Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela

Cheese and wine: a French tradition

by Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela | 21/06/2023 | France

If we think in French gastronomy, there are two elements that can never be missing from the table: cheese and wine! These are two emblematic products whose preparation is an art. Both products require a process of elaboration and maturation (or fermentation if we are talking about wine) in their respective cellars.

Regarding cheese, the number of bacteria added in its preparation and the time it is left to mature determines the intensity of its flavour, its consistency and even its colour, which is why there is such a wide variety of cheeses. As for wine, the ripeness of the fruit and the time it is left to ferment contribute to the result. Both depend on very specific conditions for their production: in addition to the ingredients, temperature, humidity, exposure to light, etc. are also considered.

Cheese

Whereas in Mexico between 20 and 40 different types of cheese are consumed, 14 of which are native to our country (according to the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property – IMPI), in France there are almost 400 types of cheese, which is why it is said that the French could eat a different cheese every day, 365 days a year! Among the most famous French cheeses are Reblochon, Roquefort, Camembert, Comté, among others.

At lunchtime in France, it is a tradition to place a small plate of different types of cheese on the plate as a starter or as an accompaniment to the meal. They are also eaten at Apéro, or aperitif, time. This is a time of the day, usually in the afternoon, after work, when family or friends get together and enjoy this type of snack among others. A plate or a board with cheeses, accompanied by slices of bread and cold meats such as pepperoni, ham, etc. is placed on the plate.

Wine

Wine has been part of French gastronomy since the time of the Roman Empire. Many of the techniques used in winemaking all over the world, including Mexico, have their origins in France. Among the most famous wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, among others. The AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée – Controlled Designation of Origin) recognises at least 470 different wines of French origin.

In Mexico, we are used to accompany food at mealtimes with flavoured water. In France, at lunchtime or during dinner, it is customary to consume food with natural water, so that the flavour of the food is better appreciated, or with a glass of wine.

Chongyang Festival

by Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela | 21/06/2023 | China

The Chongyang Festival (重阳节 – Chóngyáng jié), also known as the Double Nine Festival or Festival of the Elders, is a very beautiful celebration that is part of Chinese culture, to celebrate the elders and ancestors. It is held on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar; Therefore, its date varies every year, usually in the month of October. On this day, sons and daughters take the opportunity to meet their parents and grandparents and keep them company.

During this festival, it is very common to eat Chongyang cakes, also called “double nine” cakes. This is a traditional cake made from rice flour and sugar, decorated with almonds and chestnuts. Eating it is considered to bring good luck and is often accompanied by chrysanthemum wine.

In addition to eating cakes, they often do various activities to pay their respects to the elderly, for example, they celebrate the day by hiking in the mountains carrying a bag of zhuyu, a fragrant flower, which represents hope in life. Also, they hold various events for the elderly, including theatrical, literary, and musical performances in places such as nursing homes and hospitals. Another gesture of respect from the young to the elderly is to serve tea and give massages.

According to the regions of China, the celebration of Chongyang may be a little different. In southern China, the main activity on this day is kite flying. In Hong Kong, the festival is called Chung Yeung, and it is a day to worship ancestors. On this day, people clean the graves of their ancestors, burn incense, and offer food at the cemeteries. In Beijing, it is customary to place branches and leaves of chrysanthemums on the doors and windows of houses in the belief that this will bring luck. Whereas Shanghai hosts the Chrysanthemum Fair in the Yuyuan Garden during the Chongyang Festival.

Brazilian Legends

by Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela | 21/06/2023 | Brazil

Brazil is known as a multicultural country. Native people and immigrants from several places have gathered here, resulting in a huge variety of traditions, beliefs, legends and myths that are part of its identity. Digging into the popular stories, we may find many tales that have transcended over a long time, adding small variations depending on the region.

There are fantastic stories about mysterious creatures that protect nature, or others that seek revenge due to an unfair death. Following this article, we will present you some of the most interesting stories of Brazilian folklore.

Curupira

This character is sometimes described as a man or as a woman, but is generally presented as a child who turns out to be the guardian of the forest and its animals. His duty is to stop hunters and loggers who enter the forests from doing their tasks. The Curupira is short, red-haired, and its most remarkable feature is having its feet backward. This creature can mimic both animal and human sounds, and it’s very fast. It is said that it’s so fast that no one can see it, only hear it.

The Curupira misleads hunters and loggers by using tricky sounds and its distinctive tracks (which are very difficult to follow), making the latter to get lost in the forest so they cannot harm animals nor nature. According to some people, it has even killed hunters in order to save animals. Some other stories mention that it kidnaps children who live near the forests and keeps them for a while, teaching them to love nature as well as the desire to take care of it, setting them free when they are 7 so they share what they have learned.

Iara

Iara, or Yara, is a creature that lives in the depths of the Amazon River. It is also known in Portuguese as “a mãe d’água”. In fact, her name comes from an indigenous language and means “the one that lives in the water”. She is something like a mermaid; Featuring a human torso, but a fish tail from the waist to the feet. She is described as a very beautiful woman, with long black hair and light eyes, although there are those who say that her eyes are as dark as her hair.

According to legend, Iara was once a skilled and beautiful human warrior. As she was her father’s favorite, her brothers were jealous, and one day they decided to kill her. However, she proved being better than everyone in combat by defeating her siblings. Terrified by her own actions, she fled to hide from her father, who finally found her and threw her into the river expecting her to drown in order to pay for her crime. The fish of the river felt sorry for her and transformed her into a mermaid.

It’s said that Iara lives in the river since then, and that she attracts men to the water looking for revenge; Hypnotizing them with her voice and causing them to submerge and drown. It is also said that, if a man is saved from drowning, he would develop madness from Iara’s intervention, and that this could only be cured by a shaman.

The headless mule

This character is one of the best known in Brazilian folklore, although it is said that the story was brought by the Spaniards or the Portuguese. It is the story of a mule, described as brown or even gray, which has silver horseshoes and a burning torch instead of a head. They say that it runs wildly through woods and meadows, provoking frightening sounds from the silver on its footsteps, and neighing in such way that it seems to be the cries and sobs of a woman.

According to popular beliefs, before being a mule, it was a woman who had an affair with a priest, hence she was punished for it by being turned into the mentioned creature. After seeing herself transformed into such thing (It can see even though it has no head), it went crazy and ran towards the wild, crushing all the animals and people who crossed its path. Some people say that it is necessary to lie face down and hide their hands if it is spotted, since it can tear out people’s eyes, teeth and nails.

From this legend, different versions were born to take control over young women lives. They were told that if they lose their virginity before marriage, they would turn into a headless mule themselves, or that if they fell in love with a priest they would turn into this creature as punishment.

These three legends may introduce moral lessons according to the era of each story; For example, the respect for nature in the first one, gender equality in the second one, and integrity when having relationships according to old beliefs in the third one. Due to this reason, these tales allow us to learn a little bit more about the society of those times. Whatever message they share, these stories are worth knowing. Are there any similar legends in your country? You can tell us in the comments!

Shichi-go-san

by Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela | 03/06/2023 | Japan

The autumn is already here and in Japan the shichi-go-san (七五三, which translates as “seven-five-three”) festival is celebrated on 15 November, as it is every year. The main characters of this celebration are boys aged 3 and 5, and girls aged 3 and 7 (hence the name seven-five-three), and they are taken to temples to give thanks for their good health and to pray for their continued good health during their development.

In the past, children were susceptible to a wide variety of diseases in Japan and the infant mortality rate was a serious problem, with many not making it to the age of 7. During the Heian period (794-1192), noble families began to perform these rituals in which they would go to Shinto temples and pray for their children’s health: with boys at ages 3 and 5, and with girls at ages 3 and 7. They did so in the belief that odd numbers bring good luck. Later samurai families joined in this tradition and then the rest of the population.

Children wear traditional Japanese dress for the first time during shichi-go-san. At the age of three, girls are taken to temples wearing beautiful kimonos tied with laces, and at the age of seven, they wear for the first time the obi, which is a wide cloth sash worn over the kimono. This is considered an important ritual, called obitoki (帯解き), and was once considered to be the girls’ passage into adulthood.

Boys are allowed to have long hair from age three, as they are used to having their hair cut very short before that age. This ritual is called kamioki (髪置き). At the age of 5, children wear haori jackets and are allowed to wear hakama trousers, which are a complement to traditional dress, to represent the passage from childhood to adulthood. This second ritual was named hakamagi (袴着). However, the meaning of the rituals has changed, but the habit of the dress has remained.

Certainly, traditional Japanese costumes are expensive, due to the complexity of their elaboration. That is why many companies allow you to rent these costumes for children and adults for this kind of festivities. Even photography studios offer a package of costume rental and a photo session at the temples for families. Some people have opted for this option, and the family portrait in traditional dress has practically become part of the tradition.

As part of this tradition, children are also given a colourful bag of chitoseame (千歳飴), which means “thousand-year candy”. It is a candy stick, the shape of which symbolises longevity. The candies are white and red (lucky colours) and it is considered that the number of candies to be given to children should correspond to their age. For example, a three-year-old child is given three sweets.

Although children’s health is no longer an issue in Japan, the tradition has been preserved for centuries as a joyful celebration representing parents’ wishes for their children to live a long, full and happy life.

Punky Night

by Elvia Ninive Alcazar Vela | 04/11/2022 | England

By: Tania Machorro

Punky Night lands on October’s last Thursday. It is a Somerset tradition, although it is almost certainly linked with Halloween given that similar traditions can be found across the West Country.

Sometime in the Middle Ages, all the men of Hinton St George went off to a fair. When they failed to return that evening, the women went looking for them by the light of punkies. Punky is another name given to a pumpkin that has been hollowed out and has a candle standing inside it.

Traditionally on this night, children in the South of England carve their ‘Punkies‘ into Jack-O’-Lanterns. The streets of Hinton St. George are lit by the light of these Punkies. Once carved, the children go out in groups and march through the streets, singing traditional ‘punky’ songs, calling in at friendly houses, and competing against rival groups they meet along to see who has the best lantern.

Nowadays on Punky Night, local Somerset children join a procession through the village streets, swinging their homemade lanterns and going house to house, singing traditional ‘punky’ songs and sometimes getting a few pennies at the front doors.

It’s Punky Night, tonight,

Give us a candle, give us a light.

It’s Punky Night, tonight.