Today’s session of the Gabfest Club in Window on America Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine) was dedicated to the introduction of important dates: Mother’s Day (May, 10) and the International Day of Families (15 May). The session was visited by our friend - the Fulbright exchange lecturer Brian Chung (Dnipropetrovsk Mining University).
At the beginning of the session the group was offered a video about the history of the holiday in the USA. The club members discussed the controversy of this holiday for its founder A. Jarvis. The American song about mother’s love was also offered for auditing. The group defined mother’s qualities those are valued in the USA.
The presence of the American guest allowed the moderator to offer a challenging activity to the group - they had to introduce the iconic Ukrainian songs about mother’s love. The task was difficult. Besides the song’s plot the group had to explain the symbolism of objects mentioned in the song.
Certain family traditions in USA and in Ukraine were compared to observe the Day of Families.
At the end of the session the newcomers had a chance to introduce themselves and to ask questions to the American guest.
Number of participants – 19 persons.
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Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) was dedicated to the joint observance of the important May dates: Mother’s Day (May, 11) and the International Day of Families (15 May). We have explored the UN's International Day of Families web pages.. The theme for 2014 is "Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals". We decided to focus on the role of families in development and touched upon the following issue in our discussion:
- benefits of Marriage;
- promoting a Marriage-Friendly Culture.
The club members exchanged their views on “pro”s and “contra”s of marriage in the modern Ukrainian society.
Mother's Day in the United States is annually held on the second Sunday of May. It celebrates motherhood and appreciation of mothers and mother figures. Watching a beautiful slide show with verses about mothers created the relevant atmosphere. Our foreign club member Prince told us about the tradition in his country, the Ukrainian club members explained the situation in Ukraine.
To practice interpreting skills the club members illustrated the cult of Mother in Ukrainian culture with You Tube videos of popular songs about mother. The biggest challenge (as always in the cross-cultural communication) was to explain the symbolism used in the songs’ lyrics.
The session was quiet but quite educational.
Number of participants – 12 persons.
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club (Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk,Ukraine) was dedicated to the introduction of important dates: Mother’s Day (9 May) and the International Day of Families (15 May).
Mother's Day in the United States is annually held on the second Sunday of May. It celebrates motherhood and appreciation of mothers and mother figures. Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their mother and mother figures, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers.
We have watched several videos about the US mothers raising Olympians. The story of gymnast Debby Douglas impressed the club members most of all. We have listened to the songs about mothers in English.
The video about American Ukrainian singer Kvitka Cysik opened to the club members a new page in the American-Ukrainian relations. The Ukrainian song “My Mother” performed by Casey Cysik was very touching. All the mothers present enjoyed the songs and beautiful slides with poems about mothers.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 15 May of every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families. The day reflects the importance that the international community attaches to families as basic units of society as well as its concern regarding their situation around the world.
We have explored the UN's International Day of Families web pages. This year’s theme of the day is “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity”. We have clarified the meaning of the term “intergenerational solidarity” and told private stories of the generation ties in Ukrainian families. The club members explained to our foreign club member Toby why we do not know much about our family trees.
The session was quiet but very educational.
Have a look at more pictures, please
