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Chef Max Huber, executive chef of a hotel, makes
a chocolate Christmas tree at a hotel in Bangkok. |
Few Asians are Christian but people across the
vast continent are embracing the holiday as a great excuse for shopping,
partying and even romance.
Come December, Christmas lights brighten shopping streets in cities
from Beijing to Colombo, while images of Santa Claus and Rudolph adorn
office buildings, shops and restaurants.
Shopping malls in Indonesia, the country with the largest number of
Muslims, play carols like "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" through
speakers during the year-end holiday season.
"Most workers here are Muslim but we also celebrate Christmas just like
we celebrate Eid al-Fitr. We
are complementing each other with these costumes and ornaments," said
Jakarta restaurant receptionist Lina Novianti, wearing a red Santa Claus
hat. The Moslem celebration Eid al-Fitr marks the end of fasting during Ramadan.
Every year the Indonesian president and top officials attend national
Christmas celebrations with church groups.
In China, Christmas Eve has become one of the biggest party nights of
the year for young professionals.
"Bars, karaoke halls, restaurants, they all get completely packed on
Christmas Eve," said Zu Min, who sells Christmas trees and wreaths, "More
and more Chinese people are buying Christmas trees now."
Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka, which already enjoys at least one public
holiday each month to celebrate the Buddha's teachings, has also adopted
Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and the Hindu festival of lights Deepvali, making it a world leader in days
off.
Tinsel has even been put up inside commercial aircraft that fly from
mainly Buddhist Colombo to predominantly Hindu Jaffna.
"I'm a Buddhist, but we celebrate Christmas because my kids insist on
it. We decorate the house and have a Christmas tree so my kids will be
happy," said a mother-of-two, laden with gifts.
In Japan, Christmas Eve has taken on a meaning similar to Valentine's
Day, being the time for romance among young couples.
(Agencies) |
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