It’s no coincidence that in the darkest time of the year there are so many light festivals in the northern hemisphere (I am sure there are more but this is what I gathered):
- Diwali or Divali and Deepvali are Indian festivals of lights, lasting 5 and 4 days, respectively and are usually celebrated at the end of October or early November
- Martinmaas – german festival where kids carry lanterns while singing songs in a procession
- Hanukkah, Jewish festival of lights at the end of November/early December that lasts 8 days where another a candle is lit every day
- Dia de las velitas are celebrated on the 8th of December – more on that below
- Juul’s which is celebrated on the solstice – 21th of December – more on that then
And even in countries that do not celebrate any of these festivals (like most of Europe), lights are an important part of the holiday season! In most of the western world, the streets and homes get decorated with lights in December (although some do it even sooner). The moment the lights in the centre of the city all light up is a celebration in itself and can be quite magical (we usually miss it – and for the last two years they don’t do it for fear of gathering people). But decorating with lights is very popular and we all have some fairy lights around the windows and candles or lights on the tree (we prefers real candles – they smell gorgeous and just add to the charm).
Dia de las velitas (“Little candles Day”) and Noche de las velitas (“Little candles night”)
In Spain and Colombia “little candle day/night” is observed on the 8th of December; the night is on the 7th – the eve of Immaculate Conception and this feast marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations. People light candles and paper lanterns on windowsills, balconies, porches, sidewalks, streets, parks and squares… in honour of the Virgin Mary. The tradition has fairly well-documented beginnings in the 19th century when the pope declared the dogma of immaculate conception.
In our little country, there is also a street performance festival with fire called “Ana Plamenita” – which means “Anne, the flamy”. It happens in the late autumn and we have really missed it these last two years. The same street theatre organizes more street festivals a year and they are all called Ana after the first one that was named after a folk tale. They are all nice but we love this fiery one the most – it is so needed in these dark days and juggling with fire and all the candles and fire… it’s just so magical!
Very Arty Fairy 