Holidays Around The World � september 8

Liechtenstein Observes Feast Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:14:18 +0000

Liechtenstein Nativity of the Virgin Mary Date: September 8

Feast Day or the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is celebrated as a public holiday.

Liechtenstein is a catholic country with a population of 35,000. It has a great tradition of celebrating catholic holidays with great enthusiasm. In the same way, it celebrates the birth of Virgin Mary as a public holiday on September 8th every year. The day has great religious value as it is directly related to the birth of Christ.

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Day History

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated at least by the sixth century, when St. Romanos the Melodist, an Eastern Christian who composed many of the hymns used in the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox liturgies, composed a hymn for the feast. The feast spread to Rome in the seventh century, but it was a couple more centuries before it was celebrated throughout the West.

The source for the story of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal gospel written about A.D. 150. From it, we learn the names of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, as well as the tradition that the couple was childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive. (Many of the same details appear also in the later apocryphal Gospel of the Nativity of Mary.)

The traditional date of the feast, September 8, falls exactly nine months after the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Perhaps because of its close proximity to the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not celebrated today with the same solemnity as the Immaculate Conception. It is, nonetheless, a very important feast, because it prepares the way for the birth of Christ.

Liechtenstein Nativity of the Virgin Mary day Customs and Activities

Although, the day has lost its glory in todays world but people of Liechtenstein celebrate the day in a very unique manner. As depicted by the name, they celebrate the Day as a Feast Day with delicious meals and drinks. There are religious readings throught the day in all the churches and apart from that, people make Mother’s Cake which is enjoyed by whole family.

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Tahiti Observes Internal Autonomy Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:01:05 +0000

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day Date: September 8

Internal Autonomy Day is a public holiday in Tahiti.

Ironically, Internal Autonomy Day commemorates June 29, 1880, when king Pomare V was deposed and French Polynesia became a full French colony. But there is a political controvesy regarding the actual date of the festival, which is also celbrated on September 8, when the territory achieved a degree of internal autonomy. Tavini huiraatira members note that June 29 is the date in 1880 when Tahiti’s King Pomare V gave France right of sovereignty of his dependencies.

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day History

Formerly known as the Society Islands; the main island is Tahiti, an overseas country of France. Tahiti is the most prominent of the islands. Missionaries came to Tahiti in 1797. In 1815 the Tahitian chief Pomare II converted to Christianity. In 1842 Tahiti became a French protectorate and in 1880 it became a colony.

The Gambier group became a protectorate in 1844 and a colony in 1881. Rimatara and Rurutu became protectorates and colonies of France in 1889 and 1900, respectively. The Tuamotu Islands became dependencies of Tahiti in 1847 and part of the colony in 1880. The chiefs of the Marquesas Islands ceded sovereignty to France in 1842. The islands were originally part of the French colony of Oceania. During the Second World War, they sided with the Free French government in exile on 2 September 1940.

French Polynesia was far from the front lines in the Second World War. On 27 October 1946, French Polynesia became an overseas territory of France. A long-lasting independence movement gained a partial concession when France granted limited autonomy to French Polynesia in 1977 and increased in 1984. On 28 March 2003, French Polynesia became an overseas collectivity of France and on 27 February 2004, it became an overseas country of France. The economy is based on tourism, farming, and fishing. An elected territorial assembly exists. French Polynesia also elects two members of the French National Assembly and one member of the French Senate.

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day Customs and Activities

Pro-autonomy parties celebrate Autonomy day on June 29, but Oscar Temaru’s pro-independence Tavini huiraatira claims this date should be a “Mourning Day”. Pro-autonomy parties announced that they would always celebrate Autonomy day on June 29 in Papeete. A ceremony is held at the “Pont de l’Est”, a rotary on the north side of Papeete with a monument in honor of French Polynesia’s internal autonomy relationship with France. All major pro-autonomy leaders participate in this event, including opposition leader and members of his Tahoeraa huiraatira party. June 29 is the date in 1984 when French Polynesia’s organic law approved by the French Parliament took effect, giving the overseas community, formerly known as a territory, greater internal autonomy while remaining as part of the French Republic. But for Oscar Temaru’s Tavini huiraatira, June 29 is a “Mourning Day.”

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Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:51:28 +0000

Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day Date: September 8

Our Lady of Meritxell Day is a religious holiday in Andorra.

One of the most deeply-rooted traditions in Andorra is Our Lady of Meritxell Day – Patron Saint of Andorra, celebrated on 8 September every year since 1873. The celebration begins on the eve of that day with the Vetlla de la Verge. Like every year, the sanctuary opens its doors to welcome pilgrims who come to pay homage to Our Lady of Meritxell.

Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day History

Meritxell’s Sanctuary is made up of two churches: the old sanctuary and the new temple. The sanctuary is Romanesque, reformed and extended in the 17th century. It was destroyed by a fire on Our Lady of Meritxell Day in 1972. It currently holds the permanent exhibition Meritxell Memòria. In the late 12th century, on January 6, a wild rose in bloom was found by villagers from Meritxell going to Mass in Canillo. It was out of season and at its base was found a statue of the Virgin and Child. The statue was placed in the Canillo church. However, the statue was found under the same wild rose the next day.

The statue was taken to the church of Encamp. However, as before, the statue was found under the same wild rose the next day. As in similar legends elsewhere, the villagers of Meritxell took this as a sign and decided to build a new chapel in their town after they found an open space miraculously untouched by the winter snows. The exhibition reflects the feelings and memories of the celebrations and processions that took place before the fire. Some objects that survived the flames are also displayed, such as a forged steel grille from the 17th century or the sanctuary bell. The new sanctuary was designed by the Catalan architect Ricard Bofill in 1976. Here you can find a reproduction of the Romanesque virgin as well as sculptures of the seven patron saints of the parish churches in Andorra.

Andorra Our Lady of Meritxell Day Customs and Activities

Pilgrims from every corner of Andorra start off early in the morning and head towards the sanctuary to begin the celebration of the procession with their family or friends. Different
events take place that day, such as the Aurora Mass or the Young Mass, after which the first pilgrims enjoy a mid-morning snack all together. At midday there is a mass celebrated together with Joan Enric Vives i Sicília, episcopal co-prince of Andorra, and all the priests of the country. Pilgrims take part and politicians from Andorra are also present in the mass. The mass ends with the pilgrims singing traditional poems and paying homage to the Virgin. When the mass is over, there is a sardana dance in the cloister of Meritxell. In the afternoon there is a traditional concert by the Petits Cantors of Andorra National Choir. The procession of torches which goes along the sanctuary premises. At the end, there is cake and chocolate for everyone.

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Malta Honors Our Lady of Victories Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:45:57 +0000

Our Lady of Victories Date: September 8

Our Lady of Victories is a Public Holiday celebrated in Malta.

Our Lady of Victories – a remembrance ceremony in Valletta to celebrate the lifting of the 1565 barricade against the Turks, the surrender of the French in 1800 and the end of the barricade of the Axis powers in 1943. The customary multihued and keenly-contested boat race, or regatta, is also held at the Grand Harbor on this day. Our Lady of Victories is also known as the Festa of the Nativity of Our Lady or simply Victory Day. There is patron saint festival held in the parish churches of the following towns on this day too: Naxxar, Mellieha, Senglea and Xaghra on Gozo.

Our Lady of Victories History

Our Lady of Victories was built in 1656. It is known as a juspatronatus, that is, the noble family that owned the surrounding land had the right to nominate the parish priest, or rector, who would look after the church. This privilege was held by the D’Amico Inguanez family of Mdina (Imdina). The titular painting was done by Pereira.

In 1965, the Parish was put under the pastoral care of the Paulist Missionaries, a community of priests and brothers, established in Malta in 1910, with the aim of going to mission lands and of helping Maltese emigrants. The first member of this congregation to become Parish Priest at Horsley Park was Fr Claude Borg MSSP. In 1963, the feast of Our Lady of Victories was organized for the first time. The first year a small statue of Our Lady was used for the procession.

Later on the statue of Our Lady of Victories, which is used in St Mary’s Cathedral for the Maltese feast, was brought over for the Horsley Park procession. In September of 1967 a new statue of Our Lady of Victories was ordered for Horsley Park Parish. The Feast of Our Lady of Victories became a cultural event and many people from far and wide used to attend. In the first years, the procession with the statue of Our Lady of Victories used to leave the church, turn left onto Walgrove road, left onto Redmayne road and back along Walworth road.

Our Lady of Victories Day Customs and Activities

Other than Malta, this day is also popular in UK – An all day event organized under the auspices of the Malta High Commission in London: Maltese Fair at Westminster Cathedral Hall in the morning (at about 10.00am), Solemn Mass in the afternoon (about 2.30pm) followed by Street Procession with the Statue of Our Lady of Victories, (il-Bambina), with brass band and fireworks. In the evening the celebrations will continue with a Gala Dinner & Dance, during which, the cabaret will include some top Maltese entertainers brought from Malta especially for this occasion. This is an event that no true Maltese should miss! Over the years many Maltese participated in this festivity that is growing in popularity among the Maltese Community. Everyone is invited to attend and demonstrate their devotion to Our Lady, Mary Help of Christians.

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Macedonia Independence Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:35:11 +0000

Macedonia Independence Day Date: September 8

Independence Day is a public holiday in Macedonia

The Independence touched the country of Macedonia on 8th September, 1991 when it freed itself from the hands of the Yugoslavia. For Macedonian, it is a great day to remember by the citizens of the country as the day gives them the assurance of freedom. Macedonian Independence Day is also celebrated as the National Day of the country, on this day all the people take pride and with a positive attitude move forward to overcome all challenges.

History of Macedonia Independence Day

The name “Macedonia” is the oldest existing name of a country on the continent of Europe. The history of Macedonia gives us an over view from the time when that old European civilization flourished in Macedonia between 7000 and 3500 BC to the time of the Macedonian partition till they got their independence.

On 8th September, 1991 a referendum was held establishing its independence from Yugoslavia, under the name of the Republic of Macedonia. Few minor changes to its border with Yugoslavia were agreed upon to resolve problems of the demarcation line between the two countries. In the Kosovo War in 1999 some 360,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo took refuge in the country, and later fought for the independence for the Albanian-populated areas of the Republic. Finally with NATO’s intervention peace was restored and the government agreed to devolve greater political power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority with the Albanians recognized all Macedonian institutions.

The country was officially recognized as a European Union candidate state in 2005, under the reference “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. On 8th September, 1991 over 95.5% of the citizens voted for independence of the Republic Macedonia. The people’s will for an independent state was confirmed with the declaration of the referendum on September 18, 1991 at the Macedonian Parliament. Finally on 25th September, 1991 the declaration was adopted for Independence at the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament.

Next the constitution of Macedonia was adopted on 17th November, 1991. This phase of Macedonian history is referred to as the ‘Partitioned Macedonia’, with the wider region of Macedonia getting divided between the Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia following the two Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. The territory of the present-day Republic of Macedonia had no administrative autonomy and was then named ‘Južna Srbija’ (Southern Serbia) or ‘Stara Srbija’ (Old Serbia).

Macedonia Independence Day Customs and Activities

The Macedonian people will celebrate their 15th Independence Day coming September 2008. The first time the people gathered at Macedonia Square was to celebrate the successful referendum at which the Macedonian citizens voted for independent and sovereign state. Since then the place holds important significance for the people. The people with their diverse, dynamic and creative mind celebrate this day with lots of funfair and pleasure. Besides all, on this day Macedonian people Come and eat some ethnic Macedonian food, attend several cultural and historic displays, meet other fellow Macedonians and above all have great time.

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