Key worldwide events, holidays and promotions in December 2023

Seasons Greetings, my wonderful subscribers! May the month bring you joy, happiness, and blessings! This issue of LEEP Ink covers themes in December 2023. The events covered in December 2022 are available here.

Winter arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere on December 21, the solstice.

For the Christian world, Advent (December 3-24), the four weeks leading up to Christmas on December 25, is a time of preparation and joy. Those of the Jewish faith celebrate Hanukkah between December 7 and 15.

As of December 1, 2023, LEEP Calendar will begin publishing on our WhatsApp channel. Please add the channel and join us for daily global quips about what is happening!

I'm switching things up a bit and putting the national holidays further down. Let's ease into December with some art...

Abstract of a woman in a perilous world—image LD Lewis

TURNER PRIZE

Date: December 5, 2023

Location: United Kingdom

Champion: Tate Gallery

Each year, the art world turns its gaze to the United Kingdom as the Tate Gallery awards the coveted Turner Prize, one of the most recognized honors in contemporary British visual arts.

Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is named after the 19th-century British landscape artist JMW Turner. It was conceived with the intent of promoting discussion about new developments in contemporary British art. The award is conferred to a British artist under 50 for an outstanding exhibition or presentation of their work in the preceding year.

The Tate Gallery oversees the prize's administration. A jury of art world professionals selects a shortlist of artists, typically numbering four. The nominees' works are then showcased in a special exhibition—this year at Towner Eastbourne, Devonshire Park, College Rd, Eastbourne, from September 28, 2023, through April 14, 2024.

The Turner Prize has a rich history of sparking debate and controversy, both for the artworks and artists it honors and the broader questions it raises about the nature and boundaries of contemporary art. Winners often lead avant-garde movements, challenging conventions and pushing artistic boundaries.

Despite occasional criticisms and controversies, the Turner Prize remains an emblem of innovation in the art world and continues to celebrate and elevate the work of groundbreaking British artists.

Sad, forgotten mitten on a fence in Galway, Ireland—photo LD Lewis

MITTEN TREE DAY

Date: December 6, 2023

Location: United States

Champion: Unofficial Event. No Sponsor

I love this picture, so I had to feature this event. It was taken at dusk during a New Year's holiday in Ireland a few years back. The city is Galway; the location is outside the hotel across from the city's bus depot—which makes this image perfect for this event.

The origin of Mitten Tree Day is uncertain. The likely story is that it originated from the 1995 children's book "The Mitten Tree" by Candace Christiansen. The book premiered September 30, 1995, so this event can't be associated with that anniversary or the author's birthday. Typically, these are the two primary reasons for declaring a day. However, it is very possible, as today is the death anniversary of Saint Nicolas (Nikolaos of Myra, March 15, 270 - December 6, 343 AD), that this is why someone chose the sixth.

The children's book recounts a woman who knitted mittens and hung them on an evergreen tree by a bus stop, thus allowing children without mittens to have a pair. Today, it is a tradition in many offices to have Mitten Tree, where employees hang coats, mittens, and scarves for charity donations during the holiday season.

The Al Ula mountains are one of the spectacular backdrops for the Winter at Tantora Festival in Saudi Arabia—photo LD Lewis.

WINTER AT TANTORA FESTIVAL

Dates: December 21 - January 27, 2024

Location: Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

Champion: Royal Commission for Al Ula

As the chill of winter settles over the desert, the ancient city of Al Ula comes alive with the echoes of the Winter at Tantora Festival, an annual event that not only celebrates the region's rich cultural tapestry but also marks the passage of time in a region's steeped in history. The Winter at Tantora Festival, named after the sundial located in Al Ula's old town, has become a symbol of the region's commitment to cultural heritage and arts.

The festival has grown in prominence over the past few years, featuring a wide array of events, from music concerts performed by international artists to local marketplaces showcasing traditional crafts and cuisine.

Al Ula is no stranger to the passage of civilizations, having been a vital crossroad on the incense trading routes that crisscrossed the Arabian Peninsula since antiquity. The area is home to spectacular sandstone mountains and the remains of kingdoms past. Hegra, also known as Mada'in Saleh, is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia and stands as a silent testament to the Nabataean civilization that once thrived here.

The festival provides entertainment and serves as a gateway for visitors to explore the archaeological wonders of Al Ula. It includes guided tours to ancient sites, which reveal rock inscriptions, tombs, and the innovative water management systems that supported life here thousands of years ago.

Beyond the draw of history, the festival has been pivotal in positioning Al Ula as a cornerstone in Saudi Arabia's burgeoning tourism industry. It is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative.

NORAD's Santa Tracker teaches children world geography while adding to the excitement of Christmas Eve every year since 1958—image NORAD Tracker.

NORAD SANTA TRACKER

Date: December 1-24, 2023

Location: Worldwide

Champion: NORAD

As children across the globe eagerly await Santa Claus's annual journey, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) ensures they can follow his sleigh's every move with its time-honored Santa Tracker.

The tradition began serendipitously in 1955 when a misprinted advertisement for Sears, a department store, directed children to call Santa directly. Instead, it connected them to the operations "hotline" of the then-Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Center.

Colonel Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, played along, giving callers updates on Santa's whereabouts. Building on that unexpected event, NORAD, CONAD's successor, has since provided "Santa tracking" as a free service every December leading up through Christmas Eve. Using radar, satellites, jet fighters, and even Santa Cams, NORAD ensures children — and the young at heart — can monitor Saint Nick's progress as he travels from the North Pole, delivering gifts around the world.

The evolution of technology has allowed this beloved program to grow exponentially. Initially only available via telephone, today's Santa Tracker includes a dynamic website, social media presence, and even mobile apps that provide real-time updates, interactive games, and videos.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers, including military personnel and their families, staff the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center, answering calls and emails from eager children from various parts of the world. The multilingual team ensures that kids from different cultures and languages can learn about Santa's journey and the magic of Christmas.

While NORAD's primary mission is to defend North America against military threats, the Santa Tracker serves as a heartwarming testament to the season's spirit, bridging military precision with the joy and wonder of the holidays.

A lone terrier in Romania watches the snow falling on Christmas Day—photo LD Lewis.

SADD AWARENESS MONTH

Date: December 1-31, 2023

Location: United States

Champion: National Institute of Health

December is the Seasonal Affective Disorder Depression (SADD) Awareness Month. It's a month that raises awareness about and educates people about SADD. It's much more than winter blues or autumn tiredness.

SADD is real and common. It is a severe type of depression characterized by low energy, depressed mood, hopelessness, irritability or anxiety, poor concentration, social withdrawal, changes in your sleep and appetite, a loss of interest in previously favorite activities, etc.

Symptoms manifest as the days become shorter and the nights longer. It is especially prevalent in regions without sufficient sunshine during the fall and winter months, like the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Russia, and Northern European countries.

The Game Awards are the "Oscars®" of the video gaming industry—photo The Game Awards.

THE GAME AWARDS

Date: December 7, 2023

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Ola Balola LLC

Amid the glitz and glamour of red carpets and celebrity appearances, The Game Awards is a testament to the soaring heights and cultural relevance of the video game industry. This annual event honors the year's best in gaming, from blockbuster titles to indie gems.

The year 2014 saw the inception of The Game Awards, thanks to the vision of Geoff Keighley, a Canadian video game journalist, television presenter, and producer. Keighley aimed to create a dedicated platform recognizing achievements in the gaming world, akin to what the Oscars represent for film.

Nominees vie for multiple awards, including "Best Art Direction," "Best Sound Design," and the coveted "Game of the Year." A jury of international media outlets determines winners and, for some categories, votes from the public. The Game Awards also presents premieres of upcoming titles, musical performances, and discussions on industry trends, making it a must-watch for gamers worldwide.

Over the years, The Game Awards has expanded its reach, incorporating aspects of digital culture, game-related content creators, and the emerging esports scene. With categories like "Best e-sports Athlete" and "Best Gaming Content Creator," the awards reflect the evolving interactive entertainment landscape.

In addition to honoring the industry's artistic and technical achievements, The Game Awards provides a platform for discussion on topics including diversity in gaming, the importance of mental health, and the evolution of game design.

The awards are broadcast live from Los Angeles and watched by millions worldwide. The Game Awards continues to grow in stature and influence, solidifying its place as a significant event in the global entertainment calendar.

Statue of The Buddha in a Japanese Garden—promptography LD Lewis.

BODHI DAY

Date: December 8, 2023

Location: Japan

Champion: National Buddhist Celebration

Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, on the anniversary of his becoming the Buddha on December 8, 532 BC.

Japan celebrates this event annually on December 8th. However, China celebrates it on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month in the Chinese Calendar, which is why there is more than one Bodhi Day.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Nepal, a source of great pride for the Himalayan country.

Genocide is a Crime Against Humanity—promptography LD Lewis.

INTERNATIONAL VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE DAY

Date: December 9, 2023

Location: Worldwide

Champion: United Nations

International Victims of Genocide Day has the longest official name of any event in the calendar: International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime. This day marks the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by the United Nations and its member states on December 9, 1948. The organization began observing this day in 2015.

The terms "massacre" and "genocide" both refer to extreme acts of violence, but they differ significantly in scope, intent, and legal definition.

Massacre—A massacre refers to a single event or series of events where there's a deliberate and violent killing of at least 50 individuals, though culturally, most mass murders are referred to as such today. Massacres can be politically, ethnically, or religiously motivated, or they can arise from other sources of conflict. A massacre occurs over a short period (hours or days) and may or may not have intent or premeditation. Massacres, when occurring during conflict or occupation, usually fall under war crimes.

Genocide—Genocide is a term that has a specific legal definition under international law for the large-scale intentional murder of one group of people by another. It denotes a systematic effort by one party to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, economic, or religious group of people. The excuses, propaganda, and manipulation used to justify genocide are irrelevant.

The United Nations defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, economic, racial, or religious group, including one or more of the following:

 

1. Killing members of the targeted group.
2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the targeted group—including bombing, raping, torturing, using nefarious psychology, beating, humiliation and degradation.
3. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part—including the deliberate withholding or destruction of food, water, medical care, and/or shelter.
4. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group—such as forced sterilization, forced surgery, using chemicals to alter biology, castration, or beating pregnant women to cause miscarriages.
5. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group—as has been done with war orphans and child prisoners historically.

 

While the act of genocide includes mass killings, not all mass killings are genocides; genocide requires explicit intent coupled with actions focused on murdering and eradicating the targeted group of people. Genocides can span weeks, years, decades, or even centuries and are a Crime Against Humanity, the worst crime possible under International Law.

International Human Rights Day is December 10, 2023. National Human Rights Week in the United States is December 10-17, 2023.

NATIONAL DAYS, INDEPENDENCE DAYS & RELATED CELEBRATIONS

 

• Constitution Day; December 6, 1978—Spain
• Constitution Day; December 10, 1932—Thailand
• Constitution Day; December 25, 1946—Taiwan
• Constitution Day; December 8, 1991—Uzbekistan
• Curaçao Day; December 15, 1959—Curaçao
• Discovery Day; December 5, 1492—Haiti
• Independence Day; December 16, 1971—Bahrain
• Independence Day; December 6, 1917—Finland
• Independence Day; December 16, 1991—Kazakhstan
• Independence Day; December 24, 1951—Libya
• Independence Day; December 1, 1640—Portugal
• Independence Day; December 26, 1990—Slovenia
• Independence/Republic Day; December 9, 1961—Tanzania
• National Day; December 2, 1958—Central African Republic
• National Day; December 2, 1975—Laos
• National Day; December 1, 1918—Romania
• National Day; December 2, 1971—United Arab Emirates
• Republic Day; December 13, 1974—Malta
• Republic Day; December 18, 1958—Niger

 

DECEMBER MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS

 

• Army-Navy Football Game (American Football): December 9, 2023 — United States
• Cotton Bowl, Goodyear (American Football): December 29, 2023 — United States
• Fiesta Bowl (American Football): December 30, 2023 — United States
• FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup (Football): November 10 - December 2, 2023 — Indonesia
• Orange Bowl (American Football): December 30, 2023 — United States
• Pacific Games (Multi-sport): November 19 - December 1, 2023 — Solomon Islands
• Peach Bowl (American Football): December 29, 2023 — United States
• Women's World Championships: (Handball); November 30 - December 17, 2023 — Scandinavia

 

FEATURED EVENT

Kwanza is a celebration of African heredity and culture created in 1966—image Rodnae Productions.

KWANZAA

Date: December 26, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Location: Worldwide

Champion: African American Cultural Center

Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is a seven-day cultural festival to honor African heritage in African-American culture. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African-American holiday following the Watts riots in Los Angeles.

The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a non-tribal African language spoken in much of the African continent.

The holiday is a time for reflection upon African American culture, community, and values guided by the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles.

______________

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa Are:

 

1. Unity (Umoja)
2. Self-determination (Kujichagulia)
3. Collective work and responsibility (Ujima)
4. Cooperative economics (Ujamaa)
5. Purpose (Nia)
6. Creativity (Kuumba)
7. Faith (Imani)

 

_______________

Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle. Celebrants light a candle on the Kinara (candle holder), one for each day, and discuss the day's principle. The Kinara holds seven candles—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a black candle in the center.

Families gather during Kwanzaa to share feasts (Karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives, and African drums. Traditional foods include dishes originating in various parts of Africa and commonly include ingredients like sesame seeds, peanuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy sauces.

Gifts are exchanged primarily among children and are often educational or cultural items. The holiday culminates in a day of reflection where participants ask themselves and each other questions about their lives, their community, and their progression.

Over the years, Kwanzaa has spread in popularity in the United States and worldwide. The holiday fosters a sense of unity and pride among those of African descent. It is a secular holiday celebrated by people of any religious faith.

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That's a wrap with a bow on top. The next issue will be near December 15 and will cover the annual themes for 2024. Please help me get the word out about LEEP by sharing this, liking this newsletter, or subscribing. Don't forget our new WhatsApp Channel, which will provide a quick 1-2 minute read of each day's highlights. Subscriber here to LEEP's WhatsApp channel. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, a Festive Festivus and to all, a Happy New Year!

Last updated: Dec 1st 2023