Thanksgiving Around the World: Different Ways of Expressing Gratitude through Celebration
[객원 에디터 6기 / 이석현 기자] Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday for gratitude, reflection, and feasting. However, the spirit of thankfulness knows no boundaries, and many countries have come to embrace their own versions of this celebration, each with its own unique customs and significance.
Canada’s Thanksgiving not only bears similarities to its American counterpart but actually predates it. Celebrated on the second Monday of every October, the Canadian holiday traces its roots to explorer Martin Frobisher’s Thanksgiving in 1578 for his safe return to Newfoundland. During this early harvest celebration, Canadians come together with family and friends to express their gratitude for the blessings of the year.
Liberia, founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves in the 19th century, also celebrates Thanksgiving with a unique blend of American and indigenous traditions. Marked on the first Thursday of every November, the festivities encompass cultural events, parades, and a feast that reflects the nation’’s diverse heritage.
On October 25th, Grenada, nicknamed the “Isle of Spice,” celebrates Thanksgiving as a day of giving thanks for the abundance of nutmeg. The celebrations on this Caribbean Island include colorful parades, cultural events, and—of course—a feast that features local delicacies.
In Europe, the German Erntedankfest is celebrated on the first Sunday of October. Like most other Thanksgivings, this one is also a harvest festival that is marked by church services, parades, and communal feasts. It emphasizes the importance of giving thanks for the harvest and is a time for communities to come together in gratitude.
While not directly related to the American Thanksgiving, Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23rd. This national holiday is dedicated to expressing gratitude for labor and production, and is a time during which the country recognizes the contribution of its workers to the nation’s productions.
It is clear that Thanksgiving, a holiday deeply rooted in harvest celebrations and gratitude, has come to take on diverse forms across the globe. From Canada to Liberia, Grenada to Germany, and even Japan, each country’s unique history, culture, and traditions has shaped its Thanksgiving celebration. While the specifics may differ, the underlying theme of giving thanks for the abundance of life remains a universal and cherished sentiment.
Sources: World Population Review, Country Living, LAT Multilingual
