Festivals and Celebrations
Please read below to find information about some of the feast and cultural days that our families at NETNS celebrate.
MARDI GRAS
(Latin America, Caribbean and Christian - 5th/Feb/2008)
This literally means 'Greasy or Fat Tuesday' and is the same festival as Shrove Tuesday. Many countries celebrate Mardi Gras with processions and Carnivals.
Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnival, the three day period preceding the beginning of Lent, the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday (some traditions count Carnival as the entire period of time between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday)
PANCAKE DAY
(Christian - 11th/Mar/2008)
This is the Christian festival of Shrove Tuesday and is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, Christians fasted during Lent as a reminder of Jesus fasting in the wilderness. Pancakes were prepared on Shrove Tuesday to use up some of the foodstuffs that could not be eaten during Lent.
THE FESTIVAL OF EID UL ADHA (Festival of Sacrifice)
(Muslim - 22nd-25th/Feb/2008)
Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims and Druze worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son, as commanded by Allah.
In Commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. Muslims all over the world sacrifice a sheep if they can afford it. The meat is shared with the family and the poor.
TENG CHIEH
(Chinese - 15th/Feb/2008)
This is the Lantern festival, which marks the full moon of the year and the lengthening of the days. Strings of lanterns in various designs are hung out as decorations
Valentine's Day
( - 14th/Feb/2008)
Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14.
In this day people traditionally send unsigned cards to those they secretly love. Legend has it that it is the date that birds choose their mates and begin to build nests. Valentine himself was probably Bishop Valentine, a third century Roman soldier who refused to agree to the command that soldiers must not marry and devote themselves to their fighting careers. He was imprisoned and finally executed on February 14th.
YUAN TAN (New Years Day)
(Chinese - 12th/Feb/2008)
This is the most important date in the Chinese calendar and marks the beginning of the first lunar month. This festival is colourfully celebrated with fireworks, dances and the giving of gifts, flowers and sweets. Gold is a dominant colour to symbolise the wish for prosperity and red is also much used as a lucky colour. Business accounts should be settled and debts paid before the New Year begins. Celebrations can last three or more days. This is the year of the sheep.
SETSUBUN / BEAN SCATTERING
(Japanese - 3rd/Feb/2008)
In Japan, Setsubun is the day before the beginning of each season. The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun, celebrated yearly on February 3.
The day for the Bean Scattering ceremony performed both in homes and temples.
CANDLEMAS
(Christian - 2nd/Feb/2008)
This Christian festival commemorates Mary presenting Jesus to the temple, as required by Jewish law. At special church services children are often presented with a candle.
In addition to being known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, other traditional names include Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord.
LA le BRIDE (ST. Brigid's Day)
(Irish - 14th/Feb/2008)
This is a fusion of the feast day of early Christian saint, Brigid, and is an important Celtic feast, Imblog, associated with a Celtic goddess and marking the coming of Spring. There are many fertility traditions connected to this feast. Nowadays, Brigid's crossses are made from reeds to mark the feast.