ERIC Number: EJ1032545
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1467-5986
EISSN: N/A
Discussing School Celebrations from an Intercultural Perspective--A Study in the Finnish Context
Niemi, Pia-Maria; Kuusisto, Arniika; Kallioniemi, Arto
Intercultural Education, v25 n4 p255-268 2014
The increased diversity in pupils' cultural and ethnic backgrounds in schools creates urgent demands for the organization of school celebrations in many countries. Celebrations represent the cultural values of the society and it is important to find out how various traditions are expressed in them. This study examines teachers' and other educational staff members' perceptions of Finnish culture, Lutheran religiosity, and intercultural education relating to Christmas, Independence Day, and end-of-term celebrations in Finnish schools. The data of this paper consists of 12 thematic interviews, and participation in two school festivals. The interview data were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis. The analysis of this study shows that festivals are perceived as important parts of education and they can help to create a sense of national or cultural community. However, the intercultural potential of school celebrations is often not put to its full use. There exists an urgent need to create new ways of carrying out celebrations in multicultural school communities so that they would be meaningful for all students.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Teacher Attitudes, Cultural Activities, School Activities, Holidays, Multicultural Education, Cultural Awareness, Religious Factors, Interviews, Qualitative Research, Secondary School Teachers, Ethnic Diversity
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A