Festivals in Waldorf Education
Festivals are a vital part of Waldorf Education. They provide nourishment to the individual and bring the community together in meaningful ways. The festival is an anniversary that brings to a community the richness of story and song, light and food and celebrates our shared humanity. A festival is a joyous celebration of life and magic of the rhythm of the seasons. Each festival is a mood, an attitude, an experience. Celebrations are interwoven with the life of the earth and the cycles of nature.
Festivals has deepen our connection to the rhythms of the year, in particular the four seasons. As a way to celebrate seasonal changes.
Festival celebrations also strengthen bonds among people. They bring us closer together.
For the younger child, time is still passing slowly. Festivals help to subdivide time into different qualities and provide a sustainable experience of being ‘at home in time’.
For older students, the experience of being able to present to the rest of the community at school festivals is significant. Presentations on stage within the protection of the class community, strengthen the child´s psychological development through the growth of self-confidence.
At Sriratthaya, we also value the important of festivals.
Every December, we have the Christmas and New year celebration by classroom declaration, story telling about Christmas, making New Year gift by handmade and the performance by students and parents.