Discover Ramadan, the holy month of Islam Ramadan, the holy month of Islam and the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is celebrated worldwide. This year’s Ramadan began on Friday, February 28, 2025 and lasts until Saturday, March 29, 2025. But what do you know about this holiday? If you want to know more, read on! What is Ramadan, the holy month of Islam? Ramadan is considered the holy month of Islam because it is believed that the Quran was revealed during this time. Indeed, God revealed the holy book of Islam in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad as a guide. To celebrate and commemorate this meaningful event, Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to sunset for a month. However, for Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is not just about fasting: it’s about a spiritual reset! The rules of Ramadan, the holy month of Islam Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan according to the following rules: Fasting and not drinking from dawn to sunset, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Praying the five usual mandatory prayers as well as nightly prayers known as Taraweeh. Strengthening one’s connection to God, especially by reading the Quran. Being charitable and generous to others. In fact, giving – known as Zakat – is mandatory and another of the five pillars of Islam. Showing forgiveness and mercy to everyone. Being patient, self-disciplined and humble. Spending time with fellow Muslims by praying and eating together. Celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. A global holiday More than 1.8...
Day of the Dead and Mexico’s festivities Mexico has many annual celebrations, but one of the most iconic is the Day of the Dead. Along with the Day of the Dead and its various festivals and carnivals, the country has several other great celebrations, each with its own unique quirks and fun things to do! Almost all of the country’s national holidays are designed as an opportunity to remember Mexico’s heritage and enjoy its culture. For example, the February carnivals in cities such as Veracruz, Ciudad de México and Mérida celebrate Mexico’s religious and indigenous heritage. Of course, some are more serious and celebrate important political events, such as Mexico’s Independence Day on 16 September. The Day of the Dead could be seen as something in between: remembering our deceased family members is serious, yes, but why not celebrate their lives instead of mourning their deaths? What is Day of the Dead all about? The Day of the Dead tradition blends Mesoamerican rituals with some elements of European religions and dates back 3,000 years. The Aztec and Nahua people believed that death was as important as life because they saw the universe as a cycle of birth and death of all things. So instead of seeing death as the end, they saw it as another step on the journey. In the myth of the Day of the Dead, a person travels to Chicunamictlán, or the Land of the Dead, where they die. The soul’s goal is to reach its final resting place, known as Mictlán. The festival takes place every year between 31 October and 2 November. According to...
Unveiling the enchantment of Italy Summer in Italy is a vibrant season of cultural festivals, lively events and warm weather, making it the ideal time to explore and enjoy the country. Italy captivates visitors with its diverse and vibrant offerings. Located in southern Europe, Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula that juts into the Mediterranean Sea. It is renowned for its summer festivals, each reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and regional traditions. Immerse yourself in Italian culture: Experience a summer in Italy Italy is known for its rich and varied culture, and getting together is an important part of the country’s traditions. Ferragosto, the day of the Assumption of Mary, is a national cultural festival held on 15th August. This day, everyone celebrates with family reunions, beach trips and fireworks. Many towns and cities hold local festivals and processions. With its diverse landscapes, historic sites, and cultural attractions, Italy offers endless opportunities for summer exploration. Explore ancient ruins such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in Rome or visit the Vatican City, marvel at Renaissance art in Florence, or enjoy the modern elegance of Milan. Take in the stunning scenery and views of charming towns like Positano and Amalfi or take a boat tour through Venice. Summers in Italy are enchanting. Also, the summer festivals and other cultural events fuel the country’s music, sports and tourism industries. Summer in Italy: Festivals and cuisine Summer in Italy is synonymous with vibrant festivals. In July and August, the historic Palio di Siena, a thrilling horse race, transforms Siena’s Piazza del Campo into a medieval extravaganza. Venice celebrates the Festa del...
Savouring Central European Christmas: a cultural and culinary expedition ‘Tis the season! As the holiday season spirit embraces us, join the Lingo Star team – a diverse group deeply rooted in the traditions of Slovakia, Italy, the Czech Republic and Germany. Unwrap the festive tapestry of these rich cultures. Savour not only the culinary delights but also the universal language of shared customs that bind us together during this joyous season. Slovakia: Eastern European elegance In Slovakia, Christmas is celebrated on December 24th and is marked by unique traditions that add magic to the season. The first meal of the day, Christmas Eve dinner, holds a special place in Slovak traditions. Legend has it that if you refrain from eating all day, you may be rewarded with a glimpse of a golden pig! Christmas traditions and dishes vary from region to region and family to family. Wafers with honey and garlic kick off the feast, followed by a main course of fish, mushroom, or cabbage soup. Some families add prunes to cabbage soup for a unique and delicious twist. Fish, especially carp, with traditional potato salad, is a staple of the Christmas meal. No Slovak Christmas is complete without an array of cookies and cakes adorning homes. Some families go the extra mile and bake 8-10 different types of cookies every year. On Christmas Eve, Baby Jesus, or Ježiško in Slovak, takes centre stage, bringing presents for children under the twinkling tree. To add to the festivities, Slovakia also celebrates St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6th. Children eagerly place their shoes by the door or window in anticipation of...
Numerous articles and studies have now been written and published about the benefits of multilingualism. You only have to Google these last three words to get thousands of results. If you have a little bilingual child and you’re stuck for what presents to buy this year, why not put multilingual toys under the Christmas tree? Here’s a brief rundown on why you should! Why is learning another language good for us? Back in the 1920s through to the 1960s, the tendency was to find that bilingual children were not as efficient thinkers as monolingual children. The good news today is that the latest research has shown that bilinguals have thinking advantages over monolinguals. Early research was flawed. It didn’t compare like-for-like subjects (different social and educational backgrounds) and tested bilinguals in their weaker language. Today’s research across the world shows that bilinguals are more fluent, flexible, and creative thinkers, and move more speedily through the stages of cognitive development. But over and above the personal linguistic and cognitive advantages, knowing two or more languages also enables communication beyond national borders. It helps to understand other cultures and to better integrate our globalized societies. When is it best to start learning another language? Therefore, if the above is indeed true, it makes sense that the earlier a child learns a second language, the better. Not simply because the earlier children are aware of differences, the better, but because young children learn languages just as naturally as they learn to walk, run, or jump. They’re not concerned about mistakes or mispronunciation; they keep trying and acquire the words they need to...
Relation between travel and translation If you look in a dictionary, you will discover that the English term “translation” has two meanings. The first one says: the process of translating words or text from one language into another. The second one states: the process of moving something from one place to another. We can say that travel and translation are rather connected. A traveller moves from a place to another in order to discover new cities, new words and new cultures. In the same way, translating is a passage from one language to another, from a source culture to a target one. Thus, travel and translation are very much interconnected as they both focus on the idea of movement and passage. So, what happens when a traveller simply moves with their language and culture to another country? Travel books and translation Travel literature translated into many different languages tells us about foreign countries so we can understand facts about other cultures. By reading travel books we can discover new countries. They unveil for us what is hiding out there in the big world. They also allow us to study and compare different cultures. At the same time, a travel writer or a travel blogger translates new travel experiences. They also tell us about another reality by converting their travel experiences into a travel book or a travel blog. The most important moment of a trip and a tale starts when a traveller arrives in some unknown place and must find their way into a new culture. Similarly, a translator describes an experience by translating it from one language to...
