Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada, traditionally seen as a time to gather with loved ones and express gratitude for blessings and abundance. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Thanksgiving has pagan roots and connections. The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to ancient harvest festivals celebrated by pagan societies. These festivals were held to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest and to ensure future prosperity. The pagan belief was that by expressing gratitude and offering sacrifices, they could appease the gods and continue to receive their favor. One of the earliest recorded instances of such a harvest festival is the ancient Roman festival of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.
Phuket Opens the World’s First Thai Carnival Theme Park
Last September, "Carnival Magic" opened to the world. The 6.6-billion-baht park will increase Phuket's tourism offering as well as its appeal as a destination for families.
Author: Hannah Vernon
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The world’s first Thai Carnival theme park is now up and running in Phuket. “Carnival Magic”, a 6.6-billion-baht ($160 million) development, opened towards the end of last year as the country’s tourism high season commenced. It has already seen crowds of international and domestic visitors flood through its doors, and is set to welcome 2 million tourists by the end of the year.
The park has been brought to the market by the founders and owners of Phuket FantaSea, the island’s long-standing Thai cultural theme park. In fact, Carnival Magic shared its opening day with the 20th anniversary of Phuket FantaSea.
Carnival Magic will stand next to its predecessor, making it easy for visitors to enjoy both culture and carnival magic in one trip. It will cover 100 rai (160,000 sqm) on Phuket’s Kamala Beach on the west coast. Kamala Beach was already one of the island’s main attractions, but with the launch of Carnival Magic, there is now even more reason to visit this area of coastal island paradise.
In an expression of Thai culture, the theme park will recreate the carnivals and temple fairs that are held across the country, featuring dazzling light displays, stand-out attractions, and an explosion of colour.
Nine Guinness World Records were broken in the making of Carnival Magic, including the Largest LED Sculpture, the Largest Outdoor Chandelier, and—wait for it—the world’s Largest Popcorn Machine.
Exploring Carnival Magic
In the Carnival Fun Fair zone, visitors can dip in and out of shops and stalls whilst nearby carnival performances play out all night long. With sweet treats and fairground rides galore, this is any kid’s dream and will be sure to make their trip to Thailand one to remember.
The Kingdom of Lights is another great feature of the park. This zone boasts tens of millions of lights and some really incredible light shows which will fascinate children and parents alike.
When you’re feeling peckish, look out for two giant peacocks. These mesmerising bird statues guard the entrance to the Bird of Paradise Buffet Restaurant, where you can sample traditional Thailand dishes as well as other cuisines from around the world.
After a bite to eat, you can spend the evening in one of the world’s largest indoor show theatres, The River Palace. Comprising 16,000 square metres, this gigantic venue has been inspired by the ancient palaces of the Kamala Kingdom. Inside, crowds of more than 2,000 spectators gather to watch spectacular performances unfold on an impressive 70-meter-long and 22-meter-high stage.
If you’re lucky, you might be in town to catch the world’s biggest indoor parade show, the River Carnival. (And don’t forget to look out for the world’s longest float, which is about the size of the world’s largest passenger jet.)
The ultimate destination for families
TIME recently listed Phuket in its World’s Greatest Places 2023, thanks to its “family thrills”. The island’s family appeal, TIME largely attributes to Carnival Magic and other star attractions, such as Torry’s family-run ice cream shop and The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.
Mr Kittikorn Kewkacha, CEO of Phuket FantaSea and Carnival Magic, said:
Our mission was to establish a landmark destination that would encourage more visitors to the island, and in so doing, help create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and ultimately boost the local tourism industry.
Phuket’s impressive cultural attractions, combined with its beautiful beaches and rich culture, make it one of Thailand’s most popular islands and a superb destination for all ages. The opening of this new grand park has consolidated Phuket’s family appeal, and will no doubt help to attract even more visitors to the island in the coming years.
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Carnival Magic Phuket
Carnival Magic is a new 40-acre nighttime Thai carnival theme park, known as the Magical Kingdom of Lights. It features numerous record-breaking attractions that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Situated on the resort island of Phuket, Thailand, Carnival Magic stands as an iconic destination that no visitor to Phuket should miss.
At the Carnival Fun Fair, visitors can indulge in shopping for high-quality products, enjoy all-night carnival performances and fun activities, all within a festive and celebratory atmosphere created by a vast array of bright and colourful shops.
One of the earliest recorded instances of such a harvest festival is the ancient Roman festival of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. This festival, known as Cerealia, was held in honor of Ceres and included feasting, parades, and the offering of sacrifices. The participants would give thanks for the abundance of crops and pray for a prosperous future.
Bird of Paradise Buffet
The Bird of Paradise Buffet Restaurant is a dining facility that can accommodate 3,000 guests. It offers a diverse selection of more than 100 delicacies from both the East and the West. This includes Indian, vegetarian, and Halal dishes.
Similarly, the ancient Greeks celebrated a festival called Thesmophoria, dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility. This festival involved a three-day gathering of women, during which they would engage in rituals, feasts, and ceremonies to honor and give thanks to Demeter for a successful harvest. Even in ancient Celtic societies, harvest festivals were a prominent feature of their culture. The festival known as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season, was considered a time of thanksgiving and paying homage to the gods for the abundance of food. This festival also served as a way to honor and remember the deceased. It is clear that the tradition of celebrating harvest festivals and giving thanks has ancient pagan origins. The practice of expressing gratitude to a higher power for abundance and blessings was deeply ingrained in these societies. The modern-day Thanksgiving holiday, although stripped of its overtly pagan elements, still carries echoes of these ancient traditions. Although Thanksgiving has been embraced by Christian communities as a time to give thanks to God, its pagan roots cannot be ignored. The act of gathering together with loved ones to share a meal and express gratitude dates back centuries and has been adapted and incorporated into various cultures and religious practices. In conclusion, Thanksgiving, despite its Christian associations, has deep pagan roots. The concept of giving thanks and celebrating abundance has been present in human societies since ancient times, as evidenced by the harvest festivals of various pagan cultures. While the modern-day celebration may have evolved and changed, the essence of expressing gratitude remains a significant part of Thanksgiving..
Reviews for "The Forgotten Pagan Roots of Thanksgiving: Discovering the Origins of America's Favorite Holiday"
1. Robert - 2/5 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Thanksgiving and its pagan background." As someone who loves Thanksgiving and enjoys the traditional celebration with family and friends, this documentary left a bad taste in my mouth. It focused too much on the history of the holiday and its possible pagan origins rather than celebrating the spirit of gratitude and togetherness that Thanksgiving represents. I understand the importance of knowing the history, but I was expecting a more uplifting and positive exploration of the holiday.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars -
I found "Thanksgiving and its pagan background" to be extremely biased and misleading. The documentary presented a one-sided view of Thanksgiving, painting it as a purely pagan festival with no acknowledgement of its cultural and historical significance. The lack of objectivity was disappointing, and it felt like the filmmaker had an agenda to discredit and undermine Thanksgiving rather than providing a balanced and informative perspective. I would not recommend this documentary to anyone seeking a fair and accurate understanding of Thanksgiving.
3. John - 2/5 stars -
I was hoping to learn more about the origins of Thanksgiving in "Thanksgiving and its pagan background," but unfortunately, I was left unsatisfied. The documentary presented a lot of theories and speculations without substantial evidence to support them. It lacked concrete historical facts and relied too heavily on assumptions. I think the concept of exploring the pagan influence on Thanksgiving could have been intriguing, but the execution fell short. I would have preferred a more scholarly and rigorous examination of the topic.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars -
"Thanksgiving and its pagan background" was a complete disappointment. Instead of being informative and thought-provoking, it came across as incredulous and sensationalized. The documentary seemed more interested in generating controversy and stirring up a debate rather than offering any valuable insights. I felt like my time was wasted watching it, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a nuanced and balanced understanding of Thanksgiving's history.