.

These traditions both parallel and counter the American holiday culture of consumerism, food and Santa Claus.

German exchange student Kilian Schramm said that in Germany, Santa Claus is also called St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, often thought of as the historical root for Santa Claus, was a bishop known for his secret gift-giving. He died on Dec. 6, which is now celebrated as his feast day.

Schramm also said in Germany, outdoor markets called Kristkindlmarkts sell "anything that is like European fast food." He said that popular items include, "Flammkuchen, which is kind of like a French crepe, sausages, anything you could imagine from currywurst to schnitzel semmel. Also, warm beer, glühwein (spiced mulled wine and rum) and hot liquor."

But in other countries, Santa Claus is perceived as an image of Western imperialism or consumerism. "Spain, in the last 20 years, (has become a) consumerist society," said Noemí Rivera, an exchange student from the Spanish Basque Country. "You go to the malls and you see pictures of Santa. I don't like the idea that it's imposing, replacing another festivity that takes place here." She said that her parents never grew up with Santa Claus, but modern Spanish children do.

Rivera spoke more enthusiastically about the Spanish traditional celebration of Three Kings' Night on Jan. 6, which commemorates when the three magi brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. "There is a parade in each town in which the people dress up as the king and give presents to the kids."

Rivera says that in addition to the Three Kings, Olentzero, a figure who works with coal and brings presents to the kids, is an important part of Basque Country culture. "He works with coal, so his face is always black and he gives presents to the kids," she said.

Mexico has a similar tradition to the Spanish Three Kings' Night. Aristeo Hernandez, who is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, remembers celebrating El Día de los Reyes Magos, or Day of the Kings.

"Kids there believe in the three wise men," he said. "That's who brings them presents, not Santa. But now, I'm Americanized, so I celebrate Christmas, not the three wise men."

Western influence is seen in Japan as well, says Bob Lee, who is from Yokohama. "Everybody knows about Santa Claus and Christmas," he said. "It's been like that for a while."

Kingshuk Paul, a graduate student from Kolkata, India, is Hindu, but he said it is still common to celebrate Christmas throughout his country. "We kind of go with the flow," he said, "including decorating the Christmas tree, buying gifts for friends and having a dinner." He said that everyone in India knows about Santa Claus, and that children in schools are often taught about Christmas.

In Australia, the only thing that's really different about Christmas is that it's warm and it usually involves barbecuing on the beach, said Australian exchange student Nick Drago.

One thing that most nations have in common when it comes to celebrating the holidays is delicious food. "Christmas is kind of like a big Thanksgiving in Japan," said Lee.

In Spain, it is common to celebrate Christmas Eve with a big family dinner, often with a roasted pig and traditional desserts such as turrón, which is made from almonds.

And in Mexico and Spain, it is common to have a large circular dessert, called the "Rosca De Reyes," or three kings cake, which is topped with fruit and sugar and hides a bean or a small figurine that brings good luck to whoever finds it.

Contact Megan Zehnder at mzehnder@scu.edu.