I never understood these annual celebrations, like: Carnival, Christmas, Popular Saints ..where everybody is supposed to feel happy and have family and friends to celebrate with. It looked to me like a forced and superficial joy.
Today, these festivities are some of my best memories, part of my childhood, a piece of my culture, part of my life..
Today, I understand how important it is. It is a form to break the routine, the monotony of people's lives.
These celebrations are like a big party where all the people of the country are invited.
In that celebrations everybody forgets their problems, jobs and status and go to the adorned streets to celebrate, to eat, to drink, to play games and dance with the rest of the city's community.
- During the Carnival, people can be whoever they want;
- For the Valentine's day, each one will prepare something special for their sweetheart;
- To celebrate their achievements, groups of woman gather together for diner and fun;
- There's a day for the children to show love and appreciation for their fathers;
- The mother also has her day, when their children express their love and gratitude;
- Even the children have a special day for fun!;
- The religious celebrations where people gather and commemorated with rituals, reflection, specific dishes and sweets;
- The workers have a special day that is national holiday;
- There are days for the commemorations of the country's achievements;
- In the day of the dead, families bring flowers, candles and pray for their loved deceased;
- For Halloween people impersonate monsters and play with the fears of their childhood;
- With the winter, comes Christmas! All the families gather together to cook and eat specific dishes and sweets, and to exchange chocolates and presents!
- Finally, the New Year's Eve! Family and friends welcome the new year with food, drinks, wishes and hopes...
These annual festivities includes and celebrates every single individual of the society and their roles.
These celebrations bring closer the lovers, the families, the friends and the society's community.
These days brings joy and fun to people's lives. They are traditions of many years and reflects the culture and the gastronomy of its people.
Traditions are not necessary, but make the human experience more fascinating.