A Look Back
20 years of December cover stories
By Sarah Kittle
Over the past two decades, CN’s December cover stories have captured the evolving cultural, religious, and social fabric of the Chaldean community, showcasing key moments, traditions, and achievements.
In 2004, the focus was on Chaldean Christmas traditions, highlighting the significance of dishes like pacha and koolecha as well as customs like lighting bonfires and singing hymns, emphasizing the role of family and faith. The 2005 edition delved into the strained relationship between Chaldeans and Detroit’s Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, stressing the need for political engagement. In 2006, the community’s charitable efforts during the holiday season were highlighted, focusing on food drives and outreach programs for the less fortunate.
The 2007 cover focused on Chaldean Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly’s election to a prominent Vatican position, raising global awareness about the persecution of Iraqi Christians. In 2008, the cover celebrated Chaldean Christmas celebrations, offering insights into the religious and culinary aspects of the season. The 2009 edition spotlighted the St. Thomas Grotto, emphasizing its role in preserving Chaldean heritage.
In 2010, the community’s response to the ongoing violence against Christians in Iraq was explored, with an emphasis on the persecution Chaldeans were facing abroad. The 2011 cover story highlighted the Detroit Institute of Arts’ “Picturing Jesus” exhibit, framed as a Christmas gift to the city. In 2012, the historic election of Michigan’s first Chaldean-American state representative, Klint Kesto, was featured, celebrating political progress for the community.
The 2013 holiday edition offered a curated gift guide that resonated with Chaldean cultural and religious values, followed by the 2014 focus on local artisans and businesses providing culturally significant gifts. The 2015 holiday edition again highlighted gifts with a blend of tradition and luxury, emphasizing locally sourced, handmade items.
In 2016, the grand opening of the Chaldean Cultural Center was celebrated as a major step in preserving and promoting Chaldean heritage, offering a resource for education and cultural events. The 2017 holiday issue focused on Chaldean pastries, particularly koolecha and basbousa, exploring how these traditional sweets are an integral part of holiday gatherings.
The 2018 cover story examined how Catholicism and art intersected within the Chaldean community, showcasing how faith has influenced local artists. In 2019, the gift guide again featured Chaldean artisans, promoting locally made products. The 2020 cover focused on the challenges the community faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how families adapted holiday traditions and stayed connected.
In 2021, the cover featured community members’ personal Christmas memories, reflecting on how the meaning of the holiday had evolved over time. In 2022, the play “Noura” by Heather Raffo was highlighted for its exploration of themes such as displacement and identity, resonating deeply with Chaldean and Middle Eastern audiences. Last year, the cover story celebrated the life-changing impact of adoption within Chaldean families, emphasizing how it strengthens both individual families and the broader community.
As we look back on these rich and diverse cover stories over the past two decades, it’s clear that the Chaldean community’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and cultural preservation. From the celebration of time-honored traditions to the recognition of new milestones, each story has helped to paint a vivid picture of a community that continually adapts while holding onto its core values.