National Immigration Agency Invited a Retried Diplomat to Share Interesting Foreign Customs

National Immigration Agency (Kaohsiung City First Service Center) currently organized “Domestic Education and Law Promotion course” and invited Chaung Heng-Sheng, the retired diplomat to share interesting foreign holidays and customs when he was appointed abroad to new immigrants.

During the session, Chaung Heng-Sheng mentioned fascinating European traditions. Examples include the Swedish tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve at 3 o'clock and the Danish tradition of smashing plates at friends' doors on New Year's Eve to express long lasting friendship.

While in Northern European countries like Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, Midsummer Day is a popular celebration for the arrival of summer. People will burn bonfires to ward evil spirits off and dance around the "Midsummer Pole" to celebrate. The fourth weekend of August each year, "Atter," the Belgian town, will organize a magnificent "Parade of Giants" traditional event, which is spectacular.

Language and culture, according to ambassador Chaung Heng-Sheng, are essential for assimilating into a foreign culture. Participating in rituals and activities of the local culture can help new immigrants fit in the local life. Additionally, new immigrants are encouraged to participate in seminars organized by civil society organizations or the government to learn about social welfare resources that not only speed up the resolution of the adaptation problem but also broaden horizons.