The Rajan Family Rajan, Aruna, and Abhinaya, 7 Chennai, India Celebrating Diwali
Diwali is India’s biggest and most important annual holiday. Even though they are far from their home in Dehli, India, Aruna Rajan and her husband, Rajan, are excited to share the traditions of this special holiday with their Findlay friends and daughter Abhinaya, 7. “Our friends have become more like family now. This year we are gathering in a common place with each family bringing their own goodies and dishes to share. We will eat, light lamps, and celebrate together.” Diwali is known as the festival of lights because many Indian families light rows and rows of small clay lamps called “diyas” around their homes. The diyas are lit in celebration of the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil. The longer the lamp burns, the more satisfaction or spiritual clarity those lighting the lamp receive. During Diwali, houses are brightly illuminated and inviting. Aruna and her daughter hand-painted clay diyas together this year, paying close attention to draw out the intricate details. There is extensive planning and preparation for the festival of Diwali. Homes are freshly cleaned from top to bottom and repair projects completed. New clothing, including matching accessories, are purchased, dozens of traditional savory and sweet dishes are prepared to be shared with friends or family, and brightly colored decorations are displayed. On the morning of Diwali, the family comes together in the home’s worship room where the eldest member applies oil to each person’s head symbolizing a new beginning and getting rid of any evil or selfishness in that individual. The family then worships and prays to the gods who bring prosperity. That evening, family and friends gather to enjoy a feast of “at least 36 dishes,” laughs Aruna Rajan. “Sweets are the main thing, we always feel when you start with a sweet and end with a sweet everything ends up on a sweet note.” Small fireworks are a common part of the joyful celebration that lasts deep into the night. Diwali 2016 was celebrated this fall.
The Grigorieff Family
Ted, Sofia, and Thea, 2 Italy Italian Christmas with Swedish Influences
It should come as no surprise that food is a big part of the Italian Christmas celebration. In Italy many of the traditions and dishes are dependent on the region in which you live. Sofia Grigorieff, grew up in Abruzzo, Italy combining both her mother’s Swedish traditions with her father’s Italian traditions at Christmastime. “Growing up we celebrated my mom’s Swedish side at Christmas Eve dinner, eating salmon and boiled potatoes with dips,” explains Grigorieff. Christmas Eve is a busy and full time for Italian families, many of whom attend midnight masses at local churches and then “Babbo Natale,” Father Christmas, brings presents to the children. “On Christmas Day, we prepare lasagna and cardone, a local dish prepared with artichoke stems, broth, meatballs, and Parmesan cheese. It started as a very poor dish, just people boiling the artichoke stems, but now people add the meatballs and Parmesan, making it rich and delicious,” she says. Families tune in to the Pope’s Christmas message, which is broadcast on TV from Rome. Huge and often life-sized nativity scenes are a very popular tradition in Italy. Some families devote an entire room of their home to display their nativity sets, including the village of Bethlehem with the markets, shepherds, wise men, three kings and the stable with baby Jesus. “There is a tradition that every church has its nativity on display,” Grigorieff says. “Churches put out complete sets, showcasing statues and pieces from the 1800s. At Christmastime, you go from church to church to see all the different nativities.” This Christmas, Sofia is looking forward to spending time with her family who will be visiting for the holidays and creating new traditions for her 2-year-old daughter, Thea. The Grigorieffs plan to take Thea to see Santa Claus, teach her some Christmas carols, and prepare traditional lasagna– “if I can find authentic ingredients!” says Grigorieff.
www.findlayfamily.com • December 2016 •
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