MULTIMEDIA, MULTICULTURAL

CANDLEMAS (Día de la Candelaria) CELEBRATION,

This bilingual, multicultural event will feature music and stories from mid-winter celebrations from around the world. Musical selections from J.S. Bach, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Cabazón, James French, and traditional Candlemas tunes from diverse cultures that celebrate this occasion will be interspersed with stories from a variety of cultural groups for whom this date holds different meanings. Priest in Charge, Father Frank Alton, describes the purpose of the event: “In a diverse community like Echo Park, celebrating each other’s cultural festivals and sharing our stories are ways to honor and respect each other and to build bridges of understanding … not to mention that it’s never a bad idea to enjoy good stories, quality music, and tasty food.”

This ancient celebration has roots in Europe, where it began as recognition of the mid point of winter. Known as “Groundhog Day” in the United States, the Christian Church recognizes this day as 40 days after the birth of Jesus, when he, like all Jewish boys, was taken to the Temple to be presented to God. In European celebrations, people bring candles to be blessed. In Mexico, people dress up their “niño Dios” (baby Jesus figurine) from their Nativity Scene in a new outfit and bring it to the church to be blessed. We will bless both candles and “niño Dios” figurines.

 The public is invited to participate actively by bringing a baby Jesus figurine or a special candle, to be blessed during the event. Artwork representing the various cultural meanings of the celebration will also be on display. A reception will follow with tamales and hot chocolate. Whatever your religious tradition is – or if you don’t claim one – you are welcome at this event, which seeks to enrich our lives and strengthen our relationships with each other.