Thanksgiving is a holiday that is largely associated with the history of the United States and is commonly celebrated as a time to give thanks for the blessings of the year. However, there are some interesting connections between Thanksgiving and pagan traditions that are worth exploring. One connection can be traced back to the origins of the holiday itself. While Thanksgiving is commonly associated with the Pilgrims and their feast with the Native Americans, the concept of giving thanks through feasting and celebration is not unique to these historical events. In fact, many pagan cultures and religions throughout history have celebrated similar rituals of giving thanks for the harvest and abundance of the year. In ancient Rome, for example, there was a festival called the "Ceresalia" that was dedicated to the goddess Ceres, who was the goddess of agriculture and fertility.
Our puppets were made by a team led by Jo Lakin. Makers were Helen Foan, Jessica Jones, Sarah Vigars and Rosie Williams.
The piece de resistance is an impressive three-person Aslan, whose forbidding stature, undulating movement and realistic head movement evokes the animal might of the National Theatre s long-running War Horse. The cast consists of both actors and puppeteers and the fluidity of their movements and seamless interactions is one of the most appealing things about the production.
In ancient Rome, for example, there was a festival called the "Ceresalia" that was dedicated to the goddess Ceres, who was the goddess of agriculture and fertility. This festival included feasting, parades, and games, all in celebration of the harvest season. Similarly, the ancient Greeks celebrated a festival called the "Thesmophoria" in honor of the goddess Demeter, who was also associated with the harvest.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
We were delighted to design and direct the puppetry for Birmingham Rep's new production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, directed by Tessa Walker.
The puppets were designed by Jo Lakin and Mervyn Millar, and directed by Mervyn Millar. A terrific cast and creative team including director Tessa Walker, designer Jamie Vartan and movement director Polly Bennett makes this a very exciting project.
Our puppets were made by a team led by Jo Lakin. Makers were Helen Foan, Jessica Jones, Sarah Vigars and Rosie Williams.
Aslan was puppeteered by Nuno Silva, David Albury and James Charlton. Grumpskin, Rumblebuffin and the Robin are puppeteered by Danielle Bird. Other puppets are performed by the cast including Emily Goodenough, Jo Servi and Thomas Aldridge.
The production ran in November and December 2015, and January 2016.
Much of the theatrical magic of this world is created by the wonderful puppetry which imparts lifelike mannerisms to hand-held squirrels and robins. The piece de resistance is an impressive three-person Aslan, whose forbidding stature, undulating movement and realistic head movement evokes the animal might of the National Theatre's long-running War Horse.Diane Parkes, The Stage
The cast consists of both actors and puppeteers and the fluidity of their movements and seamless interactions is one of the most appealing things about the production. Aslan the lion, in particular, is an amazing creation courtesy of Jo Lakin and Mervyn Millar, beautifully executed by a trio of performers headed by Nuno Silva. Moving elegantly and speaking and singing with exactly the right tone of authority and gravitas, it's possible to believe that this is almost a real giant king of the beasts commanding the stage.Michael Davies, whatsonstage.com
Putting on this children's classic was always going to be a challenge - how do you capture the magnificent power and beauty of the lion Aslan? In this wonderful production he is a giant puppet, operated by three men who did an amazing job bringing him to life, each movement so perfect you could see beyond the skeletal structure and almost imagine he is real… the wonderful puppetry, and powerful performances by the entire cast bring so much energy to this play.
If you are looking for a Christmas show which will captivate the kids - this is most definitely worth seeing. Simply magical.Sarah Probert, Birmingham Mail
…the stars of the show are the puppets (designed by Mervyn Millar and Jo Lakin). From small woodland creatures, to giants and dwarves, to the enormous Aslan creation; the level of detail is quite extraordinary. Aslan is in three detached pieces and the direction/operation of this puppet is faultless. Colin Grenfell's lighting emphasises its beauty. Nuno Silva operates the head whilst commanding the voice of Aslan and his vocals carry the exact warm tone and power of authority required. Danielle Bird also needs to be greatly recognised for her phenomenal puppeteering skills throughout.
A fun treat for the whole family which will certainly get you in the festive spirit.Jenny Ell, BroadwayWorld.com
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Aslan was puppeteered by Nuno Silva, David Albury and James Charlton. Grumpskin, Rumblebuffin and the Robin are puppeteered by Danielle Bird. Other puppets are performed by the cast including Emily Goodenough, Jo Servi and Thomas Aldridge.
This festival included fasting followed by feasting and was seen as a way to give thanks for the agricultural abundance of the year. These pagan traditions of giving thanks through feasting and celebration can be seen as precursors to the modern concept of Thanksgiving. While the specific religious and cultural contexts of these ancient rituals may be different, the underlying themes of gratitude and abundance are present in both. It is worth noting that the modern celebration of Thanksgiving also has strong religious connections, particularly with Christianity. Many Christians view Thanksgiving as a time to give thanks to God for His blessings, similar to how the ancient pagans gave thanks to their deities for the harvest. This religious aspect of Thanksgiving further highlights the connections between ancient pagan traditions and the modern holiday. In conclusion, while Thanksgiving is widely celebrated as a secular holiday in the United States, there are interesting connections between its traditions and ancient pagan rituals of giving thanks. The underlying themes of gratitude and abundance are present in both, highlighting the universal human desire to express thanks for the blessings of the year..
Reviews for "The Pagan Connections to Harvest Celebrations on Thanksgiving"
1. Sasha - 2 stars - I was very disappointed with "Thanksgiving with pagan connections". As someone who celebrates Thanksgiving as a tradition rooted in history and family, I found the inclusion of pagan connections to be unnecessary and unappealing. It felt like a cheap attempt to spice up a holiday that doesn't need any additional elements. I understand that people have different beliefs and celebrate holidays differently, but I just couldn't connect with this particular interpretation of Thanksgiving.
2. Ryan - 1 star - I regret watching "Thanksgiving with pagan connections". The whole concept seemed bizarre and forced. Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, and a time to come together. I didn't appreciate the attempt to mix pagan elements into a holiday that has a long-standing tradition. It felt disrespectful to the origins and values that Thanksgiving holds for many people. I believe there are better ways to explore spirituality and beliefs without tarnishing a beloved holiday.
3. Emma - 2 stars - "Thanksgiving with pagan connections" missed the mark for me. While I respect the freedom of creativity, I found the inclusion of pagan elements to be a distraction from what Thanksgiving represents. The movie could have explored the theme of inclusivity and different beliefs in a more subtle and meaningful way instead of using strange rituals and traditions that don't naturally align with the holiday. It left me feeling confused and disconnected from the intended message.