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11/30/2005: "An Age of Celebration" by Brad Michael Moore
("The Wedding Dance," by Pieter Brueghel The Younger) I am not one who personally celebrates holidays. However, as an artist, I find that celebration events provide a most flourishing profile of a people, a region, a community, a belief. As such, themes of celebration provide fodder for anyone who's interests lay in capturing the intensity of our human spirit. 
("Musicians with Giant Lyre," Artist unknown / Reign of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten, 1351-1348 B.C / Sandstone) Artists were once relegated to depicting holy moments and observed periods that reflected belief systems controlled by religious institutions, theocracies, and other kingdoms. As modern times came about - holidays became more inclusive of everyday people. In the present, all countries around the world celebrate numerous festivals, celebrations, and anniversaries. Some are common to others, and others are unique to the region where they are distinguished. These observances are opportunities for people to set time aside for mostly beneficial purposes. They gather with friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers to revel, commune, and personally express their spirits with the souls and remembrances tied to their belief systems or the occasion. 
("The Orchestra," by Raja Ravi Varma) Since the beating of drums surpassed the smoke signal, music and musicians found themselves a favorite subject for the purveyor of artistic expression. Perhaps, it is the challenge of rendering the sound of music that has such great implications for the visual artist. Music becomes a tool of sorts artists use to express a profound sense of the moment. Along with song, were dance, and performance - all providing the artist's imagination with an impetus to grasp techniques, in their work, to best portray the occasion. Certainly religious ceremonies, or the entertainment of kings, were the earlier topics of artists trying to convey the festivities of their times. Today, it's a wide world approaching to our fingertip's beckoning. Today we can discover what all our fellow human beings find important in their lives and milieus.
("A Barbarian Celebration, from 'Navigatio in Brasiliam Americae,'" by Theodore de Bry) During this seasonal period, between Thanksgiving and the new year, people around the world celebrate many important holidays. It gives us pause from our typical daily routines to observe meaningful events. These cultural and multi-cultural observances function to identify the strengths of our societies, our belief systems, or our appreciation for our bounties. Merriment is a tonic for the human soul that keeps fit our spirit. To better appreciate our fellow humankind - we, as artists, need to be more concerned with illustrating our observations of such events. We need to remind ourselves of our responsibilities to demonstrate the significant experiences that either surround us, or that we may wish to seek out in the exploration of our own personal growth. I began to outline this blog, keeping in mind the bigger picture, the world view perpetuated in this season. When it comes to capturing the spirit of a holiday - perhaps the invention of the camera has been most paramount. In seeking out historical paintings of observances around the world - I was mildly disappointed by the number of works I was able to find on canvas. Many historical Christian events are well documented, but our world is large… We, as artists, have done much less that I would have expected in portraying more secular concepts in our ever-changing societies prior to the age of photography. Photographers have come about to modify this shortcoming in large part. But, finding their illustrations (I don't have to pay for) to show in this blog, was far more difficult.
("WaterKids," (C) by Brad Michael Moore) On film - celebration documentation is a more accessible matter. Early artists, historically, didn't express a great proclivity to proclaim what people shared in common (after their God). Of course, there was a time when the Church was the divining rod of the subject matter artist's had to create. Otherwise there was no food on the table or oils and canvas, stone, or chisel. Artistic expression had it constraints. How many "Last Supper" renditions, and crucifixions, and Mother Mary's have been rendered versus non-religious observances through the centuries. Perhaps the others are really there, but it might take me months or years to ferret them out. I only have days for this blog, so I will concentrate on what I have found.
("The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth," by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe) Artists have always played their role as documenters of their surroundings. Celebration has always been a theme that reveals not only the subject, but the hope the artist shares as well. It is my belief artists should undertake more responsibility to illustrate the celebrations of their community, or culture - headway is being made... Artists should set aside a part of their work that mainly exemplifies their community - just as a matter of course. These efforts could, in turn, be the ones future observers of our art, and culture, will discover to be of most interest. 
("Memory of a National Festival, 1895," by Hippolyte Berteaux) Regardless of the focus of one's work, there is a celebration, or observance, somewhere around the world any artist can use to gleam a little inspiration. Some interesting notes, In France, they officially celebrate Edgar Degas' Birthday. Not too many artists have that honor - actually no others I could find. In so far as observations recognized through this still wide world - here are some I find of interest: "Mardi Gras," which I understand is celebrated not only in my dear suffering New Orleans, USA, but also in Trinidad & Tobago, Ecuador & Switzerland to name a few.
Also, from the USA came, "Arbor Day" - a holiday in founded in Nebraska, April 22, 1872, after a newspaper publisher promoted the value of trees to conserve soil. This holiday observance, symbolized by the planting of trees, continues to spread.
Valentine's Day come upon Spring's arrival. The historical beginning of "Valentine's Day" is connected to the Christian priest (later known as Saint Valentine), who held a belief that spring was a time for romantic couples. In 200 AD, the priest, Valentine, married young couples in secret (and against Roman laws that forbade men to marry). During Valentine's imprisonment, people passed secret notes to him through his cell window. Valentine was executed on February 14, probably around 270 AD. The church later declared February 14th as Saint Valentine's Day.
Slovenia celebrates both a "Day of Resistance" and the "People's Uprising Day."
"Peasant's Day" is observed in Tanzania.
Two visually alluring observances in Tibet include the "Butter Oil Lantern Festival" and the "Ghost Exorcising Festival."
"'Loy Krathong' (Floating the Flower Boats Festival)" is a practiced affair in Thailand.
Norway observes Easter on 4 days: "Holy Thursday," "Good Friday," "Easter Sunday," and "Easter Monday."
New Zealand and Mexico celebrate "Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos."
In Oaxaca, Mexico is the curious "Feast of the Radishes."
"Chanukah," also referred as the 'Festival of Lights' is observed Israel, and by Jewish communities around the world.
Christmas is likely one the widest celebrated holidays on the globe. December 25th has been the day to celebrate Christ's birthday - appearing as early as 336 A.D. on the Roman calendar.
The day after Christmas, "Boxing Day," is observed in far ranging countries from Trinidad and Tobago, to Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, to Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Britain, and Canada. Boxing Day is connected to the "Feast of St. Stephen," the first Christian martyr. The term may come from the opening of church poor boxes on that day, in England, in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day was once seen as a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes. Elements of the merchant class would give boxes containing food, clothing, and or other resources to trades people and servants. It is also told that Boxing Day comes from the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season and circulated among the poor by the clergy.
In Hong Kong, and throughout China and Taiwan, "The Dragon Boat Festival" is a Lunar Holiday, occurring on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant event with perhaps, historically, the longest history. The celebrated observance centers on the racing of boats designed in the shape of dragons. The celebration's is a time for protection from evil and disease. Practices such as hanging healthy herbs on one's front door, drinking nutritious concoctions, and the custom of eating tzungtzu and rice dumplings are derived from this event. It's said, if one can stand an egg on it's end at exactly 12:00 noon, the following year will be a lucky one.
The Buddhist New Year is celebrated in Theravadin countries, such as Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos. The new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, while the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.
For us night dwelling artists, this is a good period to take inspiration from the moon… Names for the November Moons include Snow Moon, Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Beaver Moon, Mourning Moon, Blotmonath (Sacrifice Month), Herbistmanoth (Harvest Month), Mad Moon, Moon of Storms, Moon When Deer Shed Antlers.
Names for the December Moons include: Cold Moon, Oak Moon, Wolf Moon, Moon of Long Nights, Long Night's Moon, Aerra Geola (Month Before Yule), Wintermonat (Winter Month), Heilagmanoth (Holy Month), Big Winter Moon, Moon of Popping Trees.
All in all, holidays (or an annual observances) are celebrated in every place humankind dwells on earth in one aspect or another. Switzerland commemorates 55 holidays this year. There will be 53 observances in Canada - 52 in Australia, and a whopping 80 recognized days (but not days off!) in USA. That says to me that we, as artists, should never see the stream run dry when seeking topics to render…
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Since this is an international forum, here is a "Merry Christmas" greeting in many of the languages spoken here:
Afrikaans: Gesëende Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Colombia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
or Zalig Kerstfeest
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Ruumsaid juulup|hi
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: LL Milied Lt-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Romanian: Sarbatori fericite & La multi ani
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serb-Croatian: Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tami: Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yugoslavian: Cestitamo Bozic
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!
