Trees of Diversity draw communities to celebrate Christmas

Intermountain Catholic

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In addition to the tree exhibition, a Nativity display is exhibited; shown is one from the Philippine community, made with paper. 

SALT LAKE CITY — Christmas traditions from throughout the world are on display at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. This is the seventh year that members of many diverse communities have gathered to make a display of their Christmas traditions; the holiday tree exhibit is displayed from Monday through Thursday.

The groups who create the displays represent not only different cultures but also artists, non-profits and commercial interests. Each year the number of groups involved has grown. For example, this year the Honduran community has a presence for the first time. ‘The Maya World’ is the name of the scene that Lester Miller with his family made in a display of the Mayan culture native to Honduras.

"I want to make the name of my country present," said Miller, who is proud of his country’s Mayan tradition. "We have a display business so we used our creativity and tools to make the scene happen."

The purpose of this cultural center’s exhibit is to bring the community together in the celebration of various holiday traditions, not only from different countries but from diverse religious backgrounds and various family or community traditions.

"This is not about Christmas; what it is about is people bringing the traditions of this season of the year and display it on a tree," said Ross L. Olsen, executive director of the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

Each tree is used as a sign of friendship and is used to display the art and artifacts representing the richness of community traditions.

This year the Trees of Diversity exhibition has more than 25 trees and holiday scenes created by various community and ethnic groups. Included are Amish, Honduran, American Indian, Chilean, Peruvian and other South American countries, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Africa, Hawaii, Scotland, New Zealand, Ten-Thousand Villages, Pennsylvania Dutch, Domestic Violence Shelter, Japan, Russia, Vietnam, United States, Italy, Whimsical, Mali, Canada, Tibet and Africa.

The Utah Cultural Center will also be displaying artifacts and other historical items from around the world, along with art pieces, nativities, nutcrackers, gingerbread houses, special holiday "store window" scenes, sculptures and wreaths.

The Nativity collection began when Olsen displayed several Nativity scenes from his personal collection for the first annual Trees of Diversity exhibit. The collection now represents 30 different countries.

"This is the time of the year when we want people to come together," Olsen said. "This is the time of peace on earth, so hopefully better understanding, better communication (and) sharing traditions bring people together."

Also two special displays will highlight holiday traditions in the Jewish and Muslim communities, and the 100+ Dolls from Around the World collection is also on display.

The Tree of Diversity is open to the public through Dec. 30, Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South. For information, call 801-965-5100.