St Martin's Night: '11 November is de dag!'
Author(s): Expatica/NG? or otherwise Unknown.
Article was Published: 9/11/2012
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Paragraph:
Children in the Flandish (Northern) part of Belgium go from door to door singing carols about Saint Martin. They sing numerous times hoping to get candy in return. It is basically the Belgium version of Halloween. On this day, holiday gifts are given, and received, while none are given out on Christmas day, or Dec. 6. This is a joyous holiday for children of all ages.
Opinion Paragraph:
I believe that it is good that these kids have a holiday like this. It ties in culture aspects of "American" culture in an indirect way, but it leaves it completely dominant to itself, meaning it might have the same look, but inside they are rooted different. I really like this article, because of the identity it brings with it to describe these children in a way that they are truly apart of culture.
Tie-In Paragraph:
This article ties into the culture of Belgium, because it shows a specific holiday that they celebrate that nobody else does. It is an important part of the country, because it distinguishes them from another country, like America, because that even though they practice the same idea, each is different, and suited for their own respective country, and traditions. Belgium children represent that culture, and what takes place within it, they are thee ones shaping their own culture.