Customs and Traditions
In the course of the year we have many opportunities for celebrations. Most we celebrate the birthday, name day, wedding and baptism of one of our
relatives or acquaintances. At this occasion the guest of honour receives presents, flowers, candies or other presents.
On
January 1st, people in this country celebrate the New Year’s Day.
On February 14th is the
Valentine’s Day. It’s the lover’s day. On this day, young people send Valentine card to a person of opposite sex. Their cards are funny and
have contents such as „I’ll be your sweetheart and I’ll be your Valentine“.
St. Patrick’s Day – March
17th – this Irish tradition also penetrated the USA. So wear green and go to have a fun. In some places there are
colourful parades.
On April 1st it is the All fool’s Day. On this day people make some jokes.
In April
is also Easter holiday. It is a spring feast of Christian Church. Good Friday commemorates Jesus crucifixion, while
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. The symbols of Easter are a lamb, yellow chicken and coloured eggs. On Monday in the morning
boys go around to feast. Girls give them decorated eggs because of watering.
Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 2nd
Sunday in May. On this day all mothers are honoured. This day is a special day to say „I love you mom“. A great business day for flower shops,
bakeries, gift shops, balloons and cards sending.
Father’s Day – third Sunday in June, is the day for all dads
to be remembered. Two weeks before Father’s day, all items you can imagine as presents for dads are on sale.
Independence Day
– July 4th, celebrated in USA, this day is the day that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 by Thirteen
American Colonies. It is a day of fire – crackers and fire – works, parties, dresses in national colours, decorated with national flags.
Halloween - October 31 – one whole month before Halloween people have already decorated their houses in the most scary
ways with spider webs, coffins, bats, and of course pumpkins. There are big Pumpkin patches all over in October so everybody can get at least one and
get ready for the „Trick or treat night“. Children dress up in costumes and go door to door to collect candy.
Thanksgiving
Day – the last Thursday in November, also celebrated in USA. Originally it was the day when settlers celebrated their harvest and gave
thanks to God for his bounty. In modern times it is the day when whole families get together and enjoy themselves and enjoy good food. There is
a turkey on every table so food markets compete to have the lowest price on turkey or some even give away a free turkey.
St.
Nicola’s Day –December 5th, St. Nicolas an angel and devil come to children. They have to sing a song or say a poem. Good children get
fruits and sweets and naughty children get coal and potatoes
Christmas - is one of those holidays that most people
look forward to. It is celebrated in other countries as well, with each nation keeping its own customs and folk traditions. Christmas is said to be
a holiday of calm and peace. The advent begins four weeks before Christmas Eve /24th December/, during this period we prepare for the long awaited
winter holiday. Homes are filled with the aroma of freshly baked Christmas sweets, some people make a nativity scene as the true symbol of Christmas
which represents the birth of Jesus Christ and the pilgrims who brought him gifts, Christmas markets take place and we buy freshly- cut Christmas
trees.
The typical meal for Christmas Eve dinner is fish soup, fried carp, potato salad, sweets and fruits. After dinner we go to the tree
and unwrap the presents and sing Christmas carols. At midnight people go to Midnight Mass at the nearest church. Other customs related to the
Christmas Eve are the pouring of lead into water, cutting of an apple and sending of walnut shells on the water. The 25th and the 26th December are
important holidays as well, when relatives visit each other.
New Year’s Eve, December 31st - this day means the end
of the old year and the beginning of the year new. It is celebrated very noisy and hilarious.
Zones.sk – Zóny pre každého študenta