Estonian Calendar 2012

Angelina Jershova10A

January

People in Estonia love to celebrate this holiday and do it

loudly and merrily. The most remarkable thing is that you

can celebrate New Year twice. Russians living in Estonia

usually celebrate it first with Russia (this year - two hours

earlier than in Estonia) and then together with

Estonian citizens. And at last New Year according to the

old style/calendar- on January,14. Some like also

Chineese New Year in February.

January, 1 - New Year !

January, 6 - The Epiphany

One of the oldest Christian holiday dedicated to the birth of

Jesus Christ and events related to Chistmas. The epiphany is celebrated

with festivities and gift exchanges.

February

February, 14 – Saint Valentine's Day

On Valentine´s day called after Saint Valentine people used to give their dear

friends and beloved ones special presents:

flowers, heart-shaped postcards with hand-written love poetry or texts in them, called Valentines. Lovers give each other gifts and

spend romantic evening together.

February, 24 - Independence Day

The Republic of Estonia was founded on February 24, 1918 when the Salvation Committee declared the independence of the Republic of Estonia. This date was celebrated as the Day of Independence until the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940 and in 1989, the red flag of Soviet Estonia was replaced by the blue-black-white Estonian national flag on Toompea and since that time the Independence Day has been celebrated as a public holiday again.

February,20-26 Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the deadline for moving, which depends on the date of  Easter. Easter is considered the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox or solstice. This day people celebrate as „farewell to winter“.

Shrove Tuesday – Traditional food

Shrove Tuesday

Buns

Split pea soup

Shrove TuesdayOn Shrove  Tuesday the Song Festival and other Winter Joy activities in open air take place all over the country.

March

March, 8 – International women´s day

The focus of the celebrations ranges

from general celebration of

respect, appreciation and

love towards women to a

celebration for women's economic, political and social

achievements.

Women´s DayMen give women flowers and gifts

which symbolizelove and respect to them.

March, 14 - Native Language Day

On the 14th of March 1801 Kristjan Jaak Peterson was born. He is widely regarded as the father of Estonian literature and poetry. His contributions to the Estonian national and cultural identity cannot be underestimated.

April

April 1 - April Fools' Day

April, 1 is not a national holiday, but it´s widely recognized and celebrated in Estonia as the day when many people play jokes and tricks with their friends. 

April, 20 - Good FridayFriday of Holy Week, which is

dedicated to the remembrance of Jesus' death on the

Cross, Descent from the Cross and the burial of his body.

April, 22 - Easter Sunday

It is the oldest Christian festival, the most important holiday of the liturgical year.

Established in honor of the

resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter day is associated with special food.

Boiled eggs are traditionally served at breakfast.

Roast lamb, which is the main dish at Jewish Passover, is the traditional meat for the main meal on Easter Day.

Simnel cake is baked for tea.

May

May 13 – Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is a celebration

honoring mothers and celebrating

motherhood, maternal

bonds, and the influence of mothers in

society.

June

June, 4 - National Flag Day

The Estonian national flag consists of three horizontal bands of blue,

black and white. The blue color symbolizes the sky, the

black - is a land and white - the color of purity and hope.

June, 14 - National day of mourning

A national day of mourning is a day marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace.

They are designated by that nation‘s government. Such days include those marking the death or funeral of a renowned individual or individuals from that country or elsewhere, or the anniversary of such a death or deaths.

June, 23 - Victory DayJune, 23 is the Day of Estonian

victory in the War of Independence (1918-1920), in which

the young republic defended the right to independence in battle with

the German Landeswehr and the Bolsheviks.

June, 24 – Midsummer Day

Celebration of the summer solstice - a pagan holiday, the shortest night of the

year in various forms celebrated throughout Europe. The common

features of the celebrations the folding of the fires, divination.

August

August 20 – Day of Restoration of Independence

August 20 marks Estonia nation

al holiday - Day of Restoration of

Independence. The charges stemmed from the dramatic events of August

1991, when in the Soviet Union was a coup

attempt that led to the restoration of

independence of the three Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and

Lithuania.

European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism

European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Stalinism and

Nazism - Europe-wide day of remembrance of victims of Stalinism

and the totalitarian ideologies of National Socialism, celebrated on

August 23, the date of signing of the secret additional protocol to the Treaty

on the Non-Aggression between Germany and the

Soviet Union.

September

September 1 - The Day of Knowledge

September 1 - holiday of the New Academic year, especially for students, teachers

and staff. Traditionally on this day in schools are ceremonial line, dedicated to the

academic year. With great solemnity, met at the school first graders.

October

October, 5 – Teacher’s day

У меня нет фотографий наших учителей во врема поздравления , а хотелось бы именно наших учителей запечатлить в презентации.

From 1990 teachers in Estonia have more free days . Older

students play teachers and school managers and replace

them at work. Many students give teachers gifts and

flowers.

November, 2 - All Souls 'Day

All Souls Day is celebrated every year on November 2, followed by All Saints' Day. In contrast to the All Saints' Day, it´s, first of

all, remembrance of deceased loved ones. On this day in different countries On this day in different countries people used to go to the cemetery and clear graves, bring flowers,

light candles and even have some meal there.

November, 10 – “Mardipäev”

St. Martin's Day or St. Martin's Day of Soulsis still traditional folk date. In particular, we

know this by “mardisantide” running around. In the 20th century “Mardipäev” was celebrated as the result

of young men associated with the sacred initiations or the acceptance of men in the

community. Typical ”mardid” were dressed in the dark clothes,  they come over as the mark of

happiness. Previously, it was a day when souls were coming back home.

November, 11 – Father’s Day

"Father's Day" in Estonia is

celebrated since 1992 - on the second Sunday of November. Estonian Kindergartens prepare

thematic events, children make

homemade cards with fathers portraits and give them gifts. In

schools children make concerts for their

daddies.

November, 25 - “Kadripäev”

Estonians “Kadripäev” is old and rich traditional date of return of

happiness. For over a hundred years

“kadrisantid” masked and talented children and young men walk and play jokes on

Estonian streets .

December

December, 24 - Christmas Eve

Christmas period begins on December 24 with the Vigil of Christmas and ends on Sunday after

the Epiphany, celebrated January 6. This period is devoted to one of the

main great holidays - Christmas. December 24, characterized in

such astronomical phenomenon as the shortest day and the longest night.

December, 25 – Christmas Day

Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis

of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, attending church, sharing

meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

December, 26 – Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December. Many people stay at

home with their families.

Estonia

Used links :

http://www.calend.ru/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_ho

lidays_in_Estonia

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/easter/foods.html

http://www.folklore.ee/Berta/index.php