DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Russian Christmas is celebrated later than in other countries, including the Untied States and most of Europe.  Most Russian Christians belong to the Orthodox Church.  The Orthodox Church uses the old Julian calendar to schedule holidays.  Since they use a different calendar, their Christmas celebrations are 13 days later, on January 7th.    After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Christmas was banned throughout Russia, as were other religious celebrations.  Christmas was forbidden to be openly celebrated for 75 years.  In 1992, Christmas was once again allowed to be openly observed.    Today, Christmas is once again celebrated in grand fashion.  Cathedrals are filled with incense, and the faithful participate in all night masses, amidst with painted icons of Saints.    The Christmas Eve meal is served after evening mass.  The Christmas Eve feast is also a meatless meal.    The table is covered by a white table cloth, symbolizing Christ's swaddling clothes.  Hay is brought

    Aloha Festival is Hawai'i’s premier cultural showcase, a celebration of Hawai'i’s music, dance and history intended to preserve the unique island traditions. HISTORY    HONOLULU’S 65 year-old Aloha Festivals is the oldest and largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the United States. What is known today as Aloha Festivals was created in 1946, as Aloha Week - a cultural celebration of Hawai'i’s music, dance and history intended to perpetuate our unique traditions. A group of former Jaycees - known as the Jaycees Old-timers of Hawai'i - had the vision to create a public celebration to honor Hawai'i’s cosmopolitan heritage, yet created a celebration which has itself become a state-wide tradition.    Aloha Week became Aloha Festivals in 1991. Aloha Festivals has become a celebration of our Hawaiian culture. Integrated into the culture are many island traditions and customs of each of the Hawaiian islands. Thousands of volu