Winter Lights

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As we slog through the lingering darkness and await the return of the light, it is no surprise that cultures across the world have long filled this period of the year with festivals, feasting, dance, song and bonfires that emphasize, above almost anything else, the persistence of light.

December 21 marks the winter solstice—the point at which the annual process of shortening days and lengthening nights reaches its peak, bringing us the shortest day (or longest night, if you prefer) of the year. The solstice is a turning point; in the days, weeks and months that follow, the light returns—dependably—as it always has.

Join us for Listening in Place: Winter Lights, a series of short audio interviews with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds that explore what it means to share light during the darkest time of the year.

The Winter Lights series was part of Vermont Folklife’s pandemic response project: Listening in Place.

Learn more about Listening in Place here.

Listening in Place Episodes

Featured
Winter Lights: Andy Davis
Winter Lights: Andy Davis

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Join musician, retired educator and Folklife Center board member Andy Davis of Brattleboro as he talks about seasonal cycles, mummers plays and his long involvement with the troupe, Nowell Sing We Clear.

Winter Lights: Elisa Järnefelt
Winter Lights: Elisa Järnefelt

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Dr. Elisa Järnefelt is an artist, writer and cognitive scientist who has researched religious reasoning. A native of Finland, she lives with her husband and daughter in South Burlington, VT. In our Zoom interview, she talked with us about the winter holidays, and experiencing them from the perspective of her three year old daughter

Winter Lights: Alison and Joplin Wistar-James
Winter Lights: Alison and Joplin Wistar-James

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. On the first Saturday in January Alison and Joplin Wistar-James of Shelburne, VT have a bonfire...a bonfire made up of over a hundred dried out Christmas trees collected from friends, neighbors and local organizations.

Winter Lights: Carl-Erik Westberg
Winter Lights: Carl-Erik Westberg

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Carl-Erik Westberg about preparing the smorgasbord for Sankta Lucia, a Swedish holiday tradition marking the beginning of the Christmas season.

Winter Lights: Kurt Shaffert
Winter Lights: Kurt Shaffert

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. United Church of Christ pastor and cartoonist Kurt Shaffert spoke to us about where he’s finding the light this year.

Winter Lights: Näri Penson
Winter Lights: Näri Penson

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Näri Penson, Winooski resident and retired elementary school teacher, who organized annual Kwanzaa celebrations at the Schoolhouse Learning Center, a holiday commemorating African American heritage and unity.

Winter Lights: Elissa Johnk
Winter Lights: Elissa Johnk

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Elissa Johnk, Lead Minister at the First Congregational Church of Burlington UCC about how her congregation is sharing light and contending with the dark this year.

Winter Lights: Kerry Noonan
Winter Lights: Kerry Noonan

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Folklorist and Champlain College professor, Dr. Kerry Noonan shares her perspectives on winter festivals, the turning seasons and “relaxing into the darkness.”

Winter Lights: Anak Tseten
Winter Lights: Anak Tseten

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. We spoke to Vermont Tibetan community leader Anak Tseten about how his family and community think about light.

Winter Lights: Troy Austin
Winter Lights: Troy Austin

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Listen to our conversation with Troy Austin of Essex to find out why he covered his car in twinkle lights this year.

Winter Lights: Rabbi Amy Small
Winter Lights: Rabbi Amy Small

Listening in Place: Winter Lights explores the significance of sharing light during this darkest time of the year through conversations with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds. Listen to our conversation with Rabbi Amy Small, Senior Rabbi at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.