http://couv.com Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:49:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. http://couv.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://couv.com/category/lifestyles/faith-lifestyles http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:01:00 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12770 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-venezuela/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,romelia alvarado,venezuela In the last of 10 features on Christmas around the world we visit Venezuela with Romelia Alvarado. - Romelia Alvarado: In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by El Niño Jesus (Baby Jesu... In the last of 10 features on Christmas around the world we visit Venezuela with Romelia Alvarado. Romelia Alvarado: In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. As in Colombia, the presents are brought by El Niño Jesus (Baby Jesus) instead of Papá Noél (Santa Claus). The unofficial start of the Christmas festivities is after the celebrations of Feria de la Chinita, second half of November. The origin of this festival is the celebration of the Virgin Mary of Chiquinquirá, when various religious activities, processions, and music in the typical Gaita style take place to honor La Chinita, (nickname of this Virgin). This event takes place in the Zulia Region, specifically in Maracaibo, the regional capital. After this, other cities join in the festivities and many activities take place including musical events and firework displays. In many cities, small rural towns and neighborhoods get together for the patinatas night festivals where children go and play with skateboards, roller blades and bicycles. These events are usually sponsored by the local church, where neighbors organize themselves and sell typical Christmas food, hot chocolate, hallaca, cookies, etc. Also, still in some neighborhoods there is the Parranda where people go from one house to house with music and Christmas songs. The singers stops at neighbors' houses to get some food and drinks. In the Venezuelan Andes there is the same tradition of this kind of event, but residents there carry an image of Baby Jesus called Paradura del Niño. Children write request letters to Baby Jesus. The presents are sent by Baby Jesus at midnight, and most people have a party, which goes on until sunrise. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Romelia Alvarado Merry Christmas, from the staff at COUV.COM! Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:24 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:30:04 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12383 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-norway/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,norway Christmas Around the World is a ten-part series. This audio podcast on Norway is narrated by Ed Stortro, who created this series. His father grew up in Norway and immigrated to Canada and the U.S. Ed Stortro was born in Vancouver, Canada, Christmas Around the World is a ten-part series. This audio podcast on Norway is narrated by Ed Stortro, who created this series. His father grew up in Norway and immigrated to Canada and the U.S. Ed Stortro was born in Vancouver, Canada, and has lived in the States since he was five. Ed Stortro: According to tradition, church bells are heard chiming in all the cities of Norway calling the people to church at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when celebrations begin. Many weeks before, the familes are busy making gifts for Christmas and preparing food to be stored against the long winter. Cheese and sausages are made. Breads and animal-shaped cookies are baked. Little colored candles for the tree are finished, and the lutefisk is ready. One of the most charming customs of Norway is the remembrance of the animals and birds, since they were the only ones present at the birth of the Holy Babe. The farm beasts are carefully tended, and the cattle are given extra fodder. But the most beautiful of all the customs is saved for the birds. The especially gleaned sheaf, saved from the fall harvest, is placed on top of a tall pole in the yard – and on Christmas morning, every gable, gateway and barn door is decorated with a bundle of grain – the birds’ Christmas dinner. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription and voice over by Ed Stortro Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 2:20 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:03:19 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12369 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-france/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,France,nate foreman,nathan foreman Christmas in France is celebrated mainly in a religious manner, though secular ways of celebrating the occasion also exist, such as Christmas fairs, decorations and carols. Nate Foreman shares about Christmas in France. Christmas in France is celebrated mainly in a religious manner, though secular ways of celebrating the occasion also exist, such as Christmas fairs, decorations and carols. Nate Foreman shares about Christmas in France. Children do not hang Christmas stockings but put their shoes by the fireplace so Père Noël, Father Christmas or Santa Claus, as you might say, can give them gifts Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:52 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:40:32 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12351 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-germany/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,Germany,igor schlidt Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast on Germany is narrated by Igor Schlidt. Igor Schlidt grew up in Paderborn, which is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Today, he lives with his wife in Vancouver. Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast on Germany is narrated by Igor Schlidt. Igor Schlidt grew up in Paderborn, which is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Today, he lives with his wife in Vancouver. Igor Schlidt: In Germany, Christmas traditions vary by region. On Saint Nicholas' Day, the 6th of December, Saint Nicholas puts goodies in children's shoes. Sometimes, St. Nicholas visits children in kindergartens, schools or at public events. They have to recite a short poem or sing a song in order to get sweets or a small gift. The actual Christmas gift-giving (Bescherung) usually takes place on Christmas Eve. This tradition first began with the Reformation. Gifts may be brought by the Weihnachtsmann, (Christmas man), who resembles either St. Nicholas or the American Santa Claus, or by Christkindl. The children often stay up as late as they like, often till the early hours of the morning. The Christmas Tree is first put up and decorated on the morning of the 24th. The gifts are then placed under the tree. Often after Christmas Vespers in the church and an evening meal, the father usually goes into the room where the tree is standing, lights the candles and rings a little bell. It is still a custom to sing Christmas songs around the tree before opening up the presents. The feast either takes place at supper on Christmas Eve or on the first day of Christmas. Carp is eaten in many parts of the country. Potato salad with frankfurter or wiener sausages is popular in some families. In all parts of Germany you find a wide variety of Christmas cookies baked according to recipes typical for the family. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Igor Schlidt Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:11 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:35:04 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12317 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-russia/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,russia,tanya ivanov,tatyana ivanov Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Tatyana (Tanya) Ivanov. Tanya Ivanov was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the U.S. when she was five. She now lives in Vancouver. - Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Tatyana (Tanya) Ivanov. Tanya Ivanov was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the U.S. when she was five. She now lives in Vancouver. Tanya Ivanov: As in other Eastern Orthodox countries, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. Unlike its Western counterparts, Christmas is mainly a religious event in Russia. On Christmas Eve, 6 January, there are several long services, including the Royal Hours and Vespers combined with the Divine Liturgy. The family will then return home for the traditional Christmas Eve "Holy Supper," which consists of 12 dishes, one to honor each of the Twelve Apostles.   Devout families will then return to church for the всеночная, All Night Vigil. Then again, on Christmas Morning, for the заутренняя, Divine Liturgy of the Nativity. The tradition of celebrating Christmas has been revived since 1992, after decades of suppression by the Communist government. Christmas is now a national holiday in Russia, as part of the ten-day holiday at the start of every new year. While Christmas is increasingly important, many Russians continue to focus on the New Year's celebration. During the Soviet period, religious celebrations were discouraged. However, a number of Russian Christmas traditions were kept alive by shifting them to the secular New Year celebration. These include the decoration of a tree, or yolka, festive decorations and family gatherings, the visit by gift-giving Дед Мороз, Grandfather Frost, and his granddaughter, Снегурочка, The Snowmaiden. Many of these were brought to Russia by Peter the Great after his Western travels in the late 17th century. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Tanya Ivanov Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 2:50 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:15 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12271 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-columbia/feed 0 audio,christmas,Columbia,ed stortro,romelia alvarado Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Romelia Alvarado. She lived seven years in Guatemala with her missionary parents before moving to Louisville, Ky. Today, she works in Vancouver but returns often to visit... Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Romelia Alvarado. She lived seven years in Guatemala with her missionary parents before moving to Louisville, Ky. Today, she works in Vancouver but returns often to visit her family in Kentucky. Romelia Alvarado: Columbia. Christmas is a public holiday in Colombia and is primarily a religious celebration. Presents are brought by El Niño Jesus or Niño Dios which means Baby Jesus instead of Papá Noél (Father Christmas), whose gift giving role has been downplayed some by the Church. However, Santa Claus is still an important Christmas figure, as Santa decorations are common, and Santa can be seen posing for pictures at shopping malls. While Christmas decorations may be put up as early as the beginning of November, the unofficial start of Colombian Christmas festivities takes place on December 7, Día de las Velitas, or "Day of the Candles." At night, the streets, sidewalks, balconies, porches, and driveways are decorated with candles and paper lanterns, which illuminate cities and towns in a yellow glow to honor the Immaculate Conception on the following day, December 8. In many cities, and even in small rural towns, neighborhoods get together and decorate their whole neighborhood or street, turning streets into virtual "tunnels of light." Activities such as musical events and firework displays are planned by cities and held during this time. Individually launched fireworks were a common item during the Christmas season in Columbia. December 16 is the first day of the Christmas Novena, a devotion consisting of prayer said on nine successive days, the last one held on Christmas Eve. The Novena is promoted by the Catholic Church as a staple of Christmas, and is very similar to the posadas celebrated in Mexico. It is a call for an understanding of the religious meaning of Christmas, and a way to counter the commercialism of the Christmas season. Individual traditions concerning the Novena may vary, but most families set up a pesebre (manger scene), sing religious Christmas carols called villancicos accompanied by tambourines, bells, and other simple percussion instruments, and read verses from the Bible, as well as an interpretation which may change from year to year. Novenas serve as beautiful religious gatherings as well as learning environments for young children since kids have a central and active role in the celebration of the Novenas They read prayers, sing, and play instruments guided by their family. From December 16 to 18, games called aguinaldos are played after having made a "pinky promise" deciding the prize for the winner and the punishment for the loser. The games include Hablar y no contestar (Give but don't receive), Pajita en boca (Straw in the mouth), Tres pies (Three feet), Beso robado (Stolen kisses), and Si y al no (Yes or no). Churches offer dawn and nightly masses during the nine days of the Novena, culminating with the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) on Christmas Eve at midnight. Christmas Eve is the most important day of Christmas in Colombia. Families and friends get together to pray the last Novena and wait until midnight to open the presents. Parties are held until sunrise on Christmas Day. Kids stay up late playing with their new presents, and fireworks fill the skies. Families gather around meals, music, and singing. Because Christmas Eve is the most important day, little occurs on December 25. Families join Christmas Day mass although it is not nearly as festive as Christmas Eve. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Romelia Alvarado Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 4:16 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-india http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-india#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:30:52 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12258 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-india/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,India,mohit abraham,santa claus Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Mohit Abraham. He grew up in the United Arab Emirates and now lives in Vancouver with his wife and family. - Mohit Abraham: Christians are a small minority in India wit... Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Mohit Abraham. He grew up in the United Arab Emirates and now lives in Vancouver with his wife and family. Mohit Abraham: Christians are a small minority in India with only 2.3% of the population. But because of the many British traditions that have stayed on since independence in 1947, Christmas is still a state holiday. Sincere devotees attend the church services. Often times it’s a midnight service, sort of a candle light service, which I remember from my childhood. And many of the schools that are run by the Christian missionaries, the children actively participate in special programmes. And even in non-religious schools, there is tradition of Christmas celebration. There are many different languages and cultures in India. So, Christmas is known in a variety of different titles. In Hindi and Urdu, Happy or Merry Christmas is Bade Din ki Mubarak; in Sanskrit it is Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa; in Telugu Christhu jayanthi shubhakankshalu; in Tamil it's Christhu Jayanthi Nalvaalthukal; and in Punjabi it's Christmas diya vadiyia. In India, Santa Claus is known as Father Christmas in different languages. In Hindi it’s Christmas Baba, in Telugu and Tamil Christmas Thaathaa. Traditionally, he’s been known to be the giver of presents to children. His mode of transportation is a horse and a cart. So, even though it is not widely celebrated as a religious holiday, lots of people still get into Christmas. You can see days before the festival markets take on a colourful look as they are decorated with traditional Christmas trees, stars are a big part of Christmas decorations in India, tree toppers often times but also, just hanging around the house. They’ll be stars with bulbs in them so they are lit, multi-colored, multi-shaped, multi sizes. So, it’s a very festive look. Images of Santa or Father Christmas is often, becoming more and more popular, and balloons and other types of decorations. Where I grew up in India, gifts were actually hardly ever exchanged. The highlight of Christmas for us as children was the fireworks that our parents would buy large bunches of firecrackers and other kinds of fun fireworks for kids to play with. And then the fact, that all the family would get together in early morning Christmas day for a sunrise service, and then have a huge breakfast slash brunch meal right afterwards. Andd the kids would play together. And then you would see groups of people going house to house caroling. So, that was almost always the highlight of Christmas for us. And Christmas trees were always outside, you know was never cut down, was always whatever tree was closest to the house was used. And the kids would decorate it with as many things that they could find and lit up Christmas Eve. So, that is what it was like for me growing up. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Mohit Abraham Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 4:12 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-philippines http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-philippines#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:30:44 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12241 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-philippines/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,holiday,mila romine,philippines,santa claus Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Mila (pronounced Mee La) Romine who grew up south of Manila in Bicol, Philippines. She has been living in the United States for the last 16 years. - Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Mila (pronounced Mee La) Romine who grew up south of Manila in Bicol, Philippines. She has been living in the United States for the last 16 years. Mila Romine: Christmas in the Philippines, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, the other one being East Timor, is one of the biggest holidays on the calendar and is widely celebrated. The season is traditionally ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16, known as the Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses), or Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish. These masses are more popularly known in Tagalog as the Simbang Gabi. Usually, other days in close proximity such as Christmas Eve (December 24), Día de los Santos Inocentes (December 28), and the Epiphany on the first Sunday of January, are also declared non-working days.   As in many East Asian countries, secular Christmas displays are common both in business establishments and in public, including lights, Christmas trees, depictions of Santa Claus (despite the tropical climate), and Christmas greetings in English and various Philippine languages and dialects. For Filipinos, Christmas Eve (Tagalog: Bisperas ng Pasko; Spanish: Víspera del Día de Navidad) is celebrated with the Midnight Mass. And immediately after the traditional Christmas Eve feast, family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Nochebuena fare, which may include: queso de bola (Spanish: "ball of cheese"; this is actually edam cheese), Tsokolate (a hot chocolate drink), and jamón (Christmas ham), lechón, queso de bola, roast chicken or turkey pasta relleno (stuffed bangus or chicken), pan de sal, and various desserts including cakes and the ubiquitous fruit salad. Some would also open presents at this time. Christmas officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings (Tres Reyes in Spanish or Tatlong Hari in Tagalog), also known as the Feast of the Epiphany (Spanish: Fiesta de Epifanía). The Feast of the Three Kings was celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Year. Some children leave their shoes out, in the belief that the Three Kings will leave gifts like candy or money inside. The final salvo of these celebrations is marked by the feast of the Black Nazarene every January 9 in Manila, but can even extend till the final weeks of that month. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Mila Romine Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:59 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-israel http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-israel#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:30:57 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=12141 http://couv.com/lifestyles/people/christmas-in-israel/feed 0 audio,christmas,ed stortro,holiday,Israel,koby levy Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Koby Levy, who was born and raised in Israel, served as company commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, and is founder and CEO of WAKA Systems, Christmas Around the World is a 10-part series. This audio podcast is narrated by Koby Levy, who was born and raised in Israel, served as company commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, and is founder and CEO of WAKA Systems, an international business development company. Koby Levy: It is important to note that some of the key Christian sites in the Holy Land are now split geographically. Some reside within Israel while others are in the Palestinian authority controlled territories. Israeli Arab population is estimated at about 1.6 million, representing over 20 percent of the country's population. The bulk majority of them are of the Muslim faith, and thus do not celebrate Christmas, but there is a minority of under 10 percent Christian Arabs who do celebrate Christmas. Given the diversity of denominations among Christian Israeli Arabs, some celebrate with the western churches on the Gregorian 25th of December, while others with the eastern churches on the Gregorian 7th of January on the following year. The pattern of Christmas observance among the Palestinians residing in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is similar to that of the Israeli Arabs. Although Christianity is a minority in Israel, Christmas is important in both areas due to the region’s significance as the place where Jesus lived, and as a destination for Christian pilgrims around the world, especially during Christmas time. Bethlehem (pronounced Beit Lechem – house of bread), where Jesus was born, lies in the West Bank, only a short distance from Jerusalem - with the Church of the Nativity being a prominent symbol of the city for both Christian and Muslim alike as well as a site of pilgrimage for thousands annually. Nazareth (pronounced Nazeret) - Jesus’ hometown and another pilgrimage site - is a mixed Jewish/Israeli Arab city lying in the northern part Israel. Finally, Jerusalem (or Yerushalyim), is home for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; although it is overall the largest center of Christian pilgrimage, its associations with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus tend to focus pilgrims towards Eastertime rather than Christmas. Christian pilgrimage makes up a significant proportion of the Palestinian economy in the West Bank, and accounts for a substantial proportion of tourism to Israel as well. CREDITS Audio captured and edited by Ed Stortro Audio transcription by Ed Stortro Voice over Koby Levy Audio and video stories from Southwest Washington. no 3:23 http://couv.com/community/happy-thanksgiving http://couv.com/community/happy-thanksgiving#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:30:21 +0000 COUV.COM staff http://couv.com/?p=10298 http://couv.com/community/happy-thanksgiving/feed 0