As the weather heats up, summer is drawing closer! This week, we will take a look at some summer suggestions and traditions from around the world, introduced by our team members!
First is Gemma, our British member of the team. The most well known celebration of Summer Solstice in the UK takes place at the iconic Stonehenge. From the evening of the 20th to the morning of the 21st June, around 10,000 people gather to watch the midsummer sunrise.
Thought to originate from 2500 BC, Stonehenge was carefully designed to align with the movements of the sun, specifically the sunrise at summer solstice, and the sunset at winter solstice. These are the extreme limits of the sun’s movement, and the word solstice is derived from the Latin sol (“sun”) and sistere (“to stand still”).
Since 1999, English Heritage have allowed access to the site on the summer and winter solstices, as well as the spring and autumn equinoxes. Many people who have spiritual or religious beliefs relating to the monument visit in celebration. It is also now live-streamed, meaning you can enjoy this spectacular opportunity to reconnect with the natural world, wherever you are!
Next is Catherine, from New Zealand.
As you may know, New Zealand summer is the opposite to Japan- it’s in December! So this means that New Zealanders celebrate both Christmas and New Years in the summertime.
Whilst santa does not come to our houses surfing, we do spend a lot of time at the beach during summer.
Some people camp, rent small cabins or stay in beach houses (which we call baches!), and end up spending almost all day on the sand or in the sea.
If you get a chance to visit New Zealand in summer (Don’t forget- it’s from December to February!), I reccomend visiting a beach like the hot water beach in the Coromandel! Even if the ocean is cold, you can heat up by making your own personal hot pool with hot water coming from underneath the sand!
And if you visit New Zealand during Japan’s summer (July-Sep), it’s the perfect time for skiing! There’s something to do 365 days a year.
Next is a new tradition we have been trying to start in Japan, introduced by Erina!
The ‘Tanabata with Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne!’ event will be held in the Marunouchi Buildiung on the 1st and 2nd July 🎋
Nicolas Feuillatte, the No.1 champagne enjoyed in France, is creating a new culture of enjoying champagne to celebrate Tanabata.
In France, drinking champagne is described as ‘drinking the stars’, due to champagne’s countless, sparkling bubbles ✨
At the Tanabata event visitors will be able to enjoy a glass of champagne paired with sumptuous macarons from La Maison du Chocolat and cooling fresh spring rolls.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a decorative bamboo corner, where they can write their wishes on a specially designed Nicolas Feuillatte wishing strip, enter a giveaway to win a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, and take a photo at the specially designed photo corner!
Won’t you wish upon a star and enjoy champagne with your loved ones this Tanabata?
