The International Holiday & Festival Primer is a two book series of reproducible low level ESL/EFL/Literacy reading and discussion texts. The books are designed to help people learn about holy days and cultural festivals celebrated on this planet. These books are a very good tool to help promote cultural awareness and cultural understanding! 17 important holy days, at least one from each major religion, are explained. The rest of the essays are about cultural festivals, world-wide observances, national holidays, regional holidays and more.

The International Holiday & Festival Primer is a two book series of reproducible low level ESL/EFL/Literacy reading and discussion texts. The books are designed to help people learn about holy days and cultural festivals celebrated on this planet. These books are a very good tool to help promote cultural awareness and cultural understanding! 17 important holy days, at least one from each major religion, are explained. The rest of the essays are about cultural festivals, world-wide observances, national holidays, regional holidays and more.

In times of stress and conflict the celebration of patriotic holidays can bring us together. These ten chapters examine the traditional national holidays of the United States of America--plus Flag Day and Constitution Day--by presenting the persons and events they commemorate, which have shaped American history and identity. In addition, Lincoln's birthday--never proclaimed a national holiday--is considered in an appendix. This book restores the original meaning of these celebrations and looks closely at their development in American history, seeking to inspire renewed ways of celebration, commemoration, and observance. It is an aid for recalling our history, reclaiming our values and traditions, and restoring a sense of community. Each chapter looks at the many books and research written about the events commemorated by these holidays, showing their relevance for today, and their spiritual or religious dimensions. Although the United States of America was not founded as a "Christian nation" on biblical principles, people throughout American history have perceived divine guidance--or what George Washington called "Providential interposition." This book is for the general public, members of patriotic organizations and associations, and as a resource book for schools and religious institutions.

This volume focuses on the musicscapes that contest, critique, and rethink Mediterraneidad (Mediterraneaness) in Contemporary Spain, and understands it as a fluid and elusive sociological, cultural, and artistic category. The volume argues that since the 1990s we have witnessed a shift in which the mythical image of “Mediterranean harmony” has been superseded by the net: a figure that represents the linking of urban nodes and trans governmental networks, migratory movements, and cultural fluidity. Further, this book assesses how Mediterraneidad became, within the realm of music, the site and sign of a diverse array of social issues such as the formulation of Catalan, Valencian, Andalusian, and Mallorcan national identities, with the 2017 Catalan Independence process taking center stage. Using diverse methodologies-data-driven sociological approaches; ethnographic and anthropological tools; feminist and gender theories-the authors also address the rapidly changing social landscape that started in the 1980s due to global migrations as well as the dismantling of traditional gender dynamics.

Thirty thousand hardbacks sold On Mexico's Day of the Dead, the skeletons jump for sheer joy. And no wonder: they've been cooped up the whole year and now they're ready to party. Watch the calaveras shake, rattle, and roll as they celebrate the biggest event of the graveyard's social calendar

Everything You Need to Know to Master Colorwork Gorgeous Scandinavian knitwear is within reach for knitters of all levels with this collection of timeless patterns and essential techniques. Kristin Drysdale, founder of Scandiwork, has taught countless knitters the art of colorwork with her innovative and approachable methods. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by ornate, multicolor patterns, Kristin’s encouraging guidance, step-by-step photos, and foolproof instructions will make you fall in love with Nordic knitting. Inspired by Kristin’s Scandinavian heritage, these designs combine traditional patterns and motifs with stylish, easy-to-wear shapes. Knitting with multiple yarns creates a warmer knit fabric for high-quality garments and accessories to gift or wear all year long. First-time colorwork knitters will be encouraged by how easy and fun Kristin makes the process of knitting gorgeous yet doable yoke sweaters, mittens, and hats. More advanced knitters will love creating ornate slippers, mittens, and sweaters with beautiful Scandinavian details. With a wide range of sizes for adults as well as patterns for little ones, the whole family can enjoy the Scandinavian look. This is more than a pattern collection?it’s a trusted resource you’ll return to season after season.

Leading legal scholar John Witte, Jr. explores the role religion played in the development of rights in the Western legal tradition and traces the complex interplay between human rights and religious freedom norms in modern domestic and international law. He examines how US courts are moving towards greater religious freedom, while recent decisions of the pan-European courts in Strasbourg and Luxembourg have harmed new religious minorities and threatened old religious traditions in Europe. Witte argues that the robust promotion and protection of religious freedom is the best way to protect many other fundamental rights today, even though religious freedom and other fundamental rights sometimes clash and need judicious balancing. He also responds to various modern critics who see human rights as a betrayal of Christianity and religious freedom as a betrayal of human rights.