A talk by Ludo Broothaers

Ludo will explain about the timing of the two major Christian festivals. Our modern calendars are the proof that everyone needs to know what part of the year we are in. That was and is particularly so in agricultural societies. Farmers need to know when to plough, sow, harvest and do what was necessary to survive the winter. But how could they know? The first problem: when does the New Year and new life-cycle begin? When the sun stands at its lowest above the horizon? When spring brings everything to life? Next problem: how should we know when the right season arrives? Does nature offer any tell-tale signs that make it possible to recognise those moments? Definitely yes. The answer lies in the observation of astronomical phenomena: the sun and moon. Humans thus created the quite sacred times of the year around what Christian societies would later call Christmas and Easter. These festivals predate by far our current era. But why is Christmas always celebrated on the same calendar date, and why is that not the case with the date of Easter? Ludo has a PhD in Geology from the University of Leuven, Belgium. He spent much of his career in Morocco, Indonesia and Surinam. 

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