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This day is a holy day of prayer and the start of fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the start of Lent, which marks the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Many Christians make a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional and making a Lenten sacrifice that they will not partake ofContinue reading “Ash Wednesday & Lent”

Mardi Gras refers to the events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is know as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fattyContinue reading “Mardi Gras”

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday observed by many Christians. It is the last day of Shrovetide before the season of Lent starts, with shrove coming from the word shrive, meaning “absolve”. Many Christians indulge in fatty foods before they give them up for Lent, which created the customs ofContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day”

Lundi Gras is a relatively recently name for a Series of Shrove Monday events taking place during Mardi Gras. It includes the tradition of Rex, king of the New Orleans carnival, and Zulu King arriving by boat. This began in 1874, but the term Lundi Gras (French for “Fat Monday”) was not widely applied untilContinue reading “Lundi Gras”

This occurs on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. It is part of Shrovetide which runs from Septuagesima Sunday until Shrove Tuesday. It is named Collopy Monday after the traditional dish of the day, slices of leftover meat (collops of bacon) along with eggs. It is eaten for breakfast and is part ofContinue reading “Collop/Clean/Shrove Monday”

This day commemorates the declaration of independence in 2008. It has been a disputed territory for some time, since it was ceded by the Ottoman Empire in 1912 to Serbia and Montenegro. After World War II it became part of Yugoslavia, but after its collapse, tensions grew between Serbian and Albanian ethnic groups, leading toContinue reading “Kosovo Independence Day”

This is a federal holiday in the USA celebrated on the third Monday of February to honour all those Presidents of the United States. February was chosen to honour two of their greatest Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, who were born on the 22nd and 12th of the month respectively. This holiday can varyContinue reading “President’s Day”

This day marks the act of independence from the Soviet Union on 16th February 1990. There are processions and patriotic events, a free concert and Ballet Theatre takes place in the Cathedral Square in Vilnius.

World Hippo Day World Hippo Day reminds us to celebrate and value these mud loving animals so they are around for years to come. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed them as a vulnerable species in 2006, so this day encourages people to take action to prevent its extinction. Serbia Statehood DayContinue reading “Holidays on 15th February”