What's up! CM Flint here.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love holidays?

I recently came across some interesting news.

October 1st has been designated as a new temporary holiday in South Korea!

That got me thinking, how much do our readers know about holidays around the world?

Also, I noticed that people even plan trips around big holiday periods in other countries.

So today, I’m going to introduce you to some special holidays celebrated in different parts of the world.

1. Hanukkah

If you know only a bit about Judaism, you might have heard of this holiday.

Hanukkah falls on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, which corresponds to November or December.

It is sometimes referred to as the "Jewish Christmas."

It’s a hugely popular event, particularly in the U.S., where it’s celebrated over eight days.

In fact, it’s so well-known in the U.S. that even the current President Joe Biden himself

participated in the Hanukkah celebrations at the White House.

Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the Temple’s eternal flame

after the Jews reclaimed their ancient temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE.

Though there was only enough oil to light the flame for one day,

it miraculously stayed lit for eight days until new oil was found.

That’s why the celebration lasts eight days.

This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from December 25, 2024, to January 2, 2025.

2. Diwali (or Deepavali)

If there is Thanksgiving day in the U.S., India has Diwali.

This is the biggest festival in India, held in October or November during the month of Kartika on the Hindu calendar.

It usually lasts for five days and is not only celebrated in India but also in Hindi countries like Singapore,

where Hinduism has a significant influence.

Diwali is one of the most popular festivals for Hinduists,

symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

During the festival, people light up their homes, temples, and public spaces with oil lamps called "diya," candles, and lanterns.

In particular, Hindus engage in oil baths as a morning ritual during this period.

The religious significance of Diwali varies depending on the region of India.

3. Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Commonly shortened to "Eid," it signifies the "breaking of the fast" and is celebrated with grand feasts and gatherings.

In some places, like Turkey and Indonesia, Eid can last up to a week, filled with festivities, food, and celebration.

On the morning of Eid, Muslims gather at special prayer grounds or large mosques to offer

prayers of gratitude for the successful completion of the fast.

This collective prayer takes place between sunrise and noon.

After the prayer, families visit relatives and friends, share grand meals, and exchange gifts,

similar to how Koreans celebrate Chuseok or Lunar New Year. In the evening,

these gatherings continue with more visits and food sharing.

Today, I introduced a few holidays from around the world that you might not be familiar with.

I noticed that many of these significant holidays are rooted in religion.

It’s interesting how these traditions are celebrated with such importance in different parts of the world.

I’m sure many of you are already preparing for the Chuseok holiday here in Korea,

one of the biggest celebrations alongside the Lunar New Year. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

If you’ve ever experienced holidays in other countries, feel free to share your stories in the comments!

I’ll be back with another post soon.

Thank you!