By: Aryana Mehran '26
Every month, the French Club at Notre Dame comes together to celebrate French culture through various activities, such as crafts, games, excursions, and more. To celebrate Christmas this year, we took a trip to the Union Square Christmas Market to view numerous examples of this shared joyful holiday spirit, providing us all with insight into how we can find aspects of French culture all around us in New York City.
We explored a plethora of stands, many of which sold items that resonated with our club. One food sold was Raclette, a dish with hot, melted cheese, which is commonly served in Europe. The word “Raclette” is derived from the verb "racler" in French meaning "to scrape". This dish is an avid example of how we can appreciate aspects of other countries in places all together in the Christmas market.
Next, we viewed the elegant and brightly lit lanterns at another stand. Not only were the colors and joy radiating out of this display as a classic symbol of the Christmas season, but it was also one of the most vibrant booths in the entire market. Near this, we noticed that many people and shopkeepers actually spoke French. This was not a surprise at all, as many vendors were selling items that were a part of French culture.
The overall experience of viewing and interacting with this festive spot in New York City was educational, enjoyable, and culturally diverse. I would encourage anyone who is looking to encounter holiday events and displays of such nature to visit the market at Union Square to see avid examples of the beauty of this season. It will most definitely be a productive and fulfilling trip, just as it was for us.
Sources: Photo by Aryana Mahran '26
Edited by: Katarina Radulovic '24 and Ms. Brilliant
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