Building houses out of gingerbread is a traditional Christmas activity originating in Germany where the dough is called lebkuchen or "the bread of life." Its name derives from the monks who ate it while making the many candles needed in monasteries during the Middle Ages.

 

For the past six years, Germany native Susanne Stamer has visited her children's school to bring this tradition to the Shanghai Community International Schools students.

 

With the support of parents and teachers, each class takes turns cutting out the gingerbread dough and frosting and decorating their house. It is then displayed it in the SCIS Gingerbread Village.

 

Each year the village has grown in size and scope, with buildings ranging from barns and traditional Chinese houses to hotels - this year, there is even a replica of the Xujiahui Cathedral.

 

SCIS students come from 43 different countries and regions, creating an atmosphere where the school celebrates this international diversity and without religious affiliation.

 

Members of the SCIS community value and share the richness of the different religions and cultures from around the world. The school thrives on families who wish to share their native traditions with the school community.

 

(Shanghai Daily December 20, 2006)