This lesson plan falls within World History (Modern), Geography and Sociology strands.

Understand the role festivals and holidays play in preserving traditions and cultural values; identify which aspects of the festivals are cultural universals and which are particular to one culture; describe ways that individuals participate in festivals.

Societies hold festivals and other communal celebrations to reinforce important values, to keep traditions and memories alive, or to honor the beliefs of their religion. Many are combinations of secular and sacred influences. Some governments encourage celebrations to foster patriotic traditions. Some have even limited the number of festivals to limit the power of the religious authority. Edward Stanton writes of Spanish fiestas, "The festive spirit creates a breakdown of everyday norms and inhibitions, a freeing of the body and senses, a renewed sense of fellowship and a closer identity to the community and its traditions. After a true fiesta, life is never the same."

2 class periods

• Student Activity Sheet
• Concept Map
• Multimedia Presentation Rubric

Students will have an opportunity to write an Analytical Essay (see Extension below).

What role do festivals play in building and preserving cultural traditions? Why are most European festivals connected to Christianity? What are other non-religious influences in festivals and holidays?

Present Information Students will create a brochure that highlights three European festivals and their cultural influences. Students will research the ways in which societies reinforce values, honor religious or patriotic beliefs, and preserve traditions.

Have students research these topics using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Cabezudo (fathead) "Vinegar-Face" and child, fiesta of San Fermín, Pamplona, July 1983. Photograph by Cristina García Rodero, Getty Research Institute, Research Library, 90.R.34

To start students thinking about the role festivals play in preserving cultural traditions, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What does the type of costume this person is wearing reveal about the nature of this festival?
• How might a person's behavior change when wearing a costume during a fiesta?
• Why is this child likely to remember this moment later in life?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students they will research the following themes about festivals:

• Reinforcing values
• Making new or preserving old traditions
• Honoring religious beliefs
• Honoring patriotic beliefs

Tell students that they will create a travel brochure explaining how these topics influence three festivals in Europe. Remind students that in addition to presenting written information, their brochures should include visual elements. Students will then present their brochures to the class.

Use the Multimedia Presentation Rubric to assess students' performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: What festival have they witnessed and what was its purpose?

Analytical Essay Have students use World Cultures Today to research and evaluate the significance religion plays in cultural festivals in a particular culture.