How our employees around the world celebrate their favourite festival

In Christian countries it is all about Christmas right now – but which festivals are celebrated elsewhere? Five colleagues told us about their favourite festival and what makes it so special to them.

When the temperature is dropping and leaves are falling, it’s not only winter that is coming – it also means Christmas is around the corner. Houses are being decorated both inside and outside, long nights are illuminated by sparkling lights, and people gather to drink some mulled wine. At least in Northern Europe, this is what the Christmas season looks like. But whether it is Christmas, Thanksgiving or Eid al-Fitr, these festivals all have one thing in common: they are all about gathering with loved ones, sharing good food and just having a good time. What’s more, this is often the only time of the year when the entire family comes together. Hapag-Lloyd is a global company with employees all over the world, so we wanted to know about the festivals that are most important to them. To do so, we spoke with five colleagues. They told us about their very personal family rituals of celebrating their most important festival. Besides Christmas, Thanksgiving and Eid al-Fitr, you will also learn about Inti Raymi in Cusco, Peru, a festival that might be less known but is rooted in the Inca culture. Another festival with a long tradition is the Tamil celebration Thaipusam, which is popular throughout Asia.

Eid al-Fitr – festival of breaking the fast
“Eid al-Fitr traditionally starts with a morning prayer,” says Mansoor Al Marzooqi, Director Facility Management in Dubai. “For the prayer, I go with my family to our local mosque.” Everyone puts on new clothes before the prayer as “a sign of fresh beginnings,” he continues, adding with a laugh that “you don’t actually see it is new, since all the clothes we wear are white.” After the prayer, it’s extended family time. “I have six siblings and they each have kids, so we are quite a big group,” the Dubai native says. “We all go to my parents’ house first, as they are the eldest and it is custom that younger visit older relatives.” Then it is finally time for some food – the feast that everybody has been waiting for during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Al Marzooqi’s family usually prepares a whole goat cooked with rice and served with various side dishes. “Everyone brings something of what they have cooked, so you actually end up with a great variety of dishes,” he adds. “But we also share with those who don’t have anything to eat. It’s all about sharing.”

Hygge Christmas
Christmas for Janni Mortensen is simply “hygge”. This Danish word is used to describe a feeling or moment that is cozy, charming or special – or maybe all at once. In the weeks before Christmas, Mortensen gets herself into the holiday spirit by making her famous “Marcipan Rulle” (marzipan roll). She decorates her house with loads of lights – especially outside. Inside, you will find many elves. “On Christmas Eve, it is custom that my children decorate our Christmas tree with different ornaments, glass Christmas balls and a star on top,” says the Senior Coordinator Customer Export from Holte, just outside Copenhagen. “I just love all the decorations, the atmosphere and most of all, of course, that we come together as a family,” she continues. “Two of my children live farther away. And it is just a wonderful occasion to get everyone together – especially now that I have two grandchildren.” On December 24, Mortensen traditionally serves duck with red cabbage, caramelised potatoes and gravy. However, the really special dish comes last: rice pudding with warm cherry sauce, of which one portion hides an almond. Whoever gets that almond will receive a little gift. “Getting the almond brings luck. And, of course, it’s also nice to get a gift – usually I buy something made of marzipan,” she says with a smile (perhaps you’ve figured out by now what she associates Christmas with most).

Thaipusam – celebrating Lord Subramaniam
When the streets are full of praying people carrying milk pots on their heads or hanging from wooden beams on their shoulders, then you know it is Thaipusam. Many pilgrims are also pierced with two skewers – one through the tongue, and one through the cheeks. To show their devotion, some even carry elaborate frameworks on their shoulders that have long chains hanging down with hooks at the end that are pushed into their backs, decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. All of these burdens are called “kavadi.” “THAIPUSAM IS THE most important festival for the Tamil community,” explains E-Business Manager Murugiah Suppiramaniam. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Subramaniam – one of the many names for the Hindu god Murugan – who represents virtue, youth and power and is the destroyer of evil. “I have actually not joined the procession for some years now, since you only do that when your vow has been fulfilled,” Suppiramaniam says. “But I always go to the temple in the morning of Thaipusam with my wife and two kids to do prayers and receive blessings from the priest.”

Inca New Year – Inti Raymi
Her grandmother grew up in the southeastern city of Cusco and always told her about the parades held during Inti Raymi, the Incan festival that pays tribute to the sun god, Inti. So, this year, Claudia López decided to go there and see for herself: “I went with my brother and sister, and it was just magical,” she says. “The parades, the ceremonies – they were very colourful and just so beautiful to watch. It really brought out my Peruvian pride.” The festival traditionally starts in the morning in front of the Incan temple of the sun. With the arrival of representatives from the four provinces of the former Inca Empire – Qullasuyu, Kuntisuyu, Antisuyu and Chinchaysuyu – the “Sapa Inca” (as the emperor was known) opens the festivities with invocations to and praise of the sun god. From there, the royal entourage continues on to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where a ceremonial reading of the sacred cocoa leaf takes place to foresee the fate of the Inca Empire for the upcoming year. “Each district performs a traditional dance,” the Customer Service Booking Coordinator explains. “My grandmother used to dance in one of the parades. Seeing this now really touched me.” The final part of the re-enactment, the traditional sacrifice, takes place at Sacsayhuamán. “It’s an ancient Incan fortress that is actually difficult to climb,” López says, “but it’s definitely worth it!”

Thanksgiving – celebrating the harvest
“I’m always hosting Thanksgiving, and I love it,” says Corrie Archer, Coordinator Transport Dispatch in Lisle, Illinois. Each year, around 30 people gather around her living room table. “It’s basically family and friends, though sometimes someone brings someone new along,” she explains. “But that’s also what it’s all about: bringing people together.” Her family has Italian roots, which means that – in addition to some tasty starters, such as shrimp cocktail alongside cheese and crackers – Italian pasta with meatballs is a must. “We always need a break after that,” she says with a laughs, “because we still need some space for the real thing on Thanksgiving – which is the turkey, of course.” It comes along with traditional side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and vegetables. Another family custom in the Archer household is that everybody brings something. “That’s so I don’t have to do all the work by myself,” Archer says. “Though, of course, we always end up with lots of leftovers.”However, before the feast gets started, there’s yet another family tradition: each year, one of the kids reads a blessing and another says grace.