Thanksgiving, celebrated annually on the last Thursday of November, is a time for people around the United States to come together in a spirit of appreciation and reflection. It symbolizes peace between differing cultures and allows people to express their thanks to friends, family, and life throughout the year. While Thanksgiving is primarily associated with the United States, other countries express their gratitude with varied traditions and practices.
A great example of this is Erntedankfest, a German holiday commemorating a plentiful harvest with an exquisite festival of food, community, and the harvest crown. This event is closely allied with Protestant and
Catholic Churches, who occasionally sponsor the festival in larger cities and hold many Church services throughout this time. Additionally, the festival is most commonly supported by a parade, music, and the Lanternumzug, a lantern parade that often involves fireworks. This harvest festival is also observed in other European countries, such as Austria and Switzerland.
Asian countries also have a similar version of these festivities. Notably, China celebrates the Mid-Autmum, also known as the Harvest Moon Festival, in accordance with the lunar calendar, typically falling between mid-September to early October. The festival is steeped in mythology, particularly through the legend of Chang’e, a moon goddess. People of Chinese heritage enjoy lantern displays and Mooncakes, which symbolize a full moon and good fortune.
South Koreans take part in Chuseok, which is a holiday where family members gather together to give gratitude to family ancestors and exchange valuable life lessons and stories. Meanwhile, in India, Pongal serves as a harvest festival that commemorates the Sun, the farm animals, and Mother Nature. Often including family gatherings, prayers, and festive dishes, this holiday acts as a means to honor the agricultural cycle for Indian crops.
Together, these diverse harvest festivals integrate to form a melting pot of different cultures and traditions, unified by a common theme of appreciation for family, friends, and life.
