European Customs

When I visited Europe a few years ago, I noticed that most of the cities, towns, or villages I toured had many parks. Of course, I'm not referring to the historical tourist attractions since European cities obviously have plenty of those. In fact, you can name a few and I probably had been in some of the places you have in mind. Anyway, what I am talking about simply are the regular parks where people often go during afternoons.

With the setting sun and the cool breeze, the afternoon is always the perfect time to take a walk at the park. While I was in Europe, I used to go out for a walk whenever I had the chance. Although there was nothing really extraordinary about it, the mere fact of enjoying the nice weather and simple, yet beautiful views was already soothing.

It is fun to see families go out together and spend the afternoon playing with their kids. Families like to spend most of their time together at the park. That was what I noticed during my stay in Europe. Of course, this practice may just be ordinary compared to the other customs of the continent, yet it is as equally valuable as those mentioned. A walk in the park is always a perfect time for family bonding.

This might shock many people as it appears to be very morbid, but the town of Las Nieves in Galicia, North West Spain celebrates death. Although not the actual death, but near-death experiences. Every 29th of July, people who have had close calls gather in the small Spanish Town near the border with Portugal to observe The Festival of the Near Death Experience. The theme of the festival may give you the creeps, and I can only imagine how most of you would get goosebumps when you see people attend the festival in a coffin.

The Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme is where people tell stories about their different experiences in cheating death. They participate in the procession by lying in a coffin which is carried by their loved ones all throughout the procession. At ten in the morning, thousands of people have already flocked the narrow streets of the tiny town in preparation for the Mass to be held at noon. After the mass, the procession heads to the local cemetery and back to the church. A large statue of the Virgin Santa Marta is paraded in front of the procession. I'm sure I have ignited your curiosity, especially that part of you that wants to explore the mystery of death.

Saint Patrick's Day is a very momentous even in the lives of the Irish people. It's by far the largest crowd-drawing celebration in the country that is being celebrated once a year on March 15- 19. The recent celebration drew the attention of over a million spectators coming from all parts of Great Britain. The gathering involves people of all ages enjoying the fun and merry-making that the party has to offer. Music, food, games, carnivals and people in costumes surround the city of Dublin at the onset of Saint Patrick's day. the week-long celebration highlights a spectacular fireworks display at night, a street parade showcasing many talented Irish and an open air music that signifies that it's time to party.

The celebration is symbolized by a three-leafed Shamrock clover which St. Patrick used to represent the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Spirit). It is also considered a lucky emblem among Irish people playing an important role in their history. When the English invaded the Celtics, they wore a shamrock to show their nationalism. Although the celebration was contemplated to be a religious one, in recent times it has become more of festivities and a celebration of Irish nationalism.

Although it has been celebrated in major cities all over the world, like Acapulco, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, and Santiago, Berlin still serves as the birth place of the Love Parade. It is usually held during the middle weekend of July. The event features loud Trance, House, Techno, and Schranz music, and the crowd is so much bigger compared to most concerts. The wild party lives on trucks with water-cooled sound systems producing a sound floor of many megawatts. The Love Parade had been flocked with controversy over the years for housing people's exhibitionist tendencies. Not only will you have to look out for what people will wear, but also what they would not wear.

The Love Parade was first celebrated in the German city in 1989, four months before the fall of The Berlin Wall. Matthias Roeingh, also known as "Dr. Motte," and his fresh Berlin Underground initiated the event as a political demonstration for peace and international understanding through music. It was originally held at the famous Berlin "Ku'damm," but by 1996 it was moved to "Straße des 17. Juni" to accommodate the growing crowd. People from other countries travel to Berlin to take part in the Love Parade. Over a million people was recorded to have participated in the Parade from 1997 to 2000.

I know I am not the only one who was dumbstruck with the term. I bet you, too, have not heard what Charivari is. If you're a newly wed couple and have decided to leave the town for your honeymoon then you're probably trying to avoid the faire le charivari. Charivari or shivaree is an old wedding custom dating back from the Middle Ages. It originated from France, and was a commonplace in most French provinces. Later on, it became a protest for socially disapproved marriages. Actually, there were attempts in history to dislaw or prohibit its practice like in the 1600s. The Council of Tours of the Roman Catholic Church forbade Charivari, but the custom continued in the rural areas. Oncidentally, the said custom is also called “horning” and “belling.”

From France it was brought to Louisiana by the Acadians and the Creoles. It was practiced in Louisiana as well as in New England. In Canada, Charivari was practiced in Ontario and Quebec. The custom is done by making noise through the banging of pots and pans at the newlywed's room to keep them awake all night and to drive away evil spirits from them. In some instances, the custom is also done to force an unmarried couple to tie the knot.

Erlangen is a German town popularly known for some of the best universities in Germany and home to Siemens. But if there was one thing, you and I should know (and every beer lover should know too) that it's a fact the Erlangen is where the Bergkirchweih is celebrated. Every year, since 1755, over a million people flock to this Bavarian town to meet with old friends and families to sample a mug or two of beer and party the night away at the town square. People can get bloated with all the food served in stalls scattered everywhere. If you're done with the beer, why not try visiting Erlangen's famous castles and baroque churches for a change.

Beer festivals are very common in Germany. Munich has its Oktoberfest while Straubing has its Gäubodenvolksfest. What makes this Erlangen event extraordinary? Well, some testimonials would say that it is better than Oktoberfest. Probably because the old Bavarian tradition has been retained. And considering the fact that there are lesser foreign tourists who come here than in Munich. The one in Erlangen will be celebrated this June 1-12. Erlangen can be access by train or a short journey by car from the town of Nuremberg.

Marriage is celebrated in many ways and traditional matrimonies are practiced differently in various countries around the globe. Just like any other marriage rites in Europe, traditional marriage in Scotland is usually celebrated in three parts - Pre-Marriage; Marriage; and the Post-Marriage stage. The Pre-Marriage part is when two separate parties are held for the bride and groom. For the bride, the mother holds an event for the "show of presents" which in fact, is similar to what is usually called as "bridal shower". On the other hand, the groom is taken out for "stag night" with his friends. The party may consist of weird practical jokes on the groom.

Moreover, the marriage part is the matrimony itself, wherein the bride and groom will be joined as husband and wife by the priest outside the church. Right after the joining, the priest will lead the couple inside the church, along with the witnesses, for a Latin mass. Finally, the reception is the Post-Marriage, that is expected to last all night. It is celebrated with dancing and will end by means of the guests forming a circle and sing "Auld Lang Syne". Hence, marriages may differ or may be similar in meaning and the way it is practiced. However, one things is sure: it is by no means an act of being united to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Kissing is an ordinary activity in the everyday lives of Europeans. No barrier is ever too great for people to kiss each other even distance, racial differences, religion, or skin color. It has turned kissing into a major phenomenon and not just a local custom. But every country in Europe has their own kissing style and decorums.

In France, kissing has actually been considered as a course of life. In the cities of Paris and Brittany, people are very used to multiple kisses as a mode of greeting. On the other hand, the one-kiss rule pervades in Belgium although people who are above ten years can kiss three times to show their respect. The Italians are not very fond of kissing since it is confined to families and very intimate friends and so is with the Germans.

However, the Britons may be too shy to get physical that's because they settle for a simple handshake as a mode of greeting. Although kissing may be restricted in some way, people from all over the world find the joy of kissing not merely as a method of greeting but more as an expression of love and respect.

Old traditions and customs are still firmly embedded in most societies today despite the growing modernity and complexity of life. Cultural traditions are still very much alive which may involve choosing your spouse or even avoiding bad luck. There are traditions that surround almost every aspect of our daily living. Even pregnancy and birth-giving are surrounded with mystified ideas that are often misconceived by many who do not believe in them. Europe may be a very industrialized continent but it is not exempt from these birth traditions that are still believed by many.

Europeans very much believe in pregnant women's cravings. Greeks have the conception that if the craving was not granted, the baby will develop a birthmark that may be in the shape of a fruit or maybe ice cream. They also have a belief that a pregnant woman should wear a boar's tooth brooch because it will protect her from bad spirits and bring prosperity to her baby. In fact many of these amulets are still being sold in jewelry stores in many areas in Europe.

Pregnant women should likewise keep away from the dead like attending a wake or visiting graveyards. Germans believe that if a pregnant woman steps on a grave, her baby could die. The Russians believe that if a couple confesses their past relationships to each other, the wife won't go through a difficult labor. Otherwise, the wife would have to put the blame on her husband if she labors with difficulty.

Like in other cultures, European customs have certain influence on its people. It encourages order in activities and implementation of certain regulations. European people also follow certain types of greeting and farewell protocols, table setting and meal arrangements, and ceremony celebrations like St. Martin's Day in Europe.

Flanders, and some parts of Netherlands, Germany, and Austria celebrates St. Martin's Day on November 11. During this celebration, children go from one house to another house, bringing paper lanterns and candles while singing songs that are about St. Martin. Also, goose is the traditional food served in most European households to celebrate this holiday.

In the Polish Baptism, they perform an old Eastern European custom to the child. Before leaving the house on the day of the baptism, the father will say a prayer on the child for him or her to return home safe and sound. The service is held in the church, when the family goes back home, the child is placed outside the door; with the door closed. On the other side of the door, the mother along with the eldest stands; through the shut door, the eldest would recite to the child this traditional saying, "You have left this house a devil, now that you are baptized enter our home as an angel and may your life be long and healthy so that you may serve God."