Scandinavians celebrate St. Lucy & reaching South Pole

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 & WEDNESDAY, DECEMER 14:
St. Lucy’s Day & 100th anniversary of Norwegian Roald Amundsen reaching the South Pole.

Rooney Mara as the new tattooed girl.Scandinavians have a lot to celebrate this holiday season! Culturally, their murder mysteries are the toast of American literary circles. The New York Times continues to celebrate the genius of the late Stieg Larsson, even as American moviegoers await the opening of a new English-language movie version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. An earlier trilogy of movies in Swedish, starring Noomi Rapace, already has been released on DVD and Blu-ray and Larsson’s tattoo novels have sold millions of copies in English. A long NYTimes story on Sunday raved about filmmaker Dennis Fincher, who created this new English-language movie from the Larsson stories, starring Rooney Mara. Now, a whole array of other Scandinavian murder-mystery writers have crossed the Atlantic to find eager audiences in English.
So, Scandinavia is red hot for murder, these days!
But this week brings two more traditional Scandinavian milestones …

Greet St. Lucy’s Day with Lights and Delicious Cookies

ST. LUCY’S DAY PROCESSION. Wikimedia Commons.TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13: Even American children, who read picture books or enjoy TV specials about Christmas traditions around the world, are familiar with this vivid image: Around St. Lucy’s Day, a beautiful Scandinavian girl appears wearing a wreath of greenery and lit candles atop her head.

Older girls who enjoy the imaginative realm of American Girls—the books, dolls and accessories—are familiar with Swedish-American Kirsten Larson, who wore the candles and played the role of St. Lucia in her family’s celebration. If you’re looking for a copy of that specific Kirsten book, it’s called Kirsten’s Surprise, the front cover shows Kirsten decked out for the holiday and it’s now available from Amazon. 

The “real” St. Lucy was an early Christian martyr to the Roman campaign of anti-Christian terror prior to Emperor Constantine’s decision to encourage Christianity. (Traditional accounts say she died about 304 and Constantine’s Edict of Milan came in 313.) December 13 is her official feast day for Christians worldwide, but she really is a unique star in Scandinavia. Given Scandinavia’s Protestant history and general secularism, St. Lucy literally shines as a bright light among saints in this region. She is one of few saints still widely recognized in Scandinavia, although her feast-day customs now are mingled with pagan roots of winter festivals and other fondly celebrated cultural lore. For example, Scandinavian culture once identified Dec. 13 as the darkest and longest night of the year. (Modern calendars place the Winter Solstice later, of course, but St. Lucy’s Day still has that mid-winter association for Scandinavian families.)

ST. LUCY BUNS: Among the other popular customs still observed in many communities are the baking and distribution of St. Lucy Buns, a traditionally shaped pastry made with raisins and saffron. Global Gourmet has a yummy Lussekatter recipe you’ll enjoy.

MAKE A NORWEGIAN HAPPY: CELEBRATE AMUNDSEN CENTENNIAL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14: Sometimes, good guys do finish last—even when they finish first. That’s certainly true of the first explorer to reach the South Pole: Roald Amundsen, who tapped his foot on the spot December 14, 1911. Across Scandinavia—and across the UK as well—people are abuzz about this centennial. Here in the U.S.? You’d be hard pressed to find much public interest in the midst of the all-Christmas holiday tidal wave.

Roald Amundsen is most famous for launching a South Pole Expedition that wound up becoming a “Story of the Century” when it turned out that two teams were vying for this goal—and the British team under Capt. Robert Scott tragically died on their return trip. Not only was Scott beaten to the global distinction by Amundsen, but his heart-breaking story of perishing in an ice-enclosed camp was preserved in Scott’s diaries. In the U.S. after these events came to light and Scott’s diaries were recovered, silent filmmakers produced cinematic versions of the tragedy, books for adults were published and even picture books for children about Scott’s misadventures were produced. How could Amundsen hope to compete with that bittersweet popularity? In the UK this week, the newspaper The Independent says it all in a headline about the Amundsen centennial that proclaimed: Everybody Loves a Winner, but We Like a Trier Even More. The British are abuzz about the whole centennial story because the BBC has been broadcasting a multi-part mini-series about polar exploration, pegged to stir public interest in the Scott centennial in March, 2012. (The Brits won’t be marking the centennial of Scott’s crossing of the South Pole; rather, they’ll mourn his icy death on March 29, 2012, at the age of 43.) Although the main British interest is in Scott, the Independent also also published a fascinating story and photos about Amundsen’s region of Norway.

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Anniversary: CNN Turns 30—And Acknowledges Belief

TUESDAY, JUNE 1: It’s been 30 years since the world was introduced to CNN, which originally was a U.S. cable-TV news network that now has branched out in many digital directions and ranks as a top global “destination” for news. (Click here to visit CNN.com.) When the first newscast was aired on June 1, 1980, CNN was the only network to feature 24-hour news coverage; today, more than 70 other television networks have followed suit and launched their own round-the-clock coverage. CNN is available in more than 90 million U.S. households, and its counterpart, CNN International, can be viewed in more than 200 countries around the globe. (More details are at Wikipedia.)

Less than two weeks ago, CNN officially acknowledged the significant role that religion plays in people’s lives when it launched the CNN Belief Blog, a blog that covers the faith angles of the day’s biggest stories. According to CNN’s Dan Gilgoff, a co-editor of the blog, “We believe that understanding the role of faith in today’s world isn’t optional or nice to know. It’s need to know.” (Access the blog here.)

In his statement concerning the blog, Gilgoff points out that to understand many news stories, we need to understand faith. Here at ReadTheSpirit, we say: Right! (And since you’re reading this column, you’re already ahead of the game! Bravo to you for taking the time to learn about the holidays and observances that shape life around the world.) In his statement, Gilgoff also notes something that David Crumm, founding editor of ReadTheSpirit, continues to emphasize: The faith sections of many major newspapers and magazines are quickly disappearing. Reading about religion helps us to understand our world, our neighbors and co-workers.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)

Anniversary: South African Centennial Includes Interfaith Milestones

Archbishop Desmond TutuMONDAY, MAY 31: While millions of Americans are marking Memorial Day, we must note that today is an important day in another part of the world, too: South Africa. On this date in 1910, the Union of South Africa was created. Although many regard the formation of the Union as a negative event, due to its history of racial inequity (read a detailed history at Wikipedia), many South Africans are using the occasion to focus on the Republic of South Africa’s progress toward equity, justice and religious diversity. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, religion has specifically played an important part in this process.

In 1999, two significant interfaith events happened in South Africa: one, the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative was organized; and two, Cape Town hosted the 1999 Parliament of the World’s Religions. On May 20 of this year, the Interfaith Initiative celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and on the same day, Archbishop Tutu addressed the bid cities for the 2014 Parliament of the World’s Religions. (Read more from the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.) In his speech, Archbishop Tutu emphasized the “critical importance” that the Parliament had—and still has—on the city of Cape Town. The Rev. Dirk Ficca, executive director of the Parliament council, explained his strong support: “Since his extraordinary leadership in the effort to dismantle Apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Tutu has been an icon of the interreligious movement. With the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, Desmond Tutu has been in the forefront of the ongoing task to create a more just and equitable society in South Africa. Like Archbishop Tutu, we are immensely proud of the role the 1999 Cape Town Parliament played in this historic process of national reconciliation.”

As part of the May 20 celebrations, another interfaith element was brought to Cape Town: the Charter for Compassion. (More on this event is at the Charter for Compassion website.) In 2009, Charter for Compassion creator Karen Armstrong worked with Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama to promote this interfaith appeal for peace. The charter “lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions,” according to Armstrong, in that we should treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. More than 47,000 people around the world have affirmed the charter so far, and as of May 20, it was launched in South Africa.

ReadTheSpirit is involved in all of this, including our co-sponsorship of the Charter for Compassion. And, we’ve just published an important series of articles about recent work Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu have been doing with “Made for Goodness,” their new book sharing South African wisdom on finding courage, goodness and joy in daily life.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)

Anniversary: All Aboard For Bible studies and Buddha sites

MONDAY, MAY 24: Get your ticket to ride, because it was 180 years ago today that the first passenger railroad in the United States began service. On May 24, 1830, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad began service between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland. According to the B and O Railroad Museum, the Railroad became the first chartered railroad in the United States when 20,000 investors purchased $5 million in stock to import the rolling stock and build the line. Several managerial methods were established during the process of funding and building the B and O Railroad—many of which became standard and are still used today. (The B and O Historical Society has more.)

Americans may not ride as many steam locomotives as they used to, but railroads remain popular today—in a more modern, high-tech form! Railways are also used by many people around the world, as efficient transportation becomes a necessity. The official website of railway technology reports that, among other things, a recent study found that Brazil must invest $22 billion to meet the growing demand of its people for freight transportation in the coming years. Southern Sudan is planning to build a $7 billion high-speed railway to Uganda, and Railways Africa keeps up to date on the growing railway industry across the continent.

Religion is often intricately connected with people’s lives around the world. As technologies advance, religion is often a part of them. On the railroad front, the Mahaparinirvan Express is a specialized tourist train that transports passengers on a spiritual tour through Buddhist India. The Mahaparinirvan Express journeys to several pilgrimage sites, including the place where Buddha was born, the location of his enlightenment, the place where he preached and the place where he passed away. The train derives its name from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, which contains Buddha’s final explanation of his teachings.

The British developed a mission in 1881 known as the Railway Mission, a chaplaincy service for their rail industry. Through the Railway Mission, any railway employee who desires “spiritual advancement” or aid is contacted by a chaplain; prayer groups, Bible study groups and conferences are all a part of the organization. The Railway Mission is also the primary partner of the National Rail Chaplaincy Service, an organization created to provide chaplains England, Scotland and Wales. Israel, too, is a hub of railway activity, and in 2008, it was reported that more than 35 million passengers traveled by train. A new route from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem is expected to open in 2015, for which travel time is cut to 30 minutes. (Read the full article on Aish.com, a Jewish site.) The Railway Museum at the Haifa east station in Israel is a neat site, too: the museum is host to Parlor car #98, a railway car that was built in 1922 for figures such as Winston Churchill, Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafarian Messiah Haile Selassie and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium.

Want to enjoy an inspirational story about a railroad trek across India? Read Shahina Begg’s story of circling the world, then crossing India by train, in the hope of connecting her family that appeared to be divided between two faiths.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)

Catholic Christian: Pardon My French, Joan, But …

Joan of Arc’s statue stands in Notre Dame Cathedral, where she was beatified in 1909SUNDAY, MAY 16: It’s been just 90 years since the canonization of Joan of Arc, the young woman who led French troops to victory and was martyred at the tender age of 19. Joan of Arc was excommunicated from the Church prior to being burned at the stake. Ironically, that excommunication was annulled and she was officially declared a martyr just a few decades later—but she didn’t earn sainthood for centuries afterward! (Wikipedia has more on her canonization.) Joan of Arc was beatified at Notre Dame Cathedral in 1909, and then canonized 11 years later by the Roman Catholic Church. St. Joan of Arc’s feast day is May 30.

Joan of Arc was born in 1412 to a peasant-class French family, and family members attest that she was always piously religious. (Gale Cengage Learning dedicates a full page to her life.) From a very young age, Joan says she heard three voices: That of St. Michael, the saint to whom many pray to for help in battle, and those of St. Catherine and St. Margaret, two women who were martyred on behalf of the Church. Although the voices gave general statements at first, they soon came to announce something bigger. In May, 1428—when Joan was 16—she says the saints told her to approach the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. During Joan’s life, the King of England coveted the French throne, and Joan said she was given orders to help protect it.

After facing much opposition, then-17-year-old Joan raised the siege of Orleans with a small army in 1429. Joan’s armies continued to taste victory, and during her success, the King of France was able to be crowned. (Catholic.org has the Catholic perspective.) Just a year later, however, the infamous leader was captured and sold to the English. After enduring months of imprisonment, torture and hunger—from which the King of France did not come to aid her—Joan was tried in court. Peter Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, anticipated rising even further in the Church with the help of the English, and he declared her a heretic on their behalf. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. (Learn about the International Joan of Arc Society here.)

Just one year after her death, the city of Orleans, France, commemorated Joan’s death. Three years later, a religious play dedicated to Joan was performed in Orleans—a tradition that continues, in some places, to this day. (Wikipedia lists the extensive number of places Joan has been featured in cultural history.) Secular historians of the mid-19th century sparked interest in the canonization of Joan, and on May 16 of 1920, more than 30,000 people attended her canonization ceremony in Rome. (Read the official pronouncement here.) More than 140 descendants of Joan of Arc’s family were present at the ceremony.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)

Anniversary: Envision Mountain Goats For This Centennial

The Mountain Goat is the official symbol of Glacier National ParkTUESDAY, MAY 11: You may be hearing a lot about Montana today—and we’re not talking about Hannah Montana, the Disney superstar—we’re talking about the 100th anniversary of the designation of Glacier National Park, in Montana! On this date in 1910, Glacier National Park was designated as the 10th national park in the United States. Today comprised of more than 1,000,000 acres, sections of two mountain ranges, more than 1,000 different plant species—the original mountains of Glacier National Park were forming 170 million years ago. (Wikipedia has more.) The ancient structure of Glacier National Park is home to what many consider to be some of the best examples of early life on Earth, since they are fossilized so well. Despite the massively shrinking number of glaciers in the park, many of the land’s original plant and animal species still exist there.

The religious and cultural history of the people of Glacier National Park stretches back a very, very long time as well. It’s estimated that the first Native Americans arrived in the Glacier area approximately 10,000 years ago, namely ancestors of the Salish, Flathead, Shoshone and Cheyenne tribes. The Blackfeet arrived in the 18th century, and the modern Blackfeet Reservation borders the park today. Despite the Native American history, nearly 78 percent of the population considered to be a part of Glacier National Park today is Catholic. (Get more profile information here.)

Glacier National Park officials launched an official website for the 2010 celebration (read the official announcement from the National Park Service), where visitors can find the latest park information and event updates, such as the announcement for the May 11 Rededication of Glacier National Park. The Centennial Program has also compiled 100 stories from visitors and friends of Glacier National Park, creating a book entitled “A View Inside Glacier National Park.” Unfortunately, Glacier National Park also has sparked news headlines over the past few decades for another reason: According to the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the increase in the average temperature at Glacier National Park has been almost twice as much as that of the rest of the Earth. With glaciers melting faster than ever, scientists estimate that the glaciers could be gone altogether in 10 years.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)

Memorial: Armenians Solemly Recall Genocide

SATURDAY, APRIL 24: Armenians around the world solemnly observe Genocide Remembrance Day to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide (1915-1923). In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, hundreds of thousands of people walk to the Genocide Memorial to place flowers near the eternal flame and remember more than 1.5 million victims. (For more, check out the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s fact sheet on the Armenian Genocide.)

Despite centuries of peace in the Ottoman Empire, conflict arose as nationalism spread, fueling a desire for Armenian independence. Turks had other ideas and wanted to rid the Ottoman Empire of Armenians altogether so that they could establish a Pan-Turkic empire. Massacres were ordered by Sultan Abdul Hamid II and more killings continued to occur. (Wikipedia has a lengthy history.) WWI provided the ideal opportunity for Turks to quietly carry out their Pan-Turkic plans; the plans began on April 24, 1915, when almost 300 Armenian leaders were summoned and then killed. (For the latest news and more, visit the site of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.)

Last year, the State of Hawaii officially declared that its residents should observe the Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide. According to the State of Hawaii, which has a sizeable Armenian-American population, this series of tragic events represented the first instance of genocide in the 20th century. However, this genocide is still unrecognized by the Republic of Turkey, which blames the mass killings on an internal civil war.

Many historians credit the Armenian Genocide as a crucial event paving the way for the Holocaust in the mid-20th century. Since worldwide response to the Armenian tragedy was so muted, Nazi leaders regarded it as evidence that they could get away with their Final Solution. For more on the Holocaust, see ReadTheSpirit’s “Holocaust Educational Resources” page.

(By ReadTheSpirit columnist Stephanie Fenton)

(NOTE: To see more short articles about upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries, click the “RTS Magazines” tab at the top of this page and select “Religious Holidays.”)