Posts Tagged ‘holidays’
International Ambassadors
Season’s Greetings
Friday, December 23rd, 2011 by Astrid BostenInternational Ambassadors
National and Religious Holidays in December / Nationale und Religiöse Feiertage im Dezember
Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
In many countries, December is the ultimate holiday month. The main reason for that is Christmas. Traditions may vary from country to country, but the reason for celebrating is everywhere the same: the birth of Jesus Christ. This is also the reason, why Christmas is only celebrated in Christian countries. The actual festive day is the 25th, but in many countries, the festivities begin the night before. Also, the 26th is a holiday in many countries, for example in Germany, Great Britian or Italy. In Great Britain the 26th is called Boxing Day, in Italy it is called St. Stephan’s day and commemorates St. Stephan, the first Christian martyr.
Spain celebrates its Constitution Day on the 6th. It commemorates the political reform of Spain and the end of dictatorship in 1975. On December 6, 1978 Spain became a democracy.
Christmas is not the only holiday of the Christian religion in December. Children are looking forward to Saint Nicholas on the 6th. In many European countries it is an occasion to give presents to children. Many children put their shoes in front of the chimney or the door. On the next morning, they will find small presents and sweets in them. Saint Nicholas, as we know him today, goes back to the bishop of Myra, who live in the fourth century.
December 8th commemorates the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. It a national holiday in Austria, Argentina, Spain and Italy.
But not only Christians celebrate big holidays in December.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which is celebrated for eight days, this year from 2nd to the 9th. It is also known as the festival of lights and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Traditionally, families gather to celebrate together. Often, the kids receive little presents. An important part of the celebrations is the Menorah, a nine-branch candelabrum.
On the 7th December, the Islamic New Year is celebrated. It commemorates Mohammeds flight from Mekka to Medina, where the first Islamic state was founded. It is a quiet holiday, especially compared to other new year celebrations on the 31st December. [DE]
International Ambassadors
National and Religious Holidays in August / Nationale und Religiöse Feiertage im August
Monday, August 2nd, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
Just the same as the other summer months, August is very economical with national and religious holidays.
Bank holiday in Great Britain and Ireland:
Great Britain and Ireland celebrate a bank holiday on August, 30th. It’s the summer bank holiday, taking place each year on last Monday of August. For many people this day marks the end of summer and the return to work and school. In London the day is celebrated with the Notting Hill Carnival.
Turkish Victory Day
Also Turkey celebrates a national holiday on the 30th: the Turkish Victory Day. It commemorates the victory in the final battle of the Turkish war of independence in 1922.
Feast of the Assumption
On August, 15th an important day in the Catholic Church take place: the feast of the assumption. This day dates back to the 5th century. According to the belief, it commemorates the assumption of Mary into heaven.
Ramadan:
August, 11th marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (trans: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year as it is a moving holiday depending on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. [DE]
International Ambassadors
National and Religious Holidays in May / Nationale und Religiöse Feiertage im Mai
Monday, May 3rd, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
The merry month of May starts with the May Day, or labor day, a national holiday which is celebrated in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Mexico, China, Brazil and various countries worldwide. This holiday has its origin in political demonstrations by the workers unions, who fought for an eight-hour-day back in 1886.
In Germany in many places there is the tradition to set up trees decorated with colored masking tapes. These trees are usually set up by young men who dedicated it to the girl the fell in love with.
In the United Kingdom, May Day is celebrated as a bank holiday on the first Monday in May. In the UK there is another bank holiday which is celebrated on the last Monday of the month. This year the Spring Bank Holiday will be celebrated on the 31st of May.
In the US, the 31st is the Memorial Day that commemorates US people who died in the military service. It was originally introduced as „Decoration Day“, a memorial day for soldiers of the civil war, but was expanded in 1971.
France celebrates on May 8 the “Fête de la Victoire“. This day commemorates the victory over Hitler. This holiday controversial. In 1975 it was even disastablished.
Turks celebrate the Commemoration of Atatürk and the Youth & Sports Day on the 19th. This holiday commemorates the beginning of the Turkish independence war in 1919.
The „Ascension Day“ is a Christian holiday celebrated on the 13th. It takes place 40 days after Jesus Christ resurrection of death. On this day Jesus Christ ascends to heaven. 10 days later, it’s Whitsun, a holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit. Whitsun originates from the Jewish holiday Shavout. It commemorates the day, God gave the Thora to Moses. [DE]
Diversity & Inclusion
National and Religious Holidays in April / Nationale und Religiöse Feiertage im April
Thursday, April 1st, 2010 by Astrid Bosten
April is a month full of national and religious celebrations. Easter, the most important holiday of the Christians, is celebrated on April 4 and 5. In Israel, April 11 is a national memorial day to commemorate the Jews who perished in the Holocaust. On the 23rd Turkey celebrates the National Sovereignity and Children’s day, a celebration that fosters friendship between children and commemorates the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1920. Italy celebrates the end of dictatorship on the 25th. People in China commemorate their ancestors on April 5th, tomb sweeping day. The Netherlands celebrate the Queens Birthday on the 30th in memory of Queen Juliana. The present Queen Beatrix’ birthday actually is on January 31st. [DE]
International Ambassadors
Am Aschermittwoch ist alles vorbei/ On Ash Wednesday it’s all over
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 by Astrid BostenKarneval, Fastnach or Fasching – also known as the fifth season – is the time for fun, jollity and overwhelming lust for life. Starting on Twelfth Day until Ash Wednesday traditionally it’s Carneval in German speaking countries. Highlights are the old hag’s day and Carnival Monday. On Ash Wednesday it’s all over and the Lenten season starts. And although it’s not the properly meaning of carneval this extraordinary time is a good opportunity to experience diversity… [DE] (more…)
