Exploring the Most Celebrated Holidays in Western Nations
The world is rich with a tapestry of cultural and religious holidays. While each country has its unique celebrations and traditions, some holidays hold a special significance and are widely recognized and celebrated. In this article, we delve into the most important holidays in several Western nations, providing you with insights into their origins, traditions, and importance in the modern calendar.
Vesak in Sri Lanka
Vesak, also known as Vesali or Buddha Purnima, is a significant religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka. It marks the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha. Vesak is celebrated on the full moon day of the Buddhist lunar month of Vesak, which usually falls in the Gregorian month of May. This festival spans for about a week and is a joyous occasion for people of all religions in Sri Lanka.
The Kingsday Celebration in the UK
In the United Kingdom, Christmas is the most important holiday in the calendar, surpassing other festivities like New Year's Day. The Bank of England has revealed that the average British household spends ￡2500 per month in December, with Christmas-related expenses adding another ￡740. Many businesses close between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, allowing the entire nation to celebrate and enjoy the holiday period.
New Year’s Day in Scotland
During my teenage years in Scotland in the 1970s, New Year's Day or Ne’erDay was the most significant and celebrated holiday. Its roots trace back to the Viking celebration of the winter solstice and the Gaelic Samhain festival, which marked the beginning of winter. The party culture in Scotland has historically revolved around these ancient traditions.
The Protestant Reformation in Scotland effectively suppressed Christmas for nearly 400 years, with Christmas Day not even becoming a public holiday until 1958 and Boxing Day not recognized until 1974. However, before this period, Ne’erDay was a prime opportunity for wild celebrations and feasting.
Traditions and Celebrations in Scotland
One of the most popular Scottish traditions is first-footing, where the first person to enter the house after midnight brings gifts of food or coal, typically carried by a tall, dark man. In my home town, a ‘First Footer’ would often bring a kipper, a smoked herring decorated with crepe paper, and a bottle of whisky.
Other traditions include cleaning the house from top to bottom, known as ‘redding the house,’ cooking large quantities of food, and hosting friends and family for typical Scottish treats such as a Black Bun (a fruit cake wrapped in pastry) or a clootie dumpling (a steamed pudding with dried fruit). These dishes are enjoyed with a “wee dram” and a bowl of soup, often leading to late-night gatherings and unexpected visits.
A humorous anecdote is shared of a friend’s husband who, while putting out the rubbish on New Year’s Day, was invited into his neighbor’s home for a drink and did not return for three days. Another noteworthy event is the Edinburgh Street Party, which attracts around 100,000 people and includes various celebrations such as ceilidhs, Hogmanay parties on Princes Street, and dramatic cold dips in the North Sea at South Queensferry.
Additionally, the town of Stonehaven hosts a fireball ceremony, where fireballs are lit and handlers swing them down to the harbor, symbolizing ancient rituals and traditions.