Austria can truly be considered one of the most cultural and musical countries in Europe. The annual Viennese balls, which have no analogues, are known around the world. Over the long years of its existence, Austria managed to experience the cultural heritage of different countries, therefore it is rich in national holidays, which are so vividly and originally celebrated by the inhabitants of this country.
Holidays in Austria: Basic Information
Most Austrians are Catholics, so almost all holidays in this country are based on religion and are defined by the Gregorian calendar. For example, out of thirteen Austrian public holidays, ten are religious. It is also worth noting one feature - some holidays are celebrated only in some areas of the country and are established by local legislation. These events include:
- May 4 - Day of Florian Lorch - is considered the second patron after Leopold, revered by the inhabitants of Upper Austria.
- September 24 - Day of St. Rupert - the patron saint of Salzburg, celebrated by the townspeople for five days. Celebrations are accompanied by festivals, fairs and fireworks.
- October 10 is the day of the plebiscite, as a result of which Carinthia became part of Austria.
- November 15 is St. Leopold's Day, celebrated by the inhabitants of Vienna, who is considered the patron saint of the country.
As for the national holidays in Austria, it should be noted that they are not always associated with fun, there are those whose celebration days the Austrians devote to remembering their deceased loved ones. But mostly celebrations are accompanied by the exchange of gifts, sometimes even purely symbolic trinkets, the arrival of guests, or else it is street fairs, balls, festivals and carnivals with colorful costumes, masks and boundless enthusiasm.
What holidays are most popular in Austria?
One of the favorite and widely celebrated holidays among the Austrians is Christmas, New Year and Easter. But New Year's holidays in Austria, as in most European countries, are less popular than Christmas. In anticipation of the celebration of Christmas in the country, lively preparations begin for another month, shops and benches begin to work in an intensive mode, extending hours of operation so that not one of the residents remains deprived and has time to properly prepare for the celebration. The Vienna Fair, known throughout Europe, begins, starting from the medieval years, and starting from New Year's Eve and before the beginning of Great Lent, the carnival season starts, accompanied by popular festivities and solemnly decorated with ancient buildings.
Features of celebrations
Christmas and New Year still remain purely family holidays. It is customary to serve pork to the festive table on New Year's Eve, and goose and carp for Christmas. Of course, every family is rich in its traditions, but generally accepted dishes in most cases remain unchanged. The most popular New Year's gifts among Austrian residents are souvenirs from small piglets, chocolate chimney sweeps, marzipan gingerbread cookies and four-leaf clover figurines for good luck, and for Christmas it is customary to exchange pastries and chocolate products. Another popular holiday in Austria is Easter, which serves as the end of the Great Forty Day Fast and is associated with the beginning of spring, light and warmth. The Austrians on this day exchange decorated eggs and figures of hares. This is what concerns world famous events, which are traditionally celebrated by a large number of countries. Let us consider in more detail the most vibrant and solemn holidays in Austria, which cause the greatest delight of both local residents and tourists.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In Austria, this holiday is celebrated on August 15 and is considered a state holiday. According to legend, the Blessed Virgin spent the last days of her life in the house of John the Theologian, who is considered one of the most faithful followers of Christ. Next to her were all the disciples of Jesus Christ, except Thomas, who arrived only a few days after her death. Thomas desperately asked the apostles for permission for the last time to say goodbye to the Virgin. He was still allowed to do this, but when they lifted the coffin lid for farewell, instead of a deceased body, they saw placers of flowers. This marked the beginning of the tradition of consecrating bouquets of incense herbs in church churches. After consecration, bouquets were brought into the house and hung over the doors and in the prayer corner until the day of the next assumption, the Austrians decorated their houses with plants and flowers. According to legend, the earth during this period is blessed by the Blessed Virgin herself. This tradition is observed to this day, and the tradition of the Assumption of the Virgin is transmitted by the ministers of the temples from generation to generation.
St. Martin's Day
The holiday is celebrated on November 11 and is called Martingazel. Along with this event, the annual carnival season traditionally opens in Austria. On this day, the Austrians have a feast on the occasion of the harvest, the main course of which is a goose, prepared according to a special recipe. In ancient pagan times, this day was the last day of the autumn harvest, hired workers were allowed to go home and as a payment for work they were given geese into their hands. This holiday in Austria is celebrated today according to the established tradition: the Austrians visit small restaurants in quiet suburban places where they enjoy the wine of the new harvest, but last year’s from this day is considered old.
Epiphany Day
In Austria, as in many other Catholic countries, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. Baptism is the day when the three wise men came to the baby Jesus with their gifts. These magi are also called kings magicians, hence the second name of the celebration - the Feast of the Three Kings. Now this event is accompanied by a festive service, people make donations in the form of gold, myrrh and incense. After the service, the Austrians gather at the family table, the main symbol of which is the “Christmas log”. Children dress up in three kings and go home, singing songs in the hope of receiving sweets as a reward, for this they paint on the doors of houses a talisman from evil spirits.
All Saints' Day
The celebration falls on November 1 and is considered a public holiday. On this day memorial rites are performed, which is a sacred duty for every Catholic. The main symbol of the holiday are funeral candles. It is believed that lighted candles and the memory of those who left us will help the deceased, who arrived in Purgatory, shorten their stay in this gloomy place and accelerate their spiritual cleansing. On this day, the Austrians traditionally visit temples, put candles for the deceased, commemorate the drowned men with wreaths of fresh flowers put into the water. In some parts of Austria, bread is distributed to the needy, and the next day they visit the graves of their departed loved ones.
It is worth noting that this is not all the holidays in Austria, but only the most memorable and significant. As for the Austrians themselves, one cannot fail to note their very attitude towards the observance of cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation, the rallying of the nation in the days of celebrations and the love of their culture.