January

NEW YEAR'S DAY

New Year's Day and New Year’s Eve, known in Poland as Sylwester marks the start of the

carnival period, which features celebratory events like balls and parties. A fun tradition that has

been popular for centuries is the kulig (sleigh rides). Many people in Poland celebrate New Year’s

Day with dances, concerts, and meals featuring traditional Polish dishes including bigos (hunter’s

stew).

THE BEFANA (EPIPHANY)

The Befana is an ugly old woman dressed in ragged apparels, she looks like a witch and, as

a witch she flies around on a broom, sometimes with her cat, but, on the night between the 5° and

the 6° of January, in Italy, Befana comes through the chimneys to leave sweets to the children.

However, if they have been naughty, she leaves coal instead. On the evening of the 5° of January

children hang socks somewhere in the house, the following morning they find them full of sweets

.... or coal !

GREAT UNION

Every year, on January 24, the Romans celebrated the Great Union. One of the most

famous hore is the Hora Unirii (Hora of the Union), which became a Romanian patriotic song as a

result of being the hymn when Wallachia and Moldavia united to form the Principality of

Romania in 1859.

February

FAT THURSDAY

Fat Thursday is a traditional Christian feast marking the last Thursday before Lent and is

associated with the celebration of Carnival. On that day every person in Poland must eat at least

one pączek – doughnut for good luck.

ANDALUCIA´S DAY

It´s a regional celebration. Children remember to important Andalusia people and

traditions through poetry, music, painting and other cultural expressions.

VALENTINE'S DAY

People used to say that if the weather is nice on Valentine's Day we'll have nice weather

the rest of the year. On that day the women didn't spin because they believed that the St.

Valentine will protect them from any harm. In the northwest part of Croatia people used to bake

pastry in the shape of the heart. Today children and young write each other Valentine’s cards, men

give women flowers, chocolate or they go out together.

March

MARTIE 1

On March 1st, Romanians celebrate the coming of spring in their own unique way –

through the symbolic martisor (or trinket, in an approximate English translation). This sample

contains , there may be jewels, flowers, animals, luck symbols attached to the red-white lace. The

red is said to represent the summer, and the heat, while the white represents the winter, and the

cold.

MOTHER’S DAY

On March 8th we celebrate Mother’s day. The children’s works are given to their mothers.

WOMEN'S DAY

Children make cards for their mothers and men give women a red rose, but mostly

colleagues not husbands.

CARNIVAL (MARCH IN 2014)

People dress up and go to the street. Many groups create funny songs about any topic you can

imagine. Then they can take part in songs´ competitions, which are very popular.

This name comes from the latin words ‘carnem levare’ which means ‘without meat’. This

is because in the past it was forbidden to eat meat since forty days before Easter (Lent period). In

fact this year we celebrate this festivity from the 4th to the 8th of March. On the last day people

and children wear masks, play tricks and have a lot of parties.

April

EASTER

Christians celebrate Christ´s crucifixion. Women make red eggs and cake and go to

church.Children waiting for bunny to bring them chocolate eggs.

It’s a catholic feast. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls after the forty

days of Lent and this year it’s in April the 20th. In Italy parents use to give children chocolate eggs

with surprises inside. On that Sunday people use to hang olive brunches on their doors as a

meaning of peace and salvation.

Easter in Latvia is called Lieldienas. Today, both Christian and traditional holidays have

merged to create the Latvian modern-day Easter celebrations. Colouring eggs is a part of Easter

tradition. One of the older traditions associated with Lieldienas is building a swing and swinging on

it as high as possible.

Easter Monday, which falls after Easter Day (Wielkanoc), is a national holiday in Poland. It

commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Smigus Dyngus is a tradition in which people use

bucket pails or water guns to soak each other with water. Another event is the Emaus fair in

Krakow, where people set up stalls of candy, toys and trinkets.

EARTH'S DAY

We celebrate the Earth’s Day in Croatia since 1990. In schools children make posters or

learn more about ecology and saving the planet. There are many radio and TV-programmes about

celebrating the Earth’s Day. Some institutions organize ecological acitivities like cleaning the

forests or parks.

NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CHILDREN’S DAY

Solemn ceremonies and children’s festivals take place throughout Turkey on National

Sovereignty and Children’s Day, held on April 23 each year. Children take seats in the Turkish

Parliament and symbolically govern the country for one day.

May

LABOUR DAY

Many people in Poland enjoy May 1 by being outdoors, as it marks a time when the

weather becomes warmer in the spring. It is part of a holiday season known as Majówka, which

includes Poland’s Constitution Day, celebrated on May 3. There are occasional marches to promote

workers’ rights in some major cities.

THE DAY OF THE FLAG

This holiday was declared official in February 2004 by the Polish Sejm. It awakens

patriotism for their country in the soul of the Polish people and there are many concerts and shows

on that day in Poland.

CONSTITUTION DAY

Constitution Day is part of a holiday season known as Majówka, which also includes

the May 1/Labor Day holiday. It is celebrated with military parades, spring concerts and family

picnics. Many people also gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Grób Nieznanego Żołnierza)

at the Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. The monument is dedicated to unknown soldiers who gave

their lives for Poland.

FAIR (11TH-18TH OF MAY 2014)

Everybody dresses in flamenco clothes, and sings and dances traditional folk music.

During these days take place horses and carriages exhibitions.

RESTORATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

On this day in 1990, the parliament passed a resolution that was the starting point on the

path of restoring the country’s independence. This is an official public holiday.

June

CHILDREN'S DAY

International Children's Day is celebrated on 1st June each year. Usually this is marked by

poems spoken by children, children's TV programs, parties, various actions involving or where or

dedicated to children.

ANTI-FASCIST STRUGGLE DAY

We celebrate that day on the 22nd of June. It is a holiday and the people don’t go to school

or work that day. It is a memory of the 22nd of June 1941 when in the forest near Brezovica the first

Partisan squad was established which was the first anti hitler organization in Europe these days.

NATIONAL DAY

The National Day in Croatia is a holiday which we celebrate on the 25th of June. On that

day 1991 the Croatian National Parliament proclaimed the Croatian independence. It is a national

holiday.

JUNE 23, 24LĪGO AND JĀŅI

It is the shortest night of the year must be spent by staying awake all night by the glow of

the bonfire. The time is spent singing songs and enjoying.

Women and girls wear a crown of flowers on their heads on Jāņi, while men wear a crown of oak

leaves. Rooms and doors are decorated with birch boughs, shed and barn doors are decorated with

rowan branches.

July/August

VICTORY AND HOMELAND THANKSGIVING DAY

We celebrate the Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day on the 5th of August every year

as a memory of the victory in our Homeland war. On that day 1995 the Croatian army liberated the

occupied city Knin in the operation called Storm.

THE ASSUMPTION OF VIRGIN MARY

The Assumption of Virgin Mary into Heaven is celebrated on 15 August. There are

processions and celebrations in many sanctuaries of Mary. Celebrating Mary is one of the most

important parts in liturgical year. This is a national holiday.

POLISH ARMY DAY

On 15 August, Poland marks Polish Army Day, which commemorates the anniversary of

the 1920 Battle of Warsaw (also known as the “Miracle on the Vistula”). To celebrate the day,

garrison churches hold masses on behalf of soldiers, who fell in the fields of glory, and readings of

the roll of the dead take place in cemeteries. The Change of Guards takes place before the Tomb of

the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, attended by the Polish State authorities.

SAINT ROCH´ S DAY

Saint Roch is the patron saint of our parish. Our church was named after him. St. Roch is

the patron saint of people who suffer from leprosy, plague, cholera (and other contagious

diseases), invalids, surgeons and animals (especially dogs). St. Roch´s Day is celebrated on 16

August.

September

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

The first day of school in Poland always starts on September 1, or the first Monday

following if September 1 is a Saturday or Sunday. On that day children don’t have lessons.

Everybody gathers at school for a special assembly. Children wear full dress on that day.

SEPTEMBER 29 MIĶELIIS

It is a traditional Latvian festival.The ending of summer and the turning of the sun

towards winter. By the celebration of Miķeļi all crops must be stored and the gardens harvested, as

after Miķeļi the gates are open for winter. Among the traditional activities are 'Jumis

chasing and welcoming' (Jumisis the spirit of the dead),and on the ritual menu

is bread,rooster,porkor mutton.

BOY'S DAY

Boy's Day (Dzieo Chłopaka) on September 30 - on this day girls are giving presents to boys

October

INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Independence Day is a holiday in Croatia, so the 8th of October is a non working day.

On that day 1991 the Croatian National Parliament decided to terminate the link between Croatia

and SFR Yugoslavia.

DAYS OF BREAD

Days of bread are days of thanksgiving for all fruits of the earth. It is celebrated in October

every year in kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools, children´s homes and all the other

educational institutions. By praying, giving blessings to breads that are specially baked for this day,

we thank God for all the fruits, joys, success and gifts that were given to us during the year.

THE SACRIFICE FEAST

The Sacrifice Feast in Turkey is a four-day religious festival. The Sacrifice Feast traditions

in Turkey include sacrificing an animal in a special ritual, visiting relatives and helping the poor.

TEACHERS’ DAY

Teachers’ Day is a special special day observed in many countries to honor teachers and

appreciate their contributions for the countries’ education. Teachers in Poland receive flowers and

sweets from pupils. School play and activities can be also scheduled by student body.

REPUBLIC DAY

Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by attending performances

and participating in traditional processions with flags and musical bands. The Turkish Republic’s

founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed Republic Day as Turkey’s most important holiday.

November

ALL SAINTS' DAY

All Saints Day is also a holiday in Croatia, a non working day people use to visit the graves

of their loved ones. On Croatian graveyards there are thousands of lights and floral arrangements.

It makes a beautiful sight and the graveyards are full of people even few days before and few days

after the holiday. The most people visit the graves more than once, and the best atmosphere is in

the evenings because of the lights.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Poland’s National Independence Day marks the anniversary of the country’s

independence in 1918. It is celebrated as a nationwide holiday on November 11 each year.

ST.MARTIN’S DAY

On this day, the people of Poznao buy and eat considerable amounts of "Rogale" locally

produced croissants, made especially for this occasion from half-French paste with white-poppy

seeds, crushed almonds or walnuts and dainties, so-called "Rogal świętomarcioski". Poznanians

celebrate with a feast, specially organised by the city. There are different concerts, a St. Martin's

parade and a fireworks show.

PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

In 1918, national representatives convened in what is now the National Theatre

and proclaimed the independence of the Latvian state. This is an official public holiday.

VUKOVAR MEMORIAL DAY

This is the day when we remember all the people who died in the Homeland War. It is the

date when we commemorate the fall of Vukovar, a town in the east of Croatia that has become the

symbol of Croatian freedom.

December

SAINT LUCIA

Santa Lucia, is a Christian saint who underwent her martyrdom when she was very young.

A legend says that, while she was in heaven, she missed very much the company of her family and

of the children, so Saint Peter gave her permission to go back on Earth once a year to make

children happy. On the night between the 13° and the 14° of December, with the help of a donkey,

she flies to bring presents to the children. This tradition is typical of the northern regions of Italy.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Special dinners consisting of traditional Polish dishes are prepared and eaten on

Christmas Eve. Dishes include beetroot soup (barszcz), dumplings stuffed with mushrooms (uszka),

a cabbage dish, as well as cakes, fruit, and pastries. It is not unusual for some hosts to prepare for

an extra seat for an unexpected guest. It is also customary to break and give the Christmas wafer

(oplatek), which is made of flour and water, to guests. Many people attend a special church mass

at midnight between December 24 and 25.

CHRISTMAS

This is the most important feast in Italy. It falls on the 25th of December and it celebrates

Jesus Christ’s birth. The Crib is the most ancient symbol of Christmas in Italy. In each house families

do their own cribs during Christmas Eve and they leave it until the 6th of January when the Three

Wise Men arrive to give presents to Jesus. Of course the Christmas tree is also very popular in Italy.

We celebrate Christmas building nativities scenes, decorating Christmas trees, singing

Christmas carols.The meaning for Christmas is to recognize Christ’s birth.

We celebrate Christmas , decorating Christmas trees, singing Christmas carols. Everyone is

waiting for Santa Claus with gifts.

ST. STEPHEN'S DAY

The day after Christmas is a holiday in Croatia, because the Saint Steven was the first

catholic martyr. On that day people go to visit their families and friends and all Stevens celebrate

that day by baking cakes and having guests.