Cultural holidays in Caldia

These are the main cultural holidays celebrated in Glytter. only several of the holidays are public holidays, while the others are considered cultural holidays. The seasoned festivals have their roots in the Tenic culture of Glytter, as does the manner of their celebration.

List of cultural holidays

Imbolc

Imbolc, also known as St. Patrick's Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig), is a Ghaillish traditional festival marking the beginning of spring. Most commonly it is held on 1 February, or about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is believed that it was originally a pagan festival associated with the god Pád and that it was Sotirinised as a festival of Saint Patrick, who is thought to be a Sotirinisation of the god. The pagan god, and in turn Sotirian saint, is associated with the spring season, fertility, and healing.

At Imbolc, Patrick's crosses are made and a doll-like figure of Patrick, called a Beag-pádraig ("little Patrick"), used to be paraded from house-to-house. Patrick was said to visit one's home at Imbolc. To receive his blessings, people would make a bed for Patrick and leave him food and drink, while items of clothing would be left outside for him to bless. Patrick was also invoked to protect homes and livestock. Special feasts are had, consisting of traditional Ghaillish food, and it is also a time for divination.

Beltane

Beltane (Lá Bealtaine), also known as some saint's day, is the Ghaillish celebration of May Day. It is most commonly held on 1 May, or about halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness.

Today, celebrations are known for their bonfires and traditional dancers. The most iconic of these events is the Spálgleann Beltane Fire Festival. The festival is held during the night of 30 April. While inspired by traditional Beltane, this festival is a modern arts and cultural event which incorporates myth and drama from a variety of world cultures and diverse literary sources. Many small towns and villages hold a traditional week-long Beltane Fair every year in early may, when a local girl is crowned Beltane Queen on the steps of the parish church.

Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh, also known as St. Daireann's Day (Lá Fhéile Daireann),

King's Day

King's Day, more widely known in the Ghaillish Lá an Rí, is the celebration of the monarch's birthday. The current monarch is Kenneth IV and his birthday falls on 11 October. However, if the 11th falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on the 12th. The holiday is observed by all public and private employers in Glytter.

Typically, parades are held in cities across the country and are often accompanied by outdoor markets selling monarchist and national paraphernalia. The day is seen as a celebration of the monarchy, which has existed in some capacity since 720 CE. Members of the Royal Family often attend events across the country, serving as representatives of the monarch. A speech is also delivered on the steps of Spálgleann City Hall by the monarch, who is joined by senior members of the Royal Family.

Samhain

Samhain, also known as St Brendan's Day (Lá Fhéile Bréanainn),

Latreadha

Latreadha, also known as St. Andrew's Day (Lá Fhéile Anndrais), is celebrated on 30 November. The holiday has its earliest roots as a celebration of the ritual slaughter of animals associated with Samhain. It was christened St. Andrew's Day during the reign of Ailbe II (993-1042) and was moved to this date, so as to assure enough animals were kept alive for winter.

The origin of the name lies with the Ghaillish Lá tréada, literally meaning "herd day". It is celebrated by large feasts consisting of beef and lamb as well as other traditional Ghaillish food. Celebrations often consist of traditional dress, music, and traditional ceilidh dancing. A ceilidh is a social event with couples dancing in circles or sets (groups of six or eight people).

In Glytter, the day is also seen as the start of a season of Glytter winter festivals encompassing Latreadha, the Nativity, Wren Day, Fogmagee, and the Epiphany.

Wren Day

Wren Day (Lá an Dreoilín), also known as St. Stephen's Day (Lá Fhéile Stiofán), is celebrated on 26 December. The tradition consists of "hunting" a fake wren and putting it on top a decorated pole. In the past, the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, would celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran) by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing. They would form music bands and parade through towns and villages. These crowds were also sometimes called wreners.

Modern celebrations consist of Mummers Parades. Local clubs (usually called "Wren Day Associations" - Dreoilín Lá Cumainn) compete in one of four categories (comics, fancies, string bands, and fancy brigades). They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete. Large parades take place in the cities of Spálgleann, Gayneva, Invertwinc, and Pennsea while smaller ones occur in other cities and towns throughout the nation.

Laderrie

Lá deiridh (meaning end day), also known as St. Brigid's Day (Lá Fhéile Brigid),