THE FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

[Teresa Antón]

APRIL FOOL’S DAY
It’s a day celebrated in various countries on 1 April, it’s one of the most light-hearted of the year. It’s a festival dedicated to joked. The day is marked by the comission of hoaxes and other practical jokes on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on a fool’s errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the stupid. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it a .celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.
CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de Mayo (fifth of May) is a Mexican national holiday celebrated on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. It’s celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. For the most part, the celebrations combine food, music and dancing.
ANZAC DAY
Anzac day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Amy Corps. It commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. The day begins with the solemn and Spiritual service (Ceremony Alba) in which a trumpet solo touches the touch of retreat, this is followed by two minutes of silence, which is concluded with the reveille. Later in the day take place veterans parades in all areas, from cities to the smallest villages.
GROUNDHOG DAY
The most famous is held in the town of Punxsutawney, located in the State of Pennsylvania, a small population were each February 2nd attempt to predict the length of winter by the behavior of a marmot, the famous groundhog Phil, immortalized by movie Groundhog Day.
VALENTINE'S DAY
Valentine’s Day is on annual commemoration held on 14 February celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. It’s traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, ofering confectionery, and sending greeting cards. Western typically, it goes back to Ancient Greece and Rome, Valentine’s Day has spread to other countries, like Japan, China and Taiwan.
EASTER
Easter is the central religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. The Passion of Christ, or Easter Week, known in Spain as Semana Santa is the most important celebration in the country. The festivities begin with the Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and end with Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday). It’s a celebration of life itself and the whole country come alive. The Catholic Church in Spain is passionate about Easter celebrations.
LAS POSADAS
A wonderful Mexican Christmas tradition, las posadas literally translates in English as “the inns” or “the lodgings” and symbolizes the Biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. The nine-day celebration lasts from December 16 to Christmas Eve and includes a candle-lit procession of children and parents reenacting Mary and Joseph’s journey through Bethlehem.
TET NGUYEN DAN
Tet Nguyen Dan is a Vietnamese festival beginning on the first day of the first lunar month. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and the arrival of spring. Tet is the most popular festival in Vietnam and artifacts suggest that it has been celebrated since at least 500 B.C.E. The exact origin is unknown. The goal of the Tet celebration is to begin the year right. On the eve of the three day festival, houses and ancestral graves are thoroughly cleaned and ceremonial meal is prepared. Customs associated with other new year celebrations including paying off debts, giving gifts, resolving conflicts in relationships, and wearing new clothes are common during Tet. Other more unique activities include firecrackers, boat races, swinging contests, and dragon dancing. The traditional dragon dance is meant to spread good health and wealth.