"What does tradition mean? I would think: to approach the tasks of one's age as courageously as one's ancestors did." ("I'm Not Stiller", Max Frisch)

Does national tradition in our present-day world seem to be an enrichment or rather a constraint?

Maria Fellner - 03.01.2020 @ 20:47

National traditions - Enrichment or restriction?

by Lilly Paulmann, Zoë Groening, Chiara Bergsiek, HPS Buxtehude/Germany

Traditions can be of high importance for society. Carried on over generations they strengthen the sense of community and play a huge part in the identity of a country. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving we have to ask ourselves whether old traditions are still advantages or keep us from new perspectives and therefore from progressing as a culture.

The nobel prize winner George Bernard Shaw once said “Tradition ist eine Laterne, der Dumme hält sich an ihr fest, dem Klugen leuchtet sie den Weg” meaning that ignorant people will only hold on to tradition as a latern, while innovative and smart people will use its light to find their way and we certaintly agree with him. Nowadays we do not have to ask ourselves whether something is entirely good or bad, as it is more important how to deal with the difficult situations we face. Therefore, what really matters is how we deal with traditions in our life.

When looking at advancing globalization and how the countries attempt to form strong bonds to help and support each other, it becomes obvious how much the different nations influence one another. However, the goal of globalization should not be for countries and cultures to resemble each other more and more to a point where it is impossible to tell them apart, as some cultures would be supplanted or wiped out within the process. Indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest, for example, are often expected to adapt to modern society especially because their living space contains valuable resources. That is not what globalization should be like, though. Globalization should encourage different countries to inspire one another, see difficulties from varying perspectives, find more innovative solutions and therefore develop an even higher respect for each other and most notably to evolve without losing one’s own identity.

In Buxtehude we obviously celebrate many original German traditions, but also traditions from other countries that are firmly integrated into our culture. A typical German tradition would be that children receive a school cone filled with candy and other little presents on their first day of school. They are supposed to prevent the children from feeling anxious and instead make them excited for their school enrolment. In addition to that, we also celebrate Halloween in Germany, a tradition that originated in Wales where children go from house to house asking for sweets and candy.

Ultimately, it is our responsibility to combine traditions and globalization. Insisting too much on traditions could keep the country from developing and solving problems, as new impulses and a change of perspective are required for that. Nevertheless, traditions should be protected as they are important cultural property and influence our identity. Moreover, traditions contribute to keeping our world diverse.

Taking everything into account, traditions are essential for the development and enrichment of our own society. Still though, insisting on them is often not beneficial, particularly if you want to improve and campaign for a respectful and open-minded world. Dealing with traditions correctly means to combine your own traditions connecting you to your home, your family or your country with curiosity for other traditions, cultures and morals. A healthy balance between something tried and trusted and something exciting and new.

Lilly Paulmann - 10.07.2020 @ 22:39