1. 1. CZECH HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)