Cathy Liska 
From wearing traditional ornaments to celebrating musical heritage, here are seven answers to the question, “What facts about your culture do you wish more people knew?”
- Bulgaria’s Martenitsa Tradition
- Poland’s Outstanding Cuisine
- Vietnam’s Variety of Religious Figures
- Sweden’s Fika Experience
- Pakistan’s Relationship With Elders
- Jewish Resilience and Strength
- Lithuania’s Musical History
Bulgaria’s Martenitsa Tradition
Bulgarian culture is rich and diverse, and there are many fascinating aspects of it that are worth knowing. One fact that I wish more people knew about Bulgarian culture is the tradition of Martenitsa.
Martenitsa are small, red and white yarn ornaments that Bulgarians wear in March as a symbol of spring. The tradition is based on the belief that the colors red and white symbolize health and purity, and wearing this is supposed to bring good health and luck throughout the year.
You wear Martenitsa for the first time on March 1st, which is celebrated in Bulgaria as Baba Marta Day (Grandma March Day). On this day, Bulgarians exchange Martenitsa as a sign of friendship and good wishes for health and prosperity.
Georgi Todorov, Founder, ThriveMyWay
Poland’s Outstanding Cuisine
Polish cuisine is famous for its hearty, home-style cooking, with dishes often made from simple ingredients and rich in flavor. Some of the most famous Polish dishes include pierogi (dumplings filled with meat, cheese, or potatoes), bigos (a stew made with sauerkraut, meat, and mushrooms), and Gołąbki (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice).
Other popular dishes include Zurek (a sour soup made with rye flour) or Makowiec (a poppy seed cake). Besides its traditional cuisine, Poland is also famous for its high-quality beer and vodka.
Overall, Polish cuisine is an essential aspect of the country’s cultural identity, and its flavors reflect the country’s history and traditions.
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Resume Now
Vietnam’s Variety of Religious Figures
Religion is a big part of our culture. Although Buddhism is by far the most prevalent religion in Vietnam, our people worship a variety of distinct figures, including ancestors, local deities, the Chinese traditional pantheon, and, of course, Buddha.
People donate money to temples and pagodas as transactions for something good to happen. Our practice of worship and spirituality is blatantly materialistic and superstitious.
This does not mean that we do not have genuine religious scholars or spiritual leaders, but compared to the business executives and pretenders, there are not very many of them.
Logan Nguyen, Co-Founder, Midss
Sweden’s Fika Experience
As a multitasker working in different roles, I strongly believe in having a proper work-life balance. This is where my favorite tradition, Fika, comes in. Sweden ranks as the best in the world for its work-life balance, and Fika contributes to this.
Fika is a time when friends or colleagues can come together and share their thoughts and ideas over a coffee. It’s a chance to build relationships and strengthen connections in an informal setting. If you are working, you get to take a pause, enjoy your tea or coffee, and connect with others.
It’s a great way to break up your workday while also increasing productivity. Once you get back to work after your break, you have improved focus and concentration to get through the rest of the day.
Fika also reflects our culture’s emphasis on building social connections. It helps you savor the moment instead of always being on the go and chasing the next thing. You get to create a sense of togetherness.
Andreas Grant, Founder, Networks Hardware
Pakistan’s Relationship With Elders
Growing up as a Pakistani has been an incredibly enriching experience for me, especially living in a culture with so much respect for elders. We can feel the warmth and kindness that are extended to elders when they enter a room, and we cannot overlook it.
The joy that passes between generations is omnipresent, and it’s always amazing to see how deep the conversations can go when there are no differences in age or rank separating us.
The custom between the young and the old always sparks curiosity in everyone who sees it, making it one of my favorite aspects of my culture.
Haya Subhan, General Manager, Sheffield First Aid Courses
Jewish Resilience and Strength
I’m Jewish, and one fact about my culture that I wish more people knew is that we have a very long and rich history. We’ve been around for thousands of years and have faced many trials and tribulations throughout our history, yet we have remained a strong, vibrant community. We have a deep connection to our land, our culture, and to our faith.
We have a strong emphasis on education, family, and community, and we commit to living our lives with integrity and respect for others. Our culture is an incredibly important part of our identity, and I would love for more people to understand and appreciate it.
Michael Lazar, Executive, ReadyCloud
Lithuania’s Musical History
Growing up in Lithuania, I have always been proud of the diverse and rich culture that is a part of it. I wish more people knew about Lithuania’s rich musical heritage, especially its traditional music and folk songs.
Lithuania has powerful traditions of choral singing and instrumental performance, so much so that UNESCO declared Lithuania’s song and dance celebration a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”.
As far as instruments go, many know Lithuania for its bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, whistles, drums, and other percussion instruments.
Lithuania’s musical diversity is something to be celebrated—it not only reflects Lithuania’s own identity as a culturally vibrant nation but also highlights the cultural similarities shared with other countries.
Nadzeya Sankovich, Regional Manager, Health Reporter
