Welcome summer, and happy annual vacation season to everyone! If I learned anything growing up in the province of Québec, it’s that summer goes by in the blink of an eye. To make the most of this wonderful season, we tend to celebrate intensely over these few short months. In addition to holidays like St-Jean Baptiste and Canada Day, we try to make the most of summer birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and so forth. Being a summer baby myself, I can understand why every occasion is an excuse for a celebration.
Everyone loves summer
The penchant for marking this time of year is not unique to North America. A little research led me to discover some very interesting summer traditions around the world, with the Midsummer celebrations in Scandinavian countries being perhaps the most popular. Maypoles, wreaths and bonfires are just some of the emblematic elements put in place to celebrate the summer solstice, as well as the return to light after several months of constant darkness. Many family members also travel to the countryside for the occasion, providing yet another reason to celebrate.
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festival is held in Japan at the beginning of August. Despite its vague origins, this festival attracts three million visitors every summer, who witness a grandiose spectacle of vibrant lanterns, traditional costumes, and colorful fireworks. Then on to China, where summer is a time to celebrate the dead. The Ghost Festival takes place in the seventh month of the lunar calendar and is considered a time when the dead visit the living. To keep the deceased happy and avoid their wrath, people treat them as if they were still alive. For example, they usually reserve a chair and set a place for them at the dinner table.
Make the most of summer, and stay safe
Although everyone celebrates the warmer months differently, the rules for enjoying the heat are universal. Here are a few precautions you can take during a heat wave, especially for the most vulnerable:
- Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Cool off often: if you don’t have access to an air-conditioned space, use a cool wet towel on your face, arm and neck, or seek an air-conditioned public place like the mall.
- Minimize your use of heat-producing appliances.
- Most of all, stay in touch with your loved ones and do not hesitate to ask family and friends for help.
In addition, forest fires have been burning dangerously across Canada over the past two weeks. Even if you don’t live near an active fire, it’s likely that you’re experiencing a drop in air quality in your area due to smoke. If this is the case, here are a few tips to stay healthy:
- Avoid outdoor activities.
- Close your windows and doors, and shut off air exchange systems.
- Keep an eye on the most vulnerable among us: young children, seniors and people with serious health issues.
- Keep track of the weather alerts around you.
Wishing you a safe and happy summer,
Anaïs
