City Of Boston: Deep Roots: Celebrating Cultural Traditions In Boston

Press release from the City of Boston:

August 24, 2021

Culture is woven throughout the fabric of Boston’s diverse neighborhoods. Across the city, family and friends gather to mark holiday, familial, and religious occasions. For residents, creating a space in which these traditions take center stage, recognizes their past, present, and future. In this first of a two part series, we look at festive celebrations and the ways in which Bostonians honor their rich cultural traditions. Culture is woven throughout the fabric of Boston’s diverse neighborhoods. Across the city, family and friends gather to mark holiday, familial, and religious occasions. For residents, creating a space in which these traditions take center stage, recognizes their past, present, and future. In this first of a two part series, we look at festive celebrations and the ways in which Bostonians honor their rich cultural traditions.

Throughout Boston, many families and communities celebrate similar cultural holidays. While these celebrations may take place at the same time, each family marks the event in their own unique way. Fenway resident

Preparation for a holiday event is often as much of a tradition as the event itself. Eva Begelman, an East Boston resident, describes how her mother would begin preparing for the Rosh Hashanah holiday weeks in advance. Eva discusses the creative ways her mother kept food fresh and how she managed the realistic worries that come along with preparing for big events!

Preparation for a holiday event is often as much of a tradition as the event itself. Check out this

Temple Kehillath Israel, Brookline, circa 1965, Public Library of Brookline Many families celebrate specific milestones in life such as birthdays or graduations.

Irene also remembers her younger sister’s debutante party which took place inside her family’s Roxbury home and was much more formal than her own. Irene discusses her sister’s ushers and how they would go on to become notable members of the Black community in the United States. 

Taking part in celebrations of one’s heritage brings communities together in specific ways. South End resident Harry Dow discusses the significance and festivities surrounding Chinatown’s Moon Festival. Today, crowds still gather in Chinatown to celebrate this historic festival while a similar celebration takes place just south of the city in Quincy!

Taking part in celebrations of one’s heritage brings communities together in specific ways. South End resident Chinese New Year celebration, Chinatown, Boston, MA., circa 1968-1970, Boston City Archives Neighborhood celebrations create a space for residents to take part in cultural traditions together.

The Lucianis also describe the sleeper hit of any Feast - the food! They fondly remember the variety of food the Fisherman’s Feast offered and the excitement for a specific type of pizza!

Today the Fisherman’s Feast is Boston’s From family gatherings inside homes to festivals which spill into the streets, Boston’s neighborhoods are a place where family and friends can gather to celebrate their unique culture. Big or small, these traditional events create a space rich with history in which Bostonians embrace their individual heritages and celebrate their past, present, and future. Commencement Day, circa 1885-1930, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

This press release was produced by the City of Boston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.