Cultures and Traditions Archives

While service to children and families is the purpose of Global Volunteers programs, working alongside local people is the best way to experience culture and traditions in your host country. Learn more about some of the customs, language and history that comes alive when serving for one, two or three weeks with Global Volunteers.

International Children’s Day

Today (June 1) is the International Children’s Day. The festival is celebrated in many countries, including China. It’s a day to remind all the world of how special and important the children’s are and all children should be well-treated, respected and taken care with love. We should all, in particular, spare a thought for those […]

June 1, 2010/by Michele Gran

Cultures and Traditions Greece

Greek Orthodox Epiphany Celebration

The Greek Festival of Epiphany, or ‘The Blessing of the Waters’, is held every year on January 6 throughout all of Greece. At midnight, the “twelve days” of Christmas officially come to an end. This day takes on a special meaning when a special ceremony of blessing of the waters is celebrated. This is the […]

January 5, 2010/by Global Volunteers

Cultures and Traditions

Chennai Sangamam

Chennai Sangamam The only Festival of India that belongs to people of all religions, as well as to the non-believers. The harvest fest of Tamil antiquity – The Pongal re-discovering itself as urban thanksgiving. It’s Chennai Sangamam. More than 2000 performers will ignite the spirit of Chennai for seven days with around 4000 performances. All […]

April 11, 2009/by Stephen Raja

Cultures and Traditions

Glorious Past – The Dynamic Present

QUERETARO, MEXICO: The glorious past – the dynamic present! By Francoise Yohalem Volunteer Team Leader When I agreed to lead a team of volunteers to Queretaro, Mexico, I had already traveled extensively to more “exotic” sites south of our border, mostly in Central and South America, and I relied on memories of an earlier trip […]

February 1, 2008/by Michele Gran

Cultures and Traditions

Recipes from Ronni & Sheeba

Okra Poriyal (serves 6) 1 tablespoon cooking oil ½ teaspoon mustard seed ¼ cup chopped red onion 1-2 tablespoons fresh whole curry leaves 4 cups sliced okra 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 tablespoons masala ½ teaspoon turmeric Heat oil in a large pan. Add mustard seeds and salt – stir. Add curry leaves and onions, […]

November 30, 2007/by Michele Gran

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