Activity 1: Describe holidays in your country.

HOLIDAYS IN GUATEMALA.

1. Historical Holiday.

On this date, Revolution Day is celebrated, which remembers the uprising of 1944, a
historical event in which Guatemala had a political turn in the public administration.
The history of the revolution dates back to the government of Jorge Ubico, who was
in power between 1931 and 1944.

Political and democratic participation in the country was null during that government,
as was university autonomy. One of Ubico's most famous laws was the Law against
Vagrancy, which establishes 30 days in prison for attending billiards, bars and
brothels between 8 in the morning and 6 in the afternoon.

2. Seasonal holiday.

In January, like the rest of the world, Guatemalans celebrate the New Year. For the
inhabitants of this country this date is a reason for family celebration. The most
curious thing about the New Year in Guatemala is the burning of dolls, a way to
eliminate all the evil of the year that is ending. The dolls symbolize everything that
you want to leave behind to enter the new year on the right foot. Of course there are
also fireworks and celebrations with music and dancing throughout the country.

Starting a year has a very special meaning for the different cultures of the world
because they carry national and family traditions and interpretations of their history;
It is the right time to be grateful for everything you have done and start the year with
an attitude to grow and improve as a person to achieve the personal ambitions that
allow you to achieve the proposed goals.

3. Religious holiday.
Holy Week in Guatemala is one of the most notable events in the country, with
processions, vigils, funeral marches, seasonal cuisine and the creation of flower
tapestries and altars. For this occasion, the facades of houses and buildings are also
decorated, which contributes to the festive atmosphere. Holy Week is a religious and
cultural celebration that commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of
Christ. It encompasses a series of activities and common elements that vary from
one region to another. The practices and traditions associated with Holy Week have
been passed down to younger generations for centuries, through active participation
in the event and preparations, as well as through the media. Parishioners,
neighbors, tourists, artisans, musicians and authorities participate in the
preparations and celebrations, which gives the event its universal and cohesive
character. The event promotes tolerance and inclusion thanks to the participation of
people from different social groups and encourages mutual respect and appreciation
between the people and institutions involved. Representation of the country's cultural
diversity, for centuries it has meant identification with the pain and cult of death that
the original inhabitants of Guatemala knew, a characteristic that remains to this day
and that, despite an apparent contradiction, symbolizes the hope and union.

Activity 2: Describe wedding traditions in Guatemala.

Write about some wedding traditions in Guatemala.

1. Traditions before the wedding.

Proposal: Before the wedding, it is traditional for the groom and his family to visit the
bride's family to formalize the proposal. On this occasion, important details such as
the date and other arrangements are discussed.

Dowries: In some Guatemalan communities, the groom's family may provide a dowry
to the bride's family as part of tradition. This dowry may consist of money, livestock
or other gifts.

Preparation of the bride: Before the wedding, the bride prepares along with her
bridesmaids. This includes dressing in the traditional costume, which is often a white
dress, and doing their hair and makeup.
2. Traditions at the wedding ceremony and
Religious ceremony: Most Guatemalan weddings are Catholic religious
ceremonies. During the mass, the bride and groom exchange vows and rings.
The religious figure plays an important role in the union of the couple.

Bow and veil: In some Catholic weddings, a bow or cord is used to symbolize the
union of the bride and groom. A veil is also placed over the bride's shoulders,
representing the protection of the Virgin Mary.

Exchange of earnest money: The couple can exchange earnest money, which
are coins or medals, as a symbol of prosperity and shared commitment to
mutually support the family.

3. Traditions after the wedding.

In Guatemala, post-wedding traditions are an important part of the culture and

celebration of marriage. Some of the common post-wedding traditions and
customs in Guatemala include:

The delivery of the bride: After the ceremony, it is traditional for the groom to
escort the bride to her parents' house. This symbolizes respect and gratitude
towards the bride's family and marks the beginning of their new life together.

The honeymoon: After the wedding, the couple goes on their honeymoon to
spend time together as husband and wife. This is an important part of the
tradition and is considered a period of relaxation and celebration after the
wedding.