Re: Country Related: Christmas

[Andrew Smith <hobbit@MAIL.EARTHLIGHT.CO.NZ>]

On Tue, 22 Dec 1998, Padraic Brown wrote:

> Well, I got that one wrong, eh? :-)  Well I suppose them city chappies up
> north would have to commercialise everything, wouldn't they? ;-)  So what
> goes on Calen Ianar?
>
The celebration of a Western-style Christmas is even penetrating Russia,
if the Russians can't withstand Festive Imperialism then I doubt anyone
can.  Celebrations of Noeth Calen date back to the middle ages when
stories describe the new year feasts of the Emperor Arthur.  It's an
excuse to stay up late and party majorly - the less one remembers in the
morning the better the night obviously was.  Whereas Nadelig is a time for
families to get together, Noeth Calen is an opportunity for people to be
on the streets waiting to hear the clocks chime at midnight.

- andrew.

Andrew Smith, Intheologus                       hobbit@earthlight.co.nz
Q. Why are there so many Smiths in the Phone Book?
A. Because they all have telephones!

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