[A LARGE GASP.... He wants to learn about those other cultures and might ask for those calendars later - but for right now he's easily distracted.]

Ahaha yes exactly! It's a very popular festival in my country - people gather to raise their wishes to the heavens! There's even a story that goes along with it, and I believe that it is meant to celebrate the bonds between people and show the importance of togetherness, even amongst difficult times and hard work!

[even if he's wrong

he probably sounds sure of himself enough to be persuasive]