Spring Festival : Virtual

Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei (Cambodian New Year Festival)

Khmer New Year, Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei, is a three-day celebration that traditionally marks the end of harvest season which falls in mid-April. This is one of Cambodia’s most important holidays and coincides with the solar new year.
Khemarak Samaki Classical Group, which translates to Cambodia in Unity, is a Cambodian performing arts group based in Tacoma, WA formed in 2010 by Mrs. Khim Hong Chue. The group’s mission is to embrace and preserve Cambodian cultural arts through classical and folk dance demonstrations, comedies, and short plays. The group’s dance instructor is Sothavy Khut. KSCG will perform a prayer dance and Thivet dance to celebrate Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei.

Vishu

Vishu is a new year celebration observed in mid-April in Kerala, India by the Malayali people. Customs include the preparation of a display called ‘vishukkani’ with fruits, vegetables, flowers, gold and silver coins, and a traditional lamp in front of a mirror. Vishukkani translates to “that which is seen first on Vishu” and the Malayalis believe that good fortune for the year is dependent on viewing the auspicious vishukkani first thing on Vishu morning. The reflection is multiplied and spells out the abundance both spiritually and materially. Coins are given as “Vishu Kaineettam” by the head of the family. “Vishu Sadhya” is an elaborate feast prepared and served on a plantain leaf.

Deepthi Sunder Rajan was born in Wayanad, Kerala, India and lives in the Seattle area. She will explain the celebration of Vishu. Follow Deepti on Social media – @new_age_amma

talks about the wildlife

In this family friendly program, Washington State Parks Interpretive Specialist, Joy Kacoroski talks about the wildlife in urban and suburban parks in the Seattle area, the habitats they need to thrive, and she leads a ‘habitat crown’ craft. Collect paper, a tape or stapler, and some colorful pens or markers if you’d like to craft along with her!

Spring in Senegal

The spring season is special in Senegal, West Africa with many celebrations. Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4th. There is also a colorful Dakar festival in Spring. This attracts artists from throughout Africa who display their paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces across Senegal in galleries and venues.
Thione Diop a percussionist from Senegal, West Africa. He is a descendant from an ancestral line of Griot drummers in Senegal and is a master of the dikembe, sabar , tama & djun djun. Thione Diop and friends from Senegal will present a musical performance celebrating spring. More information about Thione Diop.

Camas Harvest

In this video collaboration with Washington State Parks, Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Cultural Resources staff demonstrate a traditional harvest and preparation of camas, a key first food for many tribes in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the plateau region. Camas is a lily-like plant with an edible bulb that thrives in prairie ecosystems and is harvested in late spring. When roasted in an earth oven, camas bulbs develop a mildly sweet flavor and are rich in carbohydrates and protein. The video includes Lower Cowlitz Salish language subtitles for key words and phrases.

Flower mandala : 

Nowruz (Iranian New Year Festival)

Spring equinox coincides with the first day of spring which in Iranian culture represents the Persian New Year, Nowruz. Nowruz (Persian: ‘New day’) is celebrated during a thirteen-day period that begins with Charshanbe Suri, the evening preceding Nowruz, and ends with Sizdah Bedar, a day when families spend time in nature. In the Seattle area, many Persian families celebrate Sizdah Bedar at Lake Sammamish State Park. Families gather and celebrate Nowruz together with a grand feast. They decorate an altar known as the Haft-sin which includes seven items that begin with the letter ‘S’. There will be fire festivities and dances.

The Iranian American Community Alliance (IACA) presents the celebration of Nowruz. iaca-seattle.org, Instagram : @iaca-seattle. Facebook : IACA Seattle

Spring has sprung at Washington State Parks Produced by Interpretive Rangers Alysa Adams and Leah Garner.

Park visitor, Leah, explores the signs of spring at Seaquest State Park. Along the way she gets surprise visits from the local park ranger, Alysa. Interpretive Ranger Alysa shares educational information about plants, wildlife, and tips for exploring the outdoors with all of the senses.

Holi Puppet Show

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival celebrated widely in India, Nepal, and around the world where Indian people have migrated. A joyful and vibrant spring festival, Holi celebrates the blossoming of life, love, and forgiveness. It is one of the few times of the year when people of many religions, genders, ages, ethnicities, and castes unite in play.
Holi occurs in mid to late March and is well-known for the throwing of colorful paint powders and dye-infused water but religious and secular traditions vary throughout India and beyond. The evening before Holi begins with a bonfire, the symbolic burning of Holika’s pyre—the triumph of good over evil. Holi festivities include folk music and dance, holiday foods and drinks, and visiting friends and family.
The Dancing Peacock Puppet Company will present a puppet show about Holi. The Dancing Peacock Puppet Company, a part of the Love to Share Foundation of America, uses traditional, string puppetry to narrate stories from East Indian timeless classics. During this 30-minute show, wooden string puppets dressed in bright colors perform amidst wonderful props and backgrounds, accentuated by traditional music in between scenes.