Lighting up Christmas with Love and Warmth: Christmas Fair at FJCU College of Foreign
Languages and Literature
By Christy Chang
FJCU CFLL Christmas fair was held on November 30, exotic cuisines and desserts from all over the world were served to celebrate Christmas with the theme “Light up Love.” The Christmas fair at CFLL this year also introduces “Christnukkah,” which is a cultural integration that celebrates “Christian Christmas” and “Jewish Hanukkah” together. Traditional Israelite food Sufganiyot and Latkes are served at the fair, giving students a whole new experience of Christmas.
The six departments of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures sold featured delicacies from different countries. For example, the English department sold American chocolate fudge cookies and British fresh milk tea, representing the afternoon tea culture in England. Kiki Huang is the coordinator of the Christmas fair from the English Department. We had an interview with her and she shared her idea on organizing the event. When being asked about the inspiration for the food choices to represent the English Department, she said “the idea of selling cookies and milk tea emerged from the British afternoon tea. We decide to make it a set, as the English department represents both American and British cultures. Moreover, she thinks it a good chance for English majors to showcase their talents. As the vendors at the Christmas fair are quite competitive, members of the student association tried hard to come up with a good way to promote the products.
The six departments of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures sold featured delicacies from different countries. For example, the English department sold American chocolate fudge cookies and British fresh milk tea, representing the afternoon tea culture in England. Kiki Huang is the coordinator of the Christmas fair from the English Department. We had an interview with her and she shared her idea on organizing the event. When being asked about the inspiration for the food choices to represent the English Department, she said “the idea of selling cookies and milk tea emerged from the British afternoon tea. We decide to make it a set, as the English department represents both American and British cultures. Moreover, she thinks it a good chance for English majors to showcase their talents. As the vendors at the Christmas fair are quite competitive, members of the student association tried hard to come up with a good way to promote the products.
The decorations of Fr. Franz Giet Building at FJCU CFL during Christmas, photograph by Alyson Wang
Kiki also invited students from other colleges to join the fair, to be surrounded by the lively atmosphere of Christmas, and to try featured foods from various cultures. As for the German department, they are selling gingerbread and “Stollen,” which is a kind of bread that originated from Dresden in the 14th century. It was first made by German bakers to contribute to the church, but now it became a popular Christmas pastry for the Germans. The materials of “Stollen” are yeast, water, and flour. Normally, bakers put candied orange peel, raisins, almonds, apricots, and spices such as cardamom and cinnamon in the dough, making the bread flavorful. For beverages, mulled wine catches people’s attention on chilly winter days. It contains spices and fruits like orange, lemon, nutmeg, fennel seed, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. The spices are combined and boiled with sugar syrup before red wine is added and heated, giving it a sweet and wonderful taste.
Speaking of wine, the Spanish department also sells sugar-free champagne and sparkling apple juice imported from Spain. With 99.15% natural fruit juice and no sweetening agent added, it gives the drink a natural taste of fresh fruit with fine bubbles. Most important of all, it’s alcohol-free, so students don’t have to worry about getting drunk before class. On the other hand, the Italian department prepared the national Christmas desserts “Panettone” and “Pandoro” for those who crave for sweets. Panettone is a large bread enriched with dried/candied fruits served typically during Christmas holidays in Italian communities around the world. It originated from Milan, where the word “pan del ton” means “cake of luxury.” With a large, dome-shaped cake leavened with yeast, it comes with an airy texture (between a cake and a bread) but a rich and buttery taste. As for “Pandoro,” also a kind of Italian Christmas dessert, it appears like a small Christmas tree. Pandoro is a star-shaped cake with powdered sugar toppings that was originally made in the city of Verona. During Christmas, people prepare different kinds of foods to celebrate the holiday. This is a chance for students and teachers to engage in Christmas-related activities and enjoy an exotic Christmas.
Speaking of wine, the Spanish department also sells sugar-free champagne and sparkling apple juice imported from Spain. With 99.15% natural fruit juice and no sweetening agent added, it gives the drink a natural taste of fresh fruit with fine bubbles. Most important of all, it’s alcohol-free, so students don’t have to worry about getting drunk before class. On the other hand, the Italian department prepared the national Christmas desserts “Panettone” and “Pandoro” for those who crave for sweets. Panettone is a large bread enriched with dried/candied fruits served typically during Christmas holidays in Italian communities around the world. It originated from Milan, where the word “pan del ton” means “cake of luxury.” With a large, dome-shaped cake leavened with yeast, it comes with an airy texture (between a cake and a bread) but a rich and buttery taste. As for “Pandoro,” also a kind of Italian Christmas dessert, it appears like a small Christmas tree. Pandoro is a star-shaped cake with powdered sugar toppings that was originally made in the city of Verona. During Christmas, people prepare different kinds of foods to celebrate the holiday. This is a chance for students and teachers to engage in Christmas-related activities and enjoy an exotic Christmas.
Mulled wine, photograph by Christy Chang
On the other hand, there are vendors selling food from outside the school, making the Christmas fair look like a small night market. As usual, the Italian gelato is still popular with its flavorful taste and dense texture. Also, there are roast duck burritos, burgers, and the Indian roti. Dishes from all over the world can be enjoyed at the Christmas Fair.
The Christmas fair is one of the traditions in CFLL. One of the features that make it different from the previous year is blending in the element of Jewish “Hanukkah,” also known as the festival of lights. There are shiny light decorations outside Fr. Franz Giet Building. Besides, starting from November 16th to January 15th, paintings about “Christnukkah” are exhibited in the Global Lounge. CFLL held an activity by showing the British Israeli artist Leon and his creative artworks. Through the one-week event held in front of the Fr. Franz Giet Building and relevant activities at Global Lounge, students in FuJen are welcomed to recognize the foreign culture and be immersed in the joyous atmosphere of Christmas.
The Christmas fair is one of the traditions in CFLL. One of the features that make it different from the previous year is blending in the element of Jewish “Hanukkah,” also known as the festival of lights. There are shiny light decorations outside Fr. Franz Giet Building. Besides, starting from November 16th to January 15th, paintings about “Christnukkah” are exhibited in the Global Lounge. CFLL held an activity by showing the British Israeli artist Leon and his creative artworks. Through the one-week event held in front of the Fr. Franz Giet Building and relevant activities at Global Lounge, students in FuJen are welcomed to recognize the foreign culture and be immersed in the joyous atmosphere of Christmas.