Costumes...

Beside the Austrian “Carneval” (is known as fifth season in the year, were we always get masked) we often masked us for events and parties. I think it is very popular now. Halloween is normally not part of our culture, but in the last years it also became more and more common. We have also costume- or theme-parties during the year, without a specific meaning or background. That can be: birthday parties, season parties, arpartment parties or something like that. Also some bars and clubs offer theme parties like pajama party, 70ties and 80ties party or other decade parties, also very en vogue are Chrsitmas parties.

"Austrian-Careval" (Fasching)
Indian - party

Christmas -party

...my sister as "Silvester" by our "looney tunes" - Winter party,...

What have you observed about our Easter Holiday? What have you learned through conversations/experience about Easter? What have you observed about its themes? What significance does Easter have for most Americans? Why do you think this?

Last weekend, I was in Washington D.C. and I had observed that Easter is not really a big deal here in America when I compare it to Europe. In Europe is Easter one of the biggest events during a year. Students have usually their spring break over Easter and normally at least ten days off. In America I not really noticed some special celebrations. The only thing what it reminds me, that it was Easter-Sunday, was a man in a bunny costume who gave everyone plastic eggs with a small plastic soldier in it, but is was more a kind of protest against the Afghanistan conflict as something else. Perhaps it is more special for families with children. On Easter Sunday they get their Easter basket and that’s it in most of the cases. I also couldn't see any special celebrations. The only things that I saw were some decorated cakes with some Easter motives and some Easter articles in the stores but that’s all. I was a bit disappointed because I really like Eastern but here was nothing special, no special food or traditions not rally any decoration or ceremonies. Maybe it is different when you have a family here and spend the weekend together. I definitely prefer Easter in the way how we celebrate it but I think it depends on the cultural background.

...on the backside of the Wihte House

Americans are religious?

They are religious more than 75 % would agree with this statement. I think nearly every American beliefs on something, it doesn’t matter which religion they have chosen. I also belief that trust in a religion is not going every Sunday on e place (synagogue, church,…) praying it’s more gestures who transfers that. It reflected in holidays and traditions. The majority is Christian but America has no official “state religion” it was one of the basics in the federal law that everyone have the freedom to believe in whatever you want.