Holidays Around The World � february calendars

Orthodox Ash Wednesday Observed by Western Rite Orthodox Christians

Noel — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Ash Wednesday: February 29

Orthodox Ash Wednesday is a religious observance for Western Rite Orthodox Christians.

In general, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, i.e. Greek Orthodox, do not celebrate Ash Wednesday. The exception is the Orthodox Christians who follow the Western Rite. The day is celebrated the same as Western Ash Wednesday but on a different date that is 46 days before Orthodox Pascha. The same significance is given to this date; the ashes signify the fragile and humble human condition in front of God.

History of Western Rite Orthodox Ash Wednesday

Eastern Orthodox Christians do not celebrate Ash Wednesday, and the Orthodox Great Lent period begins with Clean Monday. Most Orthodox Christians follow the Byzantine Rite of liturgies that has dominated the Orthodox celebrations since the thirteenth century. From the end of the nineteenth century there were many Western Christians that converted to Orthodoxy but yet wanted to keep their ways of worship through the Roman Western Rite, and so was born the Western Rite Orthodox Churches.

Even though Orthodox, the Western Rite Churches celebrate Ash Wednesday following the customs and traditions of the Western Christians. And like these, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Great Lent period before Easter. Ash Wednesday comes from Roman times and is known to be celebrated as early as the fifth century. It was called dies cinerum (day of ashes). Well before the celebrations of Ash Wednesday were institutionalized by the Catholic Church, there were many penitents that in sign of repentance and penance would cover themselves with ashes and seek forgiveness from God for their sins.

Since Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season privileged for repentance, it was decided to be marked by a proper ritual during Mass. It starts before the Mass, when the priest blesses the Ashes which are kept from the Palms used from the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed with holy water and incense. This creates a kind of paste that then is used to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of all those attending Mass and who approach the altar to be ashed. The priest will repeat these words as he places the ashes: “Remember man that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

Western Rite Orthodox Ash Wednesday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Like the Western ritual of Ash Wednesday, the most significant tradition is the marking of a cross on the forehead of all the faithful attending the religious services on that day. These ashes are obtained from the burning of the palm leaves used during the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations and are blessed with holy water and fumigated with incense. The moment when one receives the ashes is filled with penitential meaning, as today in a symbolic way Christians follow ancient rituals when penitents would prepare themselves for Easter by bathing themselves with ashes as a sign of repentance, seeking forgiveness for their sins. Ash Wednesday is also the first day of Lent fasting. Along with prayer and alms giving, fasting is the privileged way through which Christians try to make a way of self-learning and discipline to arrive on Easter Sunday with a clean spirit to receive and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

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Brunei Joyously Celebrates National Day

Noel — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:55 +0000

National Day: February 23

National Day is a public holiday in Brunei.

Brunei, an oil-rich tropical country located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia, is set to celebrate its twenty-sixth National Day on February 23, 2010. The Bruneians, dedicated to maintaining a strong sense of culture and history, mark their full independence from Britain with numerous events and historical presentations each National Day.

History of National Day in Brunei

For 96 years, Brunei was a protectorate of Britain. It’s believed that the first British contact with the people of the region came in 1839, when British explorer James Brooke arrived to the city of Kuching, Sarawak, then a part of the Sultanate of Brunei. Upon his arrival, he found that the settlement was fighting an uprising against the Sultan of Brunei. Brooke was hesitant to help, but upon returning again in 1941, he agreed to aid the Sultan’s head of government, Rajah Muda Hassim.

Rajah Hassim, who had promised Brooke control of Sarawak in vague overtures in 1839, made similar promises to Brooke. However, the situation in Sarawak worsened as a cruel local tribal chief, Pangeran Macota, threatened both the wellbeing of the citizens and of Brooke. Additionally, Rajah Hassim made little effort to make good on the promises made to Brooke.

Things came to a head when on September 24, 1841, Brooke and 200 loyalists armed themselves and demanded audience with the Rajah. Brooke declared that if the Rajah didn’t turn over control of Sarawak to Brooke, Brooke would be forced to attack Macota and take control himself. Rajah Hassim quickly drew up the documents making Brooke governor of Sarawak. He later was appointed as Rajah by the Sultan on August 18, 1842.

Conflict between the Sultan and Brooke led to the defeat of the Sultan in 1943. The British attacked the Sultan again in 1946, and the Sultan later ceded more territory to the British with hopes of peace. These events led to further British control of the region until finally Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888. As decades passed and prosperity grew, control slow was wrested from Britain. A new constitution in 1959 made Brunei a self-governing state, leaving only matters of defense to Britain.

With much fanfare, Brunei’s independence was finally gained on January 1, 1984, though British protection didn’t end until February 23. Thus, on February 23, 1984, the first National Day was celebrated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

Brunei’s National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

On February 23, 2010, Brunei will celebrate its twenty-sixth National Day. Like most years, the celebrations are colorful and raucous. Unlike last year, however, the government of Brunei has decreed that there will be no traditional field performances. “We will only have parades by the private and government sectors, associations, organizations, colleges and other higher educational institutions,” said a representative of the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports.

New logos are created for the National Day festivities, and the logo for 2010 is multi-faceted. In addition to the new logo, the giant version of the Brunei national flag, hoisted on February 7, will be honored. Miniature flags are to be distributed as well.

In addition to historical presentations and public displays, the people of Brunei typically assemble for mass prayers and readings of Islamic scripture in mosques throughout the country.

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Ash Wednesday Observed by Christians

Noel — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:46 +0000

Ash Wednesday: March 9

Ash Wednesday is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. The holiday’s name exists because on this day, Christians attending Mass will be marked by a cross of ash on the forehead as a sign of penance. The date changes according to the date set for Lent, and it comes 46 days before, not counting Sundays.

History of Ash Wednesday

The tradition of celebrating Ash Wednesday comes from Roman times. It is known to be celebrated as early as the fifth century, and it was called dies cinerum (day of ashes). Well before the celebrations of Ash Wednesday were institutionalized by the Catholic Church, there were many penitents that in sign of repentance and penance would cover themselves with ashes and seek forgiveness from God for their sins. As the period of Lent reflects a time period focused on repentance, it was decided to that a proper ritual should be used during first Mass.

Before Mass begins, the priest blesses the ashes, which are created from the palms used from the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed with holy water and incense; this creates a kind of paste that then is used to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of all those attending Mass who wish to receive it. The priest will repeat the words “remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return” as he places the ash on the forehead.

Ash Wednesday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Since Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the churches are decorated with purple colors in penance. Fasting must be observed, and privilege must be given to prayer and self examination. The traditions and customs do not vary much from country to country. Ash Wednesday isn’t celebrated as much today as it falls in the shadow of the celebrations of the preceding extravagant celebrations of Mardi Gras, Carnival, or Maundy Tuesday.

On this day, Christian communities gather in a special worship service to receive the ashes on their foreheads. It is a day that traditional meals being served do not include meat. Fasting begins when only one full meal and two snacks can be observed during the day.

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Orthodox Christians Celebrate Orthodox Clean Monday

Noel — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:44 +0000

Orthodox Clean Monday: February 15

Orthodox Clean Monday is a religious observance for Orthodox Christians all over the world.

Clean Monday is the first day of the Great Lent that precedes Easter in Orthodox Christian Churches. It is like Ash Wednesday for Western Churches. The name gives away the intentions of the day: to leave all sinful behavior behind and enter the Great Lent period with a clean heart, ready to celebrate Easter.

History of Orthodox Clean Monday

As early as the first century, Easter was celebrated and Lent was observed as a period of preparation for the great celebrations of Easter. Clean Monday became a natural celebration on its own by all Christians. Considering the time ahead of Lent and all the sacrifices to be undertaken during the following weeks, the day of Clean Monday became a day to kick start all that was about to come. It was a day of preparation for Lent and for everyone to gradually enter into the spirit of the season.

Fasting was observed and no meat was to be eaten, leading to traditional dishes based on fish or shellfish. The path wasn’t easy, and soon the church recommended harsh means to attain the correct way to reach Easter with a soul ready to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus: fasting, almsgiving, self denial, penitence and simplicity. Clean Monday took on all of these facets and became the first stepping stone to start the Great Lent period.

Orthodox Clean Monday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Clean Monday is a public holiday in many Orthodox Christian countries. In Greece it is a day to celebrate with the family and go to the beach or prepare picnics. Kite flying is very common on this day and marks the beginning of spring. Greek children make Kyra Sarakosti (Lady Lent), a paper doll with seven legs that stands for the seven weeks of Lent. One leg will be cut for each week that passes until Easter.

Also in Greece, in Galaxidi, people throw at each other colored flour in the streets of the city. In the end, everything is less than clean, giving new meaning to Clean Monday. This festival is known as the Aleuromountzouromata. In Tyrnavos the Lent season is turned upside down with a festival called Dirty Monday, with roots to another festival dedicated to Dionysius. During the festival it is common to drink wine from phallic shaped cups, and everyone tells sexual jokes.

Aside from the enthusiastic Greek Orthodox celebrations, all over the world Orthodox Christians celebrate this day in a more moderate way and begin to observe fasting and simpler ways to celebrate Lent.

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Liberation Day Celebrated in Afghanistan

Noel — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:13 +0000

Liberation Day: February 15

Liberation Day is a public holiday in Afghanistan.

Liberation Day in Afghanistan is celebrated on the 26th day of the month of Dalwo in the Afghani calendar and is celebrated on February 15. It was declared a holiday in 2005 and became effective from 2007 onwards as a celebration of the date of the exit of the last Soviet soldier from Afghanistan in 1989.

History of Liberation Day in Afghanistan

On May 1, 1978, Nur Mohammad Taraki took control of Afghanistan with a coup and renamed the country to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Many people welcomed the changes brought by the new secular government, but the more traditional religious conservatives were not that happy and favored Islamic law. By 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter started to fund the forces in Afghanistan against the pro-Soviet government.

On December 24, 1979, the Soviets, citing the 1978 Treaty of Friendship, decided to send 100,000 troops into Afghanistan. At the height of the Cold War, the Soviets supported the Marxist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Islamist Mujahideen Resistance. The initial Soviet deployment of the 40th army in Afghanistan began on December 24, 1979 under the leadership of Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev. After nine years of bloody conflict, the final troop withdrawal started on May 15, 1988, and it ended on February 15, 1989 under Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Afghanistan’s Liberation Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

In Afghanistan, Liberation Day is celebrated as a political holiday, with political speeches from the president and government transmitted nationally on televisions to boost national pride. Many also celebrate Liberation Day as a religious holiday since the end of the Soviet occupation ended the secular ideas from the Marxist government. The Sharia Law was reinstituted by the new government, founding the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

As most people in Afghanistan on this day attend religious services in mosques, it isn’t uncommon in the interior of the country that warlords familiar with the fights against the Soviets will parade their arsenal through the villages as celebration of the Mujahideen victory against the powerful army of the Soviet Union.

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Mexico Celebrates Constitution Day

Noel — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:50:51 +0000

Constitution Day: February 5

Constitution day is observed as a public national holiday in Mexico.

The 5th of February marks the celebration day in honor of Mexico’s Constitution which was drafted during the Mexican Revolution on 1917 by Santiago Queretaro. The constitution is officially known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States or the Fundamental Law of Magna Carta.

History of Mexico’s constitution

From the time it achieved liberty from Spain in 1810, Mexico was able to outline quite a number of constitutions. However during this early stage of regaining its independence, the country has suffered from a lot of economic instability and downfall. Unemployment was very rampant, affecting almost 50% of the country’s male population. It’s during these stages in Mexico’s history that the people went through racial chaos and disorder that economic progress was just so impossible. With Mexico’s determination to rise back and to get on the right economic track, the country never stopped in reshaping and re-drafting the constitution.

On 1824, the first ever Mexican Constitution promoting absolute sovereignty was passed. It was a regime based on the United States’ government, which was for the people and elected by the people.

The Constitution of 1957 was proclaimed as they battle against the attack of the French nationals and Emperor Maximiliano de Hasburgo to prevent foreigners from ruling the land.

The Constitution of Mexico was organized into 4 territories and 19 states up to the present day. One of its significant bills was the authorization and rights given to citizens to participate in Catholicism which is the country’s official religion. The rights of the press and media and the freedom of speech were also given much attention on their constitution.

On 1916, a project to reform the constitution of 1857 was presented into congress by the first leader of the constitutional army and in charge of the administrative branch, Venustiano Carranza. After a number of changes and reforms, it was on February 5th 1917 that the official Magna Carta was finally presented, thus the Constitution Day.

Constitution Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year, the Mexicans look back and reminisce on their historical journey that made them one whole nation today. This is a time for Mexico to hold its head up high and be proud that it is unique and indivisible. As a public holiday, the people celebrate with parade and special gatherings all over the nation.

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San Marino Celebrates St. Agatha Day

Noel — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:08:41 +0000

St. Agatha Day in San Marino: February 5

Saint Agatha Day is observed as a public national holiday in San Marino

February 5 is the Feast of Saint Agatha celebrated by the Catholic community and is considered as a public national holiday annually observed by the people of San Marino. Saint Agatha is also well-known as the patron saint of bell-founders, bakers, breast cancer patients and nurses.

History of St. Agatha Day

Saint Agatha was born at Catania, Sicily and she was among the women being commemorated by name during the Canon of the Mass. Agatha came from an affluent and important family and started her dedication to God when she was in her early teenage years. Because she committed her life to God, she rejected a lot of men who came by and wanted to marry her.

Quintianus, one of her admirers was challenged to win her heart and wealth so he had her arrested thinking that Agatha might concede when put under suffering and abuse but he failed. All that Agatha did when she was arrested was prayed and remained faithful to her consecration to God.

One of the most painful tortures she underwent was the amputation of her breasts that is why she was often depicted to the paintings and sculptures as the saint holding a platter with her cut-off breasts on it. Agatha died in the prison approximately 251 AD during the reign of Decius as the Roman emperor.

St. Agatha Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The feast of Saint Agatha is celebrated by the people of San Marino with a procession going round the village followed by a holy mass every 5th of February. The feast day continues to become a big celebration each year and part of the celebration is a culminating mass for the saint celebrated by the church.

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Burundi Observes Unity Day

Noel — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:56 +0000

Unity Day: February 5

Unity Day is a public holiday in Burundi.

In the late 1950s, Burundi sought to separate itself from Belgium. During the independence movement, members of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes clashed in neighboring Rwanda, spilling over into Burundi. This sparked decades of large-scale conflict between members of the two tribes. With focus on a new constitution of unity in 1992, Unity Day was born in Burundi and celebrated for the first time with hopes of finally bringing the tribal conflict to an end.

History of Unity Day in Burundi

The people of Burundi wanted independence from Belgium, and in 1959, then leader Mwami Mwambutsa IV championed the movement. Yet late in the year, violence was sparked with a disagreement between Hutu teachers and Tutsi military personnel. Both Tutsi and Hutu in both Burundi and Rwanda fled across borders but were caught in the crossfire as Hutu in Rwanda killed Tutsi and Tutsi took vengeance on Hutus in Burundi.

The country went on to claim independence on July 1, 1962, setting up equal representation in the new government between Hutu and Tutsi. Yet the violence spread farther as Hutu forces took control of the country, forcing out Tutsi representation for fear of death through ethnic persecution.

After the king, Mwami Mwambutsa IV, refused to recognize the new Hutu prime minister in 1965, tensions spread. A series of coup attempts, assassinations, and military takeovers shifted power back and forth between the two groups over the next two decades, leading to the death of tens of thousands of Hutu and Tutsi. In 1987, Major Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, overthrew the military regime and slowly set about to rectify a number of issues within the government.

This culminated in the form of a new constitution on March 13, 1992 with a strong focus on national unity but with the recognition of the great cultural and ethnic diversity found within the Burundian population. Under the new constitution, registration for political parties was allowed but without any identification with ethnic, religious, or gender groups, a move made to strip some of the inherent biases and discrimination found at the time.

This sense of national unity found during the creation of the constitution led to the celebration of the first Unity Day in 1992. With 88 percent of people voting for a referendum that would abolish hatred along ethnic lines, Buyoya declared every February 5 then on to be celebrated as Unity Day.

Burundi’s Unity Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Opinions vary among the citizens of Burundi regarding the effectiveness of Unity Day and attempts to bring Hutu and Tutsi together. Unity Day in 2009 held specific relevancy, however, after a peace deal was brokered between the government and the final active rebel group Forces for National Liberation on December 4, 2008, marking a tentative end to a long period of conflict.

Sandrine Irankunda, a Burundian vendor, told Reuters on 2009’s Unity Day: “I can see that things have changed compared to the last few years, because there were divisions between Burundians. But now, there is more unity.”

But businesswoman Abiba Nduwimana disagreed, telling Reuters: “Ethnic hate between people has reduced; that’s the only thing I can say that has changed. But otherwise, we still have the same problems.”

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Sri Lanka Independence Day Celebration

Noel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:48:42 +0000

Sri Lanka’s Independence Day: February 4

Independence Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Sri Lanka

February 4 is the official celebration day of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day from the United Kingdom in 1948. It is considered as a major national holiday in the country.

History of Sri Lanka and its Independence

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka or popularly known as Sri Lanka which is located in the Indian Ocean and is a part of South East Asia. Before 1972, the country was known as Ceylon where it has become a colony of British for more than a century.

The Europeans saw a big potential in Sri Lanka as a perfect place for plantation. And during the World War II, it also became one of the most important Allied military bases. Sri Lanka has encountered a lot of National struggles under the British colony but because of the people’s determination to regain freedom, they had fought for their county’s right and on February 4th of 1948, the country has won their independence over the United Kingdom. The country’s first elected Prime Minister was Don Stephen Senananyake.

Sri Lanka Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The Independence Day celebration of Sri Lanka has always been observed and regarded as a very special national event celebrated with ceremonies, parades, flag-hoisting, pageants and many other activities organized and funded by national officials and even non-governmental institutions.

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Foundation Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam

Noel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:09:23 +0000

Foundation Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam: February 3

Founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam is celebrated as a public holiday.

Every 3rd of February, Vietnam celebrates the foundation of its Communist Party. It is presently the only legal and ruling political party of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Communist Party is popularly known to the people as “Dang ta” which means “our Party” in Vietnamese.

History of the Communist Party of Vietnam

On February 1930, Ho Chi Minh decided to institute in Hong Kong a Vietnamese Communist Party along with the many other exiles residing in China. Right after the implementation of its first plenum, the party name was changed into Indochinese Communist Party.

The party platform had several proposals which were projected while there was economic despair. Some of the proposals included the organization of Vietnamese independence and the development of a workers’, peasants’ and soldiers’ government. They also demanded for the abolishment of public debts, suppression of taxes, and eight-hour work day, concentration on education, agriculture and many more.

The formation of the First National Party Congress was held behind closed doors in Macau while Cominterm congress was being held. Shortly after, on 1945, the party was dissolved to cover up the Communist relationship. And it was again re-founded later on during the Second National Party Congress in 1951 as the Vietnam Workers’ Party. It was only until the Fourth National Party Congress that it was merged with People’s Revolutionary party of South Vietnam thus the Communist Party of Vietnam was formed.

Founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam Traditions, Customs and Activities

Vietnam pays tribute to this special day as one way of observing their historical maturity. Regarded as a public national holiday, a lot of politicians and non-governmental leaders pay tribute to the foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam by holding different programs and activities all throughout the country.

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