2023年12月28日「モバイル英語学習」第812号 (英語エッセイ): New Year Celebrations Beyond January First

Notes
aligned with と一致する;
the Gregorian calendar 新暦、グレゴリオ暦;
tapestry つづれ織り;

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January 1st is commonly known as New Year’s Day around the world, aligned with the Gregorian calendar. However, some cultures celebrate the new year on different dates. A notable example is China, where the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins. Unlike the fixed January 1st date, the Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically in late January or early February. For example, in 2024, it starts on Feburay 10. Celebrations include family gatherings, special meals, dragon dances, and the giving of red envelopes for luck. Understanding these diverse traditions allows us to explore various cultural practices and recognize the rich tapestry of global customs, enhancing our appreciation of the world’s diversity.
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2020年6月22日「モバイル英語学習」第659号 (英語のエッセイ): Yesterday Was Ox Day

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Yesterday was OX Day (“doyo no ushi no hi” ). On this day of summer every year, people all over Japan go out to eat eel. Because of the coronavirus, however, more and more people are choosing to take the eel home rather than eat it at the restaurant. People can also buy pre-cooked eel at a supermarket. I didn’t go to shopping yesterday, but my wife did. She said that there was a lot of eel on the shelves of the local supermarket. In my family, everyone likes eel, but we usually don’t eat it on “doyo no ushi no hi” because we forget when it is. The date changes every year. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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