Public holidays vary widely across Europe. Most countries take Easter and Christmas as public holidays, but some countries have holidays unique to their country. With this in mind, we thought we would take a look at some of Europe’s most unique holidays.
Austria
Austrian National Day- 26th October 2016
Austrian National Day is a public holiday which celebrates the country’s return to independence after World War II. It was first celebrated back in 1965, with memorial ceremonies across the country. Concerts are held, the Federal President goes to Mass and new recruits of the Austrian Armed Services are sworn in. It’s a patriotic day and to help both visitors and citizens understand the importance of the country’s history, museums are free to enter.
Belarus
Women’s Day & Men’s Day- 8th March/ 23rd February
In Belarus, there is no Valentine’s Day. Instead, women and men have separate holidays. On Men’s day, the men receive shaving products and socks from their mothers, wives and daughters. In return, women receive flowers, chocolates and household devices as presents on the 8th March. Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated in work, women throw a party for the men, whereas the men write poems for their female colleagues.
Belgium
Belgian National Day- 21st July
This day is a full public holiday. In Brussels particularly, there are military parades, street parties, fireworks and aerial displays from the air force. It’s a day of national pride as the country celebrates gaining political independence back in 1830. Until then, it was known as the Southern Netherlands and had been governed by other countries such as France and Spain.
Bulgaria
Culture & Literacy Day- 24th May
This public holiday is dedicated to the significance of Bulgarian language. It celebrates two brothers who essentially created the Slavic language, using it to translate the Bible and Christian teachings. They became saints and the public holiday was created. To mark the occasion, the four key branches of the church each hold their own feast. Portraits of the two brothers are displayed across the country, particularly in schools.
Czech Republic
Jan Hus Day- 6th July
Last year was the 600th anniversary of Jan Hus’ death. Jan Hus was a leader of the Protestant movement and his religious teachings helped to shape the states of Western Europe. He was later burned at the stake for ‘violation’ of the religious teachings of the Catholic church. Over a century later, over 90% of the Czech population were not Catholic, and some still followed the teachings of Hus. In Prague, the Jan Hus Day festivities commence on the 5th of July with a concert before the city is transformed into a medieval town for the 6th.
France
Bastille Day- 14th July
Bastille Day is a public holiday in France each year. It commemorates the storming of Bastille, a prison in Paris back in 1789 during the French Revolution. Today, the day is celebrated with military parades, particularly in Paris where the troops head to the Champs-Elysees, marching from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. In the day, aerial displays take place and at night, the sky is lit up with fireworks.
Germany
Day of German Unity- 3rd October
The Day of German Unity was first celebrated in 1990 after the Treaty of Unification was signed. After the second World War, Germany was divided into sections, with the city of Berlin divided into four sections. A wall was put up there to stop people from East Germany coming in. Eventually, in 1989 the wall came down and the treaty was signed, making Germany into the united country that it is.
Hungary
Saint Stephen’s Day- 20th August
Saint Stephen’s Day is Hungary’s main public holiday. It’s celebrated with a day of festivities, followed by fireworks. In Budapest, they start in the morning with the raising of the Hungarian flag and ends with fireworks over the Danube. The day remembers Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary and also the founder of the kingdom in the country. Traditionally on this day, the first bread from the new harvest is baked.
Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day- 17th March
Saint Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland. Today, his day is celebrated with parades and festivals. The festival in Dublin lasts for several days and includes walking tours, street performances and an Irish craft beer village. The day often includes a lot of drinking and is now even celebrated across the UK. The traditional colour for the day is green, which replaced blue back in the 17th century.
Malta
Commemoration of the 1919 Riot- 7th June
On the 7th June each year, Malta remembers the tragic events of the 1919 riots, known as Sette Guigno. During this time, the Maltese people revolted against the British administration that were governing the island at the time and four people died. Each year, a ceremony is held to remember the events of that day.
Netherlands
King’s Day- 27th April
This day was known as Queen’s Day until 2014, when King Willem-Alexander ascended the throne. Everybody in the country wears orange and in Amsterdam, there is certainly a party atmosphere as the Dutch, Expats and tourists join forces to celebrate. Thousands of brightly coloured boats pack out Amsterdam’s canals, but just as many people like to watch from the bridges. So, although it is a public holiday it’s certainly not a day of rest.
Will you be visiting any of these European countries for their public holidays? Let us know.
