Holidays

HOLIDAYS


We follow the liturgical year and celebrate secular holidays such as Independence Day, Midsummer, and other important events. 

 

Celebrations are important partly because they give us common cultural values and partially because they constitute a welcome break in the trot of everyday life.

Calendar

What is a Holiday?

A holiday is a day or period meant for celebrating festivals or engaging in leisure activities. Public authorities establish these holidays, varying from state to state or region to region. Religious organizations also create religious holidays for their members, often observed as public holidays in countries with a religious majority. Some religious holidays, like Christmas, have become secularized by some or all of those who follow them. Apart from secularization, many holidays have become commercialized due to industry growth.


Holidays can be themed celebrations or simply days of rest from work, such as vacations or school breaks. The celebration of the New Year has been a traditional holiday across various cultures for at least four millennia. Typically, these holidays celebrate the last day of the year and the new year's arrival in a calendar system. Modern cultures using the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. However, other calendar systems have their own New Year's celebrations, such as the Chinese New Year and Vietnamese Tet. New Year's Day is the most common public holiday, observed by all countries using the Gregorian calendar except Israel.


Secular Versus Unixplorian

Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday worldwide due to its association with Christianity. It is recognized as a public holiday in numerous countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia and is celebrated by over 2 billion people. Although Christmas has religious origins, it is also widely celebrated secularly by non-Christians. It has become a universal tradition in some non-Christian countries as well. For example, many Japanese people have adopted the custom of buying and eating fried chicken on Christmas.


In Unixploria, the celebrations and observances throughout the year strongly connect to the Christian faith. Christmas, in particular, is traditionally celebrated with themes and symbols associated with the religion. Although there are a few remnants of pagan festivals, such as Midsummer, most observances align with Christian traditions.

Christmas

CHRISTMAS


Christmas is probably the most celebrated holiday in Unixploria. Celebrations start on Christmas eve and continue well into the new year. Nativity scenes, Christmas trees, decorations, church services, and plenty of food and drink with our closest family are essential for all Unixplorians during Christmas.


Independence Day

INDEPENDENCE DAY


August 8 is a day when Unixplorian patriotism and festivity are at their peak! We celebrate this day to show the rest of the world that we live in the best country. We also take a moment to reflect on things we could do better individually.

Midsummer

MIDSUMMER


Celebrating Midsummer is a tradition that dates back to our historical roots. We have refined the old practice somewhat, but the original concept of marking the Summer solstice and the nativity of St. John the Baptist is still at the center of the celebration. Funny dances around a pole covered with flowers, eating pickled herring, and consuming alcoholic beverages are all part of the fun.