Christmas, one of the most extravagant and famous holidays of the year. December 25th is a day filled with laughter, presents and love. But how did Christmas become Christmas? How did this festival come to be the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ? How was Christmas celebrated in the past, and how has the past affected the present?
Festivals Without Borders: The Cultural Tapestry in Singapore
Where can you find glittering Christmas lights twinkle beside the soft, warm glow of red lanterns? In Singapore, it is a familiar sight. Streets come alive with doors draped in Christmas wreaths, the rhythmic energy of dragon dances, children in Halloween costumes weaving past homes bright with Deepavali colours, and markets overflowing with festive treats from every culture imaginable. Here, holidays coexist; they overlap, mix and evolve seamlessly, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry that is unique.
The Blinded Side: How the White Saviour Trope has Shaped Cinema
By Shams Tlili Introduction “Freedom Writers” is a 2007 film recounting the story of American teacher Erin Gruwell. Receiving majorly favourable reviews and praised for…
Where Christmas Meets the Tropics: Fiji’s Festive Traditions
While a typical “white Christmas” is associated with snow, fireplaces, and America’s favourite evergreen trees, Fiji is centred on Christian worship, with special church services, nativity plays, and carolling filling Christmas Eve and Day. Christmas is one of the three most significant holidays in Fiji, rooted in the early Christianization of the islands and evolving into a versatile festival of togetherness, food, and fellowship.
Goodbye Hawkins: A Final Look at the Duffer Brothers’ Last Stand
10 years of production, 42 episodes, over 50 credited performers, and a budget of $480 million on season five alone. Stranger Things has certainly evolved. From its beginnings as a dubious proposition, rejected countless times by numerous networks, to shaping a devoted fan base driven by their appetence for nostalgia and the innovative spin the show takes from conventional storytelling. The Duffer Brothers were able to span the multigenerational divide with the program’s meticulous recreation of the 1980s, depicting the era’s aesthetics, music, fashion and making artful allusions to the pop culture at the time.
Lunar New Year: New Beginnings Cloaked in Red
The history of the Lunar New Year started about 3000 years ago, with a beast named “Nian (年)”, which means “year” in Chinese. According to Chinese mythology, the beast would attack villagers with its sharp teeth. The beast resembles a lion, a unicorn, and an ox since they share similar features.
The Evolution of Henna Through Time
An art form, a culture, an expression of identity, just one plant incorporates all these beautiful meanings. Just one brown paste provides jobs, joy, and enriches culture.
How Coca-Cola Has Redefined Santa Claus
By Diya Harish Holidays are often defined as timeless occasions which are rooted in culture, faith and family. Yet many of the traditions that we…
Why Is Japan’s Christmas a “Second Valentine’s Day”, and What Are Its Other Traditions?
Japan is known for its unique take on Christmas – a secular, commercial, and romantic holiday. But what are its origins? Why is it celebrated as yet another Valentine’s Day? Today, very few Japanese are Christian, mainly due to the historic policies of the ruling shogunate, which saw Christianity as a political threat to its authority and national stability, leading to its brutal suppression and a nationwide ban for over 250 years.
Behind the scenes of CIS productions: Insights from the people who make it happen
By Stella Hansen If you know anything about or have seen the musicals at CIS before, you would know that they are not only extravagant…