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25th de December

During Christmas, people visit church, have a Christmas meal or dinner and exchange gifts.
Santa Claus often visits kids and gives them Christmas goodies.
Christmas trees are decorated in some areas but they are not big .

Catarina Sousa

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National Mozambicans Women's Day

Every year on April 7, the Mozambicans gather in many diferent parts of the country to hold several programs and activities to pay tribute to their national heroine Josina Machel. The yearly celebration of National Women's Day of the Mozambicans was intended to honor one of the most significant woman of Mozambique, Josina Machel. It is also a day for the people to pay tribute to the women and their contribution to the country through their campaign for human rights and fair treatment between the men and women. On this day people alsocelebrate and rejoice for their country's achievements and accomplishments.

Nidia Gomes

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Independence Day in Mozambique

Independence day is a national holiday celebrated on 25th June and it commemorates independence from Portugal on 25th June 1975. This day is marked by parades and processions in the capital. The President and Prime Minister of the country preside over the parade, usually consisting of military regiments. The day is also used by the government to propagate its various reforms. Various special events to help society are also organized by the international organizations that are involved in the country.

Naftaly Alves

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Christmas

Christmas for Irish people, who are Catholics, lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of Epiphany on January 6th, which some Irish people call 'Little Christmas'.
Christmas in Ireland is the largest celebration of the year although 8th December is traditionally viewed as the start of Christmas with many people putting up their decorations and Christmas trees, along with doing their Christmas shopping.
The greeting for "Happy Christmas" in Irish is Nollaig Shona Duit or Nollaig Shona Daoibh.
In many homes in Ireland the traditional crib, along with the Christmas tree are part of a family's decorations. Family and friends also give each other gifts at Christmas. Some people light candles to signify symbolic hospitality for Mary and Joseph. The candle was a way of saying there was room for Jesus's parents in these homes, even if there was none in Bethlehem.

Bruno Gomes
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St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17. It particularly remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially by Irish communities and organizations. Many people wear an item of green clothing on the day. Parties featuring Irish food and drinks that are dyed in green food colour are part of this celebration.

Daniela Araújo
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Rockfall Festival

The Rockfall Festival features over 70 acts with bands, solo artists and DJ,s playing in venues all over Kilkenny City over the October bank holiday weekend each year. The Festival showcases the enormous talent that is in Kilkenny from Rock to Dance, Country to Folk, Blues to Americana, Trad to Pop, it's all  there.

Inês Ferreira
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Easter

One of the most important religious dates in the Irish calendar, apart from St Patrick’s day, is Easter as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and it also holds a number of different Irish traditions. During the forty days of Lent fish is eaten each Friday which is usually cooked in a soup. It’s a time of self discipline and a reflection on what Irish people have to be thankful for but also a time for Irish families to be together. Many family households prepare their homes for Easter Sunday by doing what is better known as “spring cleaning”, to prepare the house for blessing by the local priest which is a religious ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. Easter Sunday in many homes is very similar to any other Sunday or religious day in Ireland. Families get together dressed in their new clothes and attend mass together in their local church. After attending mass on Easter Sunday everyone  makes  their way back home to start the Easter feast which is usually made up of servings of potatoes, vegetables, meat, stuffing, bread and anything else that makes up a good proper Irish feast. The Easter Eggs are always presented to the children after their traditional Irish Easter dinner and can only be given to a child that has not broken the Lent fast and who has also finished eating a full Easter Dinner but from past experience parents usually bend the rules for the children as the fasting is somewhat of a difficult task for a child.

Beatriz Pereira
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History of The Claddagh Ring

The Claddagh Ring is believed to have originated in the fishing village situated near the “shore” or “Claddagh” of Galway Bay. The ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown. This motif is explained in the phrase: “Let Love and Friendship reign”, and ideal poesy for a wedding ring used by a small community for over four hundred years.
This distinctive design is associated with one of the Tribes of Galway, the Joyce family. Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spaniard, who, when he died, left her his fortune, which she subsequently used to build bridges in the Province of Connacht.
Margaret, who later married Oliver Of French, Mayor of Galway 1596, was providentially rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle which dropped a gold ring into her lap. This fanciful legend had a more factual opponent in the story of Richard Joyce.

Ana Rita Peixoto

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Jeanne d´Arc

Every year in early June, the Joanne of Arc Festival (Fêtes Johanniques) in Reims is a weekend-long event commemorating the coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral on 17 July 1429. To mark the occasion, the city relives the Middle Ages. A medieval village is recreated with a hundred or so craftspeople and pedlars dressed in period costume. Minstrels and jugglers enliven the streets and contribute to the cheerful atmosphere. The programme includes many family activities: a falconry display, wool-spinning and stone-cutting workshops, introduction to handling medieval weapons, Celtic and Arabic-Andalusian music concerts and a festive parade by groups in fancy dress.

The great highlight of the festivities remains the historical re-enactment of the coronation procession, reminding people of the arrival of Joan of Arc and the Dauphin in the city of Reims. Hundreds of extras take part in the show. A big pyrotechnic show is also held on Saturday night and sweeps spectators away to a poetic and enchanting world.

João Silva
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Mardi-Gras and Carnival

Mardi-Gras and Carnival represent a festive season in France which refers to eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lent, accompanied with sumptuous public celebrations or parades (les carnavals) which take place in many French towns and schools.
Mardi-Gras (literally “Fat Tuesday”) is originally a catholic event which marks the end of the “week of the seven fat days” which were known as “jours charnels” (meaning carnival) in the old days. Before Ash Wednesday, the start of the fasting period of Lent, people celebrate in many ways as it was their last chance until Easter to eat meat.

Pedro Rocha
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Bastille Day

Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries/lands to the French National day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called "la fete nationale". The French National Day commemorates the first anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the " Fete de la federation" which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held in the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Elysees in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, along with other French officials and foreign guests.

Ivo Barbosa
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8 March Revolution or Revolution Day

The 8 March Revolution of 1963 was the successful seizure of power in Syria by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. This day is also named of Revolution Day and it's one of the most important public holidays in Syria because it changed the Syrian government and the life of the Syrians.
Syrians celebrate the Revolution Day by holding speeches parades and delivering speeches to commemorate a new era of economic and political development.

Rita Santos
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Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a Khutba (sermon) and give Zakat al-Fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eind al-Fitr.

Beatriz Pinto
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Mawlid
Mawlid or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif is the observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad which is commemorated in Rabi'al-awwal, the third month in the islamic calendar. 12th Rabi'al-awwal is the accepted date among most of the Sunni scholars while Shi'a scholars regard 17th Rabi'al-awwal as the accepted date .
The history of this celebration goes back to the early days of Islam when some of the Tabi'in ( the successors of the companions of the prophet ) began to hold sessions in which poetry and songs composed to honor the dignity and the righteous example of the Mensseger of Allah were recited and sung to overflowing crowds in the major cities of Islamic Civilization.The Ottomans declared it an official holiday in 1588.The term Mawlid is also used in some parts of the world, such as Egypt, as a generic term for the birthday celebration of others historical religious figures such as Sufi saints.

Carolina Águas
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Evacuation Day

It is celebreted on 17 April with parades , flowers and flags of Syria .
Evacuation Day is Syria proclamation of full independence. The French evacuated their last troops from Syria on 17 april 1946.
Beatriz Nogueira

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Day of the Martyrs

The day of the Martyrs is comemorated on the 6th May, during this day the death sentence by the Ottoman authorities of several Syrian patriots is remembered. The Syrian people commemorate the Day of the Martyrs with armed actions of the groups supported from abroad and an intense media campaign that tries to justify a foreign militar intervention, besides that, they place wreaths on the tumbs of the martyrs.
Daniela Serradeiro

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Christmas

During the Christmas season in Caracas, Venezuela, from December 16 to 24, the streets are closed to the "roller skates" - which is exactly what it seems: a mass of people skating together through the city. On the first Sunday of December, celebrations begin in Aragua and Carabobo with a party called "Velorio, Dance or Pilgrimage of the Shepherds of the Child Jesus". There are processions and dances in the streets accompanied by stringed instruments.

Ivo Santos
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April 19 - independence of the Republic of Venezuela

The Republic of Venezuela celebrates its independence from Spain on two different dates: April 19, when an initial declaration of semi-independence from Spain was signed in 1810 and July 5 , when a more definitive break was signed in 1811. April 19 is know as " Firma Acta de la Independência " or " Signing of the Act of Independence ".
Gabriel Gomes

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Festival of the Crosses

The "Fiesta de los crusses"  or "Cruz de mayo", May cross, is a holiday celebrated on the third of May in many ports of Spain and hispanic America.
Religiously the festival is rooted in the search by the byzantine Empress saint Helena for the cross on which Jesus died, but the popular traditions connected to the festival certainly originated from pagan traditions brought to Spain by the Roman Empire .
Ken dos Santos

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Independence day

The Independence Day is on 4th of July . It celebrates the day when the United States declared independence from United Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776.
They celebrate the day of independence with parties, parades and family reunions. The day is associated with patriotic displays, barbecues, picnics, baseball games and firework at the night.

Filipe Vasconcelos
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Arbor Day

The Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April.
It is important because of the destruction and the deforestation.
During Arbor Day, people are encouraged to plant trees. Many
organizations, local groups and environmental organizations arrange for
tree planting events to take place that people can join. This makes tree
planting accessible to everyone.

Pedro Correia
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Easter

Easter is celebrated 40 days after Carnival, this year it is on the first of April. It is the celbration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Up Helly Aa

Up Helly Aa refers to any of a vality of fire festivals held annualy in the Shetland Islands in Scotland, in the middle of winter to mark the end of the New Year Season. The festival involves a procession of up to a thousand guizers in Lerwick and considerably lower numbers in the more rural festivals, formed into squads who march through the town of village in a variety of themed costumes.
Lara e Leonor
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Egg Rolling

On Easter Sunday many Scottish families participe in an egg rollling contest. After being boiled and painted, the decorated eggs are taken to the park where they are rolled down a hill. The person whose egg roles the farthest distance without breaking is the winner of the contest.
Mariana Neves
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Hognamay

Hognamay is the Scottish word for the last day of year but unlike in other part of the world these festivities are not limited to one night. Celebrations on Hognamay usually continue on New Year´s Day and sometimes even on January 2, which is bank holiday in Scotland.
Jéssica Semedo
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St. Andrew´s Day

On 30th November, the Scots celebrate St. Andrew´s Day, a national holiday and a cultural celebration with traditional Scottish food, cèilidh dances, stories and fireworks, the community enjoy the day visiting and having fun on attractions in the country, which are usually free.
Leonor Mauia
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Burns Night

Burns Night  is celebrated around the globe, on this day they celebrate the life and work of poet Robert Burns. The tradition began after the Scottish lyricist´s death in 1796 when his friends decided they needed an annual event to celebrate his career. Burns Night is held every year on January 25, which was his birthday. On Burns Night there are toasts and someone recites the Burns poem "Tam O' Shanter".
Lara Moutinho

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Easter
The tradition in its most basic form goes back to several longstanding or ancient cultures, where the egg, especially a decorated one, is associated with the new life and fertility. Also, it`s important to note that Lent is Known as being a time of refraining from dairy, and eggs fall into that category, so it makes sense that eggs are to be eaten before and right after Lent. The chocolate aspect is said to have been added by the French, whose culture influenced that of Brazil in centuries gone by.
Far from the crowds, though, Easter lunch is eaten at home with the family, it is  an important aspect of the holiday ( and a good way to balance the consumption of lots of chocolate).
Rosa Almeida
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Circus day

Tribute to the Brazilian circus focusing on the life of one of the greatest Brazilian clowns, Piolin, whose centenary of birth was in 1997. Also in 1997, the National School of Circus, founded in 1982, celebrated its 15 years. Thanks to this institution, yongsters of all social classes have the chance to learn the techniques and secrets of this millenarian art.
Vasco Andrade
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The Carnival

The Brazilian Carnival was celebrated this year on 13 of February. It happens with the objective to celebrate the pagan gods and  Nature.It is celebrated with a parade of Samba schools in a street while Brazilian music is played.

Bruno Mendes
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June Parties

The June Parties are celebrated on 13, 24 and 29 of June, the parties commemorate the Saints of  the month, Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter and are a sign of thankfulness for the corn crops. The parties are celebrated with specific costumes, food and drinks, bonfires and fireworks.

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Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival or the Spring Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar.  Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. As early as the western Han Dynasty,  it had become a festival with great significance. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns.
In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and only the emperor  and noblemen had large ornated ones. In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.
The festival acts as an Uposatha  day on the Chinese calendar. In Hong Kong , Taiwan, and among Chinese communities in South east Asia, it has become identified as the Chinese equivalent of Valentine Day. It should not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival; which is sometimes also known as the "Lantern Festival" in locations such as Singapore and Malaysia. However, its roots trace back more than 2000 years ago and is popularly linked to the reign of Emperor Ming of Han at the time when Buddhism was growing in China. Emperor Ming was an advocate of Buddhism and noticed Buddhist monks would light lanterns in temples on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. As a result, Emperor Ming ordered all households, temples and the imperial palace to light lanterns on that evening. From there it developed into a folk custom.

Diana Pereira
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The Drunken Dragon Festival

The Drunken Dragon Festival  is a unique folk festival celebrated by the Macao Fresh Fish Traders Association for the benefit of the community.

The origin of its legend, nevertheless, is in the municipality of Xiangshan, to which Macao belonged. The Drunken Dragon Festival has become part of Macao's history and folk customs, as well as being representative of local folk festivals.

In the late afternoon of the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, merchants of fresh fish gathered in the market to eat while a wooden dragon danced at the table, where incense was also burned for blessing. The Drunken Dragon has become a regular holiday, celebrated not only by fish merchants' associations but throughout Macanese society.

The Festival includes various activities such as the consumption of "Longevity Rice", "Drunken Dragon Parade" and two performances of "Drunken Dragon Dance" and "Lion Dance".

The Drunken Dragon Festival was entered in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macao and, in May 2011, on the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Alexandre Magalhães
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Festival Quigming

Qingming Festival, also called Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness in English, usually falls on April 4 or 5. Qinming is the second of 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. It is also a time for people to go outside and start enjoying the greenery of spring.

The Qingming Festival is an important day to show respect to one's ancestors.

Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese festival and an important day of sacrifice for most people  to go and sweep tombs and commemorate their ancestors. On this day, tomb sweeping is one of the most important and popular activities to show respect to ancestors.

André  Vasconcelos

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Queen's birthday or

It is a tradition that was started by George II in 1748 and it owes its origins to the ageless problem of the British weather.
George was born in November, and felt the weather would be too cold at that time of the year for his annual birthday parade.
So intead, he combined his birthday celebration with an annual spring military parade know as trooping the colour, in which regiments displayed their flags or "colours" so solidiers would be familiar with them.
The queen's real birthday is on April 21.
The queen usually spends her birthday privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes at noon.
Fabiana Costa
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Summer bank holiday

For many people, the summer bank holiday marks the end of the summer. Some people take trips or short vacations during the three day weekend. For others, it is another opportunity to work in their gardens or carry out home improvements. In London the Notting Hill Carnival is held. This street festival is best known for its exuberant costumes, dancing and music played by steel drum bands.
The summer bank holiday was introduced in the Bank Holidays Act 1871 and first observed in that year. It was originally intended to give bank employees the opportunity to participate and attend cricket matches. Exactly one hundred years later, the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 moved this bank holiday to the last Monday in August for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This followed a trial period from 1965 to 1970 of the new date. In Scotland, it remained on the first Monday in August.
Nádia Rodrigues

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ST. GEORGE'S DAY

St. George"s Day is England"s national  day and is celebrated on April 23 each year. The day remenbers St. George-England"s patron saint. Fervent English fans mark the day up and down the country with parades, dancing and waving flags from buildings and pubs. Some people wear a rose, England's national flower, on their lapel.
Dulce Pereira
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Christmas Day

The Christmas Day is celebrated in  England on December 25. It traditionally  celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth.
Before Christmas Day, people decorate their homes and gardens, with Christmas trees, small colored fairy lights, leaves and berries from holly trees and mistletoe bushes.
After dinner,  Christmas pudding is served. The Christmas pudding is a type of pudding made with many dried fruits.
Traditionally a silver coin is hidden inside the Christmas pudding; the silver coin brings good luck for those lucky enough to find it.

Juliana Silva

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May day

May day is a public holiday usually celebrated on May 1. It's an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and a traditional spring holiday  in many  cultures. Dances,singing and cakes and are usually part of the festivities. In the late 19th century May day was chosen as the date for international workers' day.

Inês Oliveira