CELEBRATION! Worldwide: festivals of lights

Make a lantern for the festivals of lights: Diwali, Loy Krathong, Christmas, and Hanukkah. Learn more about the festivals of light in Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Buddhism, and light a candle in your new lantern at home! The Wereldmuseum Amsterdam is hosting Feest! Wereldwijd (Worldwide Celebration) from November 15 to December 14, dedicated to festivals of light.

People depend on light from the moment they first encounter it. Light brings life! Festivals of light are celebrations of the victory of light over darkness. During these festivals, we seek the warmth of light by being together and celebrating together. At the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, we are making lanterns for the following festivals of light:

Diwali

During Diwali, Hindus place small lights called diyas everywhere. These lights are meant to make the house feel warm and welcoming for the goddess Lakshmi. Everyone celebrates together, young and old. The lights are supposed to bring good luck and prosperity.

Christmas

At Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. They light candles because Jesus is called the “light of the world.” The candle reminds them that Jesus brings light and hope.

Hanukkah

Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah. For eight days, they light a candle in a special candelabra every evening. Each day, another candle is added until the entire candelabra is lit. With all that light, they celebrate an ancient event in which a small amount of oil burned for eight days.

Loy Krathong

In Thailand, people celebrate Loy Krathong. They make small boats out of leaves, usually in the shape of a lotus flower, with a candle, incense, and sometimes coins on top. In the evening, they put the boats in the water. As they float away, the lights symbolically take away bad luck.

We make a lantern that combines all these light festivals and reflect together on the special traditions associated with them. This way, you learn more about these festivals and make a beautiful lantern for yourself. Come to Wereldmuseum Amsterdam and let your light shine!

• When: every Saturday and Sunday from November 15 to December 14
• Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., doors open until 3:30 p.m.
• For whom: ages 4+
• Location: FEEST! Worldwide
• Price: free activity (included with museum admission)
• Reservations: not possible, join in if there is space available.
• Please note: this activity is not for after-school care groups. See our offer for after-school care groups.
• More information: 088 – 0042 840 (Mon–Fri: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Is it your birthday and do you want to have a party for your friends in Wereldmuseum? Look at all the possibilities. 

Festivities! Worldwide is part of Feest! Weet wat je viert (Holidays! What are we celebrating?), an initiative of Museum Catharijneconvent, www.feestweetwatjeviert.nl (in Dutch only).