Discussion of American Holiday Traditions at Vilnius Simono Daukanto Gymnasium
December 22, 2011
On December 20th, ODC Chief Cynthia Matuskevich, Staff Sergeant Benjamin Maynard, Political Officer Christina Almeida, HR Assistant Inesa Pikciunaite, and Cultural Affairs Assistant Rasa Peciukoniene visited Vilnius Simono Daukanto Gymnasium to discuss the holiday traditions of Americans.
Around 60 students, English teachers and school administrators greeted the Embassy representatives when they arrived at the school. Lt. Col Matuskevich had the pleasure of showing a slide presentation and explaining to students that American Holiday traditions today are a mix of cultural heritages, regional customs, and family traditions—all integrated from people’s personal travels and interactions.
Sergeant Maynard discussed the Christmas traditions of military families and the experience of being away from home, the food everyone eats, and the origins of Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping traditions. Christina discussed how the american holiday session is accentuated by immigrant traditions, and shared her personal stories about a Portuguese-American Christmas celebrations.
It was a mutually beneficial experience, as the students learned about the traditions of America’s Holiday Season, and our Embassy employees were able to learn more about the youth of Lithuania today.
