EUGENE, Ore. -- (Dec. 7, 2009) - The University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, in partnership with FOOD for Lane County and KLCC, presents the annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Friday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free with a nonperishable food donation to FOOD for Lane County.
The Winter Solstice Celebration will take place at the museum, 1680 E. 15th Ave., with performances and presentations at the neighboring Many Nations Longhouse and Knight Law Center.
Solstice marks the longest night of the year, when the Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted the farthest from the sun. Cultures around the world and throughout history have acknowledged this astronomical changing of season in different ways. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History brings together traditions of many cultures in this community celebration.
Museum visitors can explore exhibits, make sun catchers and luminaries to take home or give as gifts, enjoy marimba music from Kutsinhira's Wednesday Youth Ensemble and enter the museum raffle for a chance to win great prizes.
"The museum's Winter Solstice Celebration is the perfect holiday event because it truly offers something for everyone," said Ann Craig, the museum's assistant director for education.
Hot cider and cookies will be served, as well as performances by local artists at the Many Nations Longhouse. Community dance group Ballet Folklòrico Alma de Mexico will perform regional Mexican dances, and Native American Storyteller Ed Edmo of the Shoshone-Bannoc tribe will weave native tales such as "The Devious Coyote Who Eats His Own Rump," and "The Monster Woman With Bad Breath."
The Knight Law Center will feature classics professor Mary Jaeger discussing, "The Roman Saturnalia." The talk will focus on Saturnalia, a festival that marked the dedication of a temple to Saturn and took place during the winter solstice.
The museum store will be open for holiday shopping. Visitors can browse the nature-inspired and educational gifts and give the gift of learning to people of all ages with a museum membership. Family memberships, which provide free admission to museum exhibits and events all year and discounts at more than 200 museums nationwide, will be offered at half price.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Judi Pruitt, assistant director of visitor services, 541-346-1671, judip@uoregon.edu
Link: Museum of Natural and Cultural History, http://www.uoregon.edu/~mnh/
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