A Chinese and Korean Christmas Ceilidh
Three different cultures combined for Christmas variation of Cape Breton ceilidh
When you host a “Chinese & Korean Christmas Ceilidh” in Cape Breton, you can expect a followup question or two.
Just the name alone sparks the imagination, especially for those familiar with the notion of a ceilidh, pr at least a traditional Cape Breton one.
“In Korea and China they don’t really have a ceilidh per se, so what we have done is add their traditional music and dance to our ceilidh,” said Jennifer Currie, instructor for the bachelor of hospitality and tourism management class that’s hosting Thursday’s unique ceilidh.
“It’s kind of like a fusion, if you will.”
In Cape Breton, you don’t really need a reason to host a ceilidh, but Thursday’s variation of the classic kitchen party is actually a multifaceted learning experience for the students hosting it.
“The students looked at what cultures were represented in the class and we are representing Chinese, Korean and Cape Breton,” she said.
“There are many cultures in the university, but those are the three in the class, so that’s how we came up with the Chinese Korean Christmas Ceilidh.”
As a result, Thursday’s ceilidh will blend all three of those cultures to the tune of Cape Breton musicians Margie and Dawn Beaton, a Chinese folk singer, a Korean opera performer and a traditional Chinese folk dancer.
Students will wear traditional costumes, and a Christmas tree will feature Korean and Chinese decorations, among other things.
A special alcohol list, a Chinese tea, and a variety of culturally significant food items are also part of the evening.
“For the ceilidh, we’ve learned a lot about different cultures and, based on different cultures, we designed the menu,” said Liu Cui, a student from China.
Among the offerings on a very specific drink menu the students designed will be a Korean specialty that may be served for the first time in Sydney on Thursday.
“For me I don’t have any experience for preparing for a ceilidh, but for the courses we learned a lot,” said Yutong Xiao, a student from China.
Planning for the evening has also given students and staff a chance to learn about how holidays are celebrated around the world.
“They do some decorations for Christmas and they do get together,” Currie said of the Chinese and Korean students.
“It obviously has different significances but many of the students in the class celebrate Christmas in China and Korea.”
Though much has been learned about different cultures, the event is really a teaching opportunity on the many aspects of hospitality and tourism management.
Guided by Currie, the
“In Korea and China they don’t really have a ceilidh per se, so what we have done is add their traditional music and dance to our ceilidh.” Jennifer Currie, instructor for the bachelor of hospitality and tourism management class
students are divided into committees to study the marketing, logistics, event administration, food, beverage and entertainment portions of the ceilidh.
“They are even cooking the food,” Currie said.
“They’ve ordered a special liquor licence, they will serve the liquor, and they’ve booked the entertainment, so they have done a lot of this on their own.”
Students host a similar event each March, but, because program numbers are currently so high, an extra section was added in September and the Christmas ceilidh gives those new students a major event to plan.
“The course itself has certainly opened their horizons on what they can do,” said Currie. “There are roles within the industry that relate exactly to this course.”
Tickets for the ceilidh went on sale only a few weeks ago and have already sold out.