1. CZECH HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

1st January = New Year‘s Day = the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar Beginning of the independent CZ (1993 – the separation of Czechoslovakia)

Czech Easter In czech ,,Velikonoce“ = Veliké noci Welcoming of spring Important Christian holiday – celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ Easter eggs (hand-painted,..) is the most recognizable symbol of CZ Pussywillow (kočičky), whip (pomladit – make younger anyone who is whipped with them) Lamb, Bunny Rabbit, Chicken The Days Before Easter Sunday: Ugly Wednesday, Green Thursday, Good Friday and White Saturday

30th April = the burning of the witches Czechs used to believe that the power of witches would weaken as the weather got warmer Czechs gather to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long

1st May 8th May An international day of labour Nowadays = the day of love (lovers kiss under blooming cherry trees) the epic poem ,,Máj“ (K.H.M.) 8th May =celebrated the end of WWII.

6th July = execution of Jan HUS (1415) Jan Hus, the religious reformer, was burned at the stake in Kostnice JH= Priest and reformer Because of his death was the Hussite wars of the 15th century

28th September 28th October St. Wenceslas Day, the day of Czech Statehood 28th October Independent Czechoslovak State Day The Czechoslovak state declared independence (at the end of the 1.WW in 1918) The first president: TGM

2nd November 5th November All Souls' Day People visit the graves of family members and relatives to light candles, lay flowers and wreaths and spend a few moments Reminding deceased (neboštík) 5th November Saint Nicholas Day All three characters (Nicholas, Angel, Devil) walk the streets, stopping children and asking them if they were good in the past year - most kids say yes and sing a song -  they are then rewarded with sweets, candy or other treats

7th November = The Velvet Revolution MEANING AND SENSE: Reminder closure of Czech schools by the Nazis in 1939 events from November 17, 1989 OUTCOME: 1. Collapse of communist regime in Czechoslovakia Restoration of democracy Breakup of Czechoslovakia Integration of both countries into EU and NATO Dismantling of the planned economy and privatisation of publicly owned industry

24th – 26th December Christmas In Christian traditions – celebration of the birth of baby Jesus tree is decorated with traditional Czech Christmas ornaments, preparations are made for the most festive dinner of the year (carp, potato salad) A traditional Christmas bread A lots of traditions like cutting an apple, singing carols the Christmas Feast (25., Boží hod vánoční) and St. Stephen's Day (26., Sv. Štěpán)