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A Swan Song

Published 12th November 2009 - 4 comments - 957 views -

I've just returned from "A Christmas Carol". Although the animation has a happy ending & Dickens' novel was one of my favorites when I was 11-12 years old, I couldn't stop thinking about bad snow related scenarios during the entire representation. 

For any Romanian, and a bit more for me because I was born in the middle of winter, Christmas is not Christmas without snow. Neither all presents in the world, nor all carols in the universe and not even Santa himself can make for the lack of it. Snowflakes falling down, cold that turns our noses and ears all red, countless scarves and boots and a Christmas tree filled with colored ornaments - they are all part of us and mostly, part of the winter spirit.

I miss snow. And I hate the movie for reminding me about this again. It all started a couple of days ago, when Diego and I had a conversation about snow and about how much I love winter and, as Brazil doesn't have any, how much I hope he will get to see some in reality, not just on TV or the artificial kind that smells like plastic.

Then, again, several hours ago, I spoke to a very good friend of mine who's in the Netherlands and she was telling me that winter tradition there is different from here in Romania. Saint Nicholas is their most important winter figure and snow has no role in their winter traditions.

And now the movie, with all those 3D effects that make everything so real, and give me the impression that I can go bring my sleigh, step into the story and slide along with the other characters at any time.

The reality is an old mr Grinch who kept laughing at me every winter in the last couple of years. And it's doing the same now. 

If I'd read no studies and no articles, if there would be no scientists to prove it, I'd still knew climate change is happening because snow is slowly disappearing. Less and less every year, until it will be completely gone.

If I used to build snow strongholds and throw snow bombs all the time while playing with my friends when I was a kid, I have to go to a damn movie to see some now. You can say it's still early, we're in November, why all the fuss? Well, the following photos were taken in my country, in a small town, at the beginning of November a couple of years ago.

flickr photos courtesy of BGD_CM

And there are many more image galleries that speak for the past in a similar way. Now, it's the middle of November, passed midnight and there are 9 degrees outside. Isn't it a bit ironic?

I haven't had any snow last year either. Although there were places where it snowed a lot in December and January, the city where I live in was not so lucky.

So, I wrote Santa and asked him for two things. A good deal at COP15 for the whole world & some snow for Christmas for me.

Category: UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags: climate change, christmas, snow,



Comments

Peter Sain ley Berry on 13th November 2009:

Lovely!  I’d like some snow for Christmas too!

And a deal at COP15 or if not then, by next Christmas perhaps.

Daniel Nylin Nilsson on 13th November 2009:

The snow thing was what actually made me feel emotional about climate change also. My kids won’t have white christmas, won’t ski, won’t know the muted sound in a snow covered town. Sad.

And now I live in a place where snow is an un-known concept even for the locals (as weather in South Sweden reminds of the Netherlands), Horrible :D

Reading your post again made me think about what the four seasons mean for European culture and identity… We won’t be the same without them, as they are so fundamental for all our national cultures.

Adela on 13th November 2009:

@Peter - I can imagine English villages as idyllic places with lots of snow, smoke coming out of the chimneys and kids sleighing down the hills.

@Daniel - I hope with all my heart that the future is not one without snow. Probably someone who studies cultural antropology would be able to argument better the link between the four seasons and our national cultures.

I can only say that all 4 are part of me as an alternative sense: spring smells like rain & green leaves, summer feels like a warm touch of sun and holiday cheer, autumn tastes like grapes and mushrooms and winter is too precious to be put into words.

Aija Vanaga on 13th November 2009:

Taste of winter. It is connected with snow for me too. No snow, no Christmas feeling.

I do hope to get one in Latvia definitely this time!

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