Copying Holidays and Red-letter Days - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 01:27 AM

So are any of your countries copying the holidays/red-letter days of other countries?

I'm asking because mine is and I'm wondering if Denmark is the only one. For the past 5 years or so the post offices has started to sell Valentine's cards on Valentine's day and Halloween cards on Halloween and some of the stores decorate their windows with special items from both holidays. The reason for this is of course profit which only pisses me off even more.

I don't see you people celebrate Fastelavn, Morten's aften (=Morten's evening) or Store Bededag (=big praying day) and why would you?! These are Danish red-letter days with deep roots in the history of my country and our customs and have therefore nothing to do with any countries abroad.

It's not only the motive of profit that annoys me. It's that it takes away a bit of the magic of other counties. Valentine's Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving is what makes America extra special and interesting. Ireland has Saint Patrick's Day and the Italians have La Befana. They will all seem less interesting if we all started celebrating them wouldn't you agree?

WillyPete · 11-24-2004, 01:56 AM

St Patrick's day is probably bigger in Boston than in Ireland.
Halloween is an old English event.
Cinco de Mayo? Spanish/south American.

When you consider that America really only has dates of wars to celebrate due to a lack of history compared to Europe, I guess they have to adopt the ones used by the countries from which their ancestors came from. (Sorry yanks, I couldn't help but twist the knife.

)

It's funny to see July 4th being bandied about by the media over here in the UK now.

We're also starting to get in on the more ethnic ceebrations in the UK now too. Diwali and other Asian celebrations. Notting hill carnival is very Carribean in origin.

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyPete

Halloween is an old English event.

When you consider that America really only has dates of wars to celebrate due to a lack of history compared to Europe, I guess they have to adopt the ones used by the countries from which their ancestors came from. (Sorry yanks, I couldn't help but twist the knife.

)

WHAT?! Halloween isn't originally an American celebration?! Interesting!

Ella · 11-24-2004, 04:19 AM

Australia have never taken any notice of Halloween and Thanksgiving, but do celebrate Valentines Day. Well....those of us who are that way inclined do. We also do St. Pats Day in certain circles, mainly 'cos we have a large Irish population here. Plus it's a good excuse for a piss-up.

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ella

Australia have never taken any notice of Halloween and Thanksgiving, but do celebrate Valentines Day. Well....those of us who are that way inclined do. We also do St. Pats Day in certain circles, mainly 'cos we have a large Irish population here. Plus it's a good excuse for a piss-up.

I know that there is a small village somewhere In Australia with Danish immegrants. I wonder if they've started spreading the word of Fastelavn, Morten's aften and Store Bededag?! I'm sure they are. Mark my words Ella... soon you're gonna be celebrating our red-letter days as well

WillyPete · 11-24-2004, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

WHAT?! Halloween isn't originally an American celebration?! Interesting!

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/hween/origin.htm

Quote:

The origin of Halloween dates back 2000 years ago to the Celtic celebration of the dead. A Celtic festival was held on November 1, the first day of the celtic New Year, honoring the Samhain, the Lord of the Dead. Celtic ritual believed that the souls of the dead returned on the evening before November 1. The celebration included burning sacrifices and costumes. These early events began as both a celebration of the harvest and an honoring of dead ancestors.

Halloween spread throughout Europe in the seventh century. It began with "All Hallows Eve", the "Night of the Dead". It is immediately followed by "All Souls Day", a christian holy day.

The first lighted fruit was really carved out of gourds and turnips. European custom also included carving scary faces into the gourds and placing embers inside to light them. This was believed to ward of evil spirits, especially spirits who roamed the streets and countryside during All Hallows Eve.

The Irish brought the tradition of carving turnips and even potatoes with them to America. They quickly discovered that pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve.

Did you know?!? Americans spend over $14 billion on costumes, decorations, party supplies and other Halloween paraphernalia!!

Bobbing for Apples is a tradition widely popular a few decades ago. It dates back to ancient roman times in honor of the Roman goddess of fruits and apples.

Jack O'Lantern:
http://pumpkinnook.com/facts/jack.htm

WillyPete · 11-24-2004, 04:58 AM

Oh, and sorry. When I say english, I'm commonly referring to the british Isles. It's an annoying Imperialist habit I have.

d*d · 11-24-2004, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyPete

Oh, and sorry. When I say english, I'm commonly referring to the british Isles. It's an annoying Imperialist habit I have.

It's been noted.
Although Halloween is an engish rooted event - trick or treating is an american addition to the holiday (and I hate it) st patricks day is the huge event it is because it's pretty much sponored and marketed by guinness.

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 05:15 AM

interesting facts WillyPete! Thanks!

As it spread throughout Europe I wonder why Scandinavians didn't start celebrating Halloween as well

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d*d

It's been noted.
trick or treating is an american addition to the holiday (and I hate it)

We do that as well in Denmark but we call it "at rasle". Since at rasle isn't inspired by the English way ours is a little different; we rasler during daylight, we sing and we ask for money instead of candy

Fly · 11-24-2004, 06:59 AM

every one should celebrate....annual beer drinking day ........with us Canadians....

it's easy.....just pick any day of any month.........crack open a wobbly pop and celebrate.......

i know you could pull it off Nancy.

d*d · 11-24-2004, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

We do that as well in Denmark but we call it "at rasle". Since at rasle isn't inspired by the English way ours is a little different; we rasler during daylight, we sing and we ask for money instead of candy

something new every day....

SecretMethod70 · 11-24-2004, 07:09 AM

Growing emphasis on other holidays doesn't bother me so much as manufactured holidays such as Sweetest Day. I *hate* manufactured holidays. Almost as much as I hate holidays whose meaning has been usurped so much it may as well BE a manufactured holiday (see Christmas, et al).

Redlemon · 11-24-2004, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

Almost as much as I hate holidays whose meaning has been usurped so much it may as well BE a manufactured holiday (see Christmas, et al).

I predict that in 10 years, there will be two separate holidays. There will be Xmas, the celebration of winter, gift giving, and snowmen, and it will be moved to the last Monday in December. Then there will be the Birth of Christ, a simple religious holiday occurring on December 25.

Pip · 11-24-2004, 07:49 AM

We got the Valentine and Halloween thing in Sweden too, but it has peaked and isn't marketed as fiercly as a few years ago. Also, Halloween keeps getting mixed up with All Saints Eve that is a big event celebrated the first Saturday of November, when you go out to the family graves and decorate them with flowers and candles. I'd say 90% thinks Halloween is the same day.

I don't think Halloween and Valentine's Day will ever have the same status as traditional Swedish holidays though, because there is no special pastries connected with that day. In Sweden, if it doesn't have a pastry, it's not important. Off my head I can list these days:
February 5 - Runeberg Pastry (don't forget to recite from Ensign Steel)
Fat Tuesday - Semla
March 25 - Waffles
June 6- National Day Pastry
Midsummer - fresh strawberry cake
July 14 - Princess Cake
Women's week- eat different cake six days in row
November 6- Gustav Adolf-Pastry
December 10 - the fanciest ice cream you can afford
December 13 - lussebulle and gingersnaps

Please note that those who eats semla outside of Fat Tuesday will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes. Savages.

Nancy · 11-24-2004, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyman

every one should celebrate....annual beer drinking day ........with us Canadians....

it's easy.....just pick any day of any month.........crack open a wobbly pop and celebrate.......

i know you could pull it off Nancy.

of course I can!

You know, we already have two annual drinking days in Denmark as I've mentioned before. P-day and J-day

jaded · 11-24-2004, 11:26 PM

in asia, valentine\'s day and christmas are big occasions for the young crowds and good opportunities for retailers. even though the majority are not as religious, people just enjoy \"excuses\" for any celebration. also, these two holidays fit nicely into the holiday schedule: christmas, then new year, then the chinese new year (chinese lunar calendar 1/1, normally in end jan. and early feb.), and then valentine\'s day. the merrier, the better i guess.

Suave · 11-25-2004, 12:27 AM

Pretty much all of Canada's holidays are stolen. Given the time of year, it would be prudent to mention Thanksgiving as one of them.

Aside from Canada Day and a few of the days relating to the World Wars and such, such as Remembrance Day, all of our holidays (that I know of) originated somewhere else.

11-24-2004, 01:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	Copying Holidays and Red-letter Days So are any of your countries copying the holidays/red-letter days of other countries? I'm asking because mine is and I'm wondering if Denmark is the only one. For the past 5 years or so the post offices has started to sell Valentine's cards on Valentine's day and Halloween cards on Halloween and some of the stores decorate their windows with special items from both holidays. The reason for this is of course profit which only pisses me off even more. I don't see you people celebrate Fastelavn, Morten's aften (=Morten's evening) or Store Bededag (=big praying day) and why would you?! These are Danish red-letter days with deep roots in the history of my country and our customs and have therefore nothing to do with any countries abroad. It's not only the motive of profit that annoys me. It's that it takes away a bit of the magic of other counties. Valentine's Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving is what makes America extra special and interesting. Ireland has Saint Patrick's Day and the Italians have La Befana. They will all seem less interesting if we all started celebrating them wouldn't you agree? __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip. Last edited by Nancy; 11-24-2004 at 01:29 AM..

11-24-2004, 04:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ella Ella Bo Bella Location: Australia	Australia have never taken any notice of Halloween and Thanksgiving, but do celebrate Valentines Day. Well....those of us who are that way inclined do. We also do St. Pats Day in certain circles, mainly 'cos we have a large Irish population here. Plus it's a good excuse for a piss-up. __________________ "Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

11-24-2004, 05:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	interesting facts WillyPete! Thanks! As it spread throughout Europe I wonder why Scandinavians didn't start celebrating Halloween as well __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

11-24-2004, 06:59 AM	#11 (permalink)
Fly see the links to my music? Location: Beautiful British Columbia	every one should celebrate....annual beer drinking day ........with us Canadians.... it's easy.....just pick any day of any month.........crack open a wobbly pop and celebrate....... i know you could pull it off Nancy. __________________ BASTARD SterlingStudios

11-24-2004, 07:09 AM	#13 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Growing emphasis on other holidays doesn't bother me so much as manufactured holidays such as Sweetest Day. I hate manufactured holidays. Almost as much as I hate holidays whose meaning has been usurped so much it may as well BE a manufactured holiday (see Christmas, et al). __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

11-24-2004, 01:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	St Patrick's day is probably bigger in Boston than in Ireland. Halloween is an old English event. Cinco de Mayo? Spanish/south American. When you consider that America really only has dates of wars to celebrate due to a lack of history compared to Europe, I guess they have to adopt the ones used by the countries from which their ancestors came from. (Sorry yanks, I couldn't help but twist the knife. ) It's funny to see July 4th being bandied about by the media over here in the UK now. We're also starting to get in on the more ethnic ceebrations in the UK now too. Diwali and other Asian celebrations. Notting hill carnival is very Carribean in origin.

11-24-2004, 04:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	Oh, and sorry. When I say english, I'm commonly referring to the british Isles. It's an annoying Imperialist habit I have.

11-24-2004, 07:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
Pip Likes Hats Location: Stockholm, Sweden	We got the Valentine and Halloween thing in Sweden too, but it has peaked and isn't marketed as fiercly as a few years ago. Also, Halloween keeps getting mixed up with All Saints Eve that is a big event celebrated the first Saturday of November, when you go out to the family graves and decorate them with flowers and candles. I'd say 90% thinks Halloween is the same day. I don't think Halloween and Valentine's Day will ever have the same status as traditional Swedish holidays though, because there is no special pastries connected with that day. In Sweden, if it doesn't have a pastry, it's not important. Off my head I can list these days: February 5 - Runeberg Pastry (don't forget to recite from Ensign Steel) Fat Tuesday - Semla March 25 - Waffles June 6- National Day Pastry Midsummer - fresh strawberry cake July 14 - Princess Cake Women's week- eat different cake six days in row November 6- Gustav Adolf-Pastry December 10 - the fanciest ice cream you can afford December 13 - lussebulle and gingersnaps Please note that those who eats semla outside of Fat Tuesday will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes. Savages.

11-24-2004, 11:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
jaded Crazy	in asia, valentine\'s day and christmas are big occasions for the young crowds and good opportunities for retailers. even though the majority are not as religious, people just enjoy \"excuses\" for any celebration. also, these two holidays fit nicely into the holiday schedule: christmas, then new year, then the chinese new year (chinese lunar calendar 1/1, normally in end jan. and early feb.), and then valentine\'s day. the merrier, the better i guess.

11-25-2004, 12:27 AM	#18 (permalink)
Suave Twitterpated Location: My own little world (also Canada)	Pretty much all of Canada's holidays are stolen. Given the time of year, it would be prudent to mention Thanksgiving as one of them. Aside from Canada Day and a few of the days relating to the World Wars and such, such as Remembrance Day, all of our holidays (that I know of) originated somewhere else.