Slovakia Holidays

HOLIDAYS IN SLOVAKIA
We have:
Public holidays
Commemorative holidays
Religious holidays
Bank holidays
Public holidays:
January 1st – Independence Day; New Year Day
July 5th – Holiday of Saint Cyril and Metod
August 29th –Slovak National Uprising
September 1st – Constitution day
November 17th - Day of Fight for Democracy
Bank holidays:
May 1st – Labor Day
May 8th - Victory over Fascism Day
Religious holidays:
January 6th – Epiphany
March to April – Easter
September 15th - Our Lady of Sorrows
November 1st - All Saints' Day
December 24th – Christmas Eve
December 25th – 1st Christmas Day
December 26th – 2nd Christmas Day
January 1st New Year Day, Republic Day
Slovak people celebrate the foundation of Slovakia as an independent republic. Czechoslovakia split into the Czech
Republic and Slovakia in 1993. This act is sometimes called the Velvet Divorce as it was a unusually calm separation. All
municipalities and governmental authorities fly the flag on this day.
July 5th Holiday of Saint Cyril and Metod

This day celebrates the arrival of two Christian teachers to Great Moravia who came from Greek Salonika in 863. They
propagated the Christian faith and created a new Glagolitic script. They also enforced Old Slavonic as the official language.
August 29th Slovak National Uprising
The most significant part of modern Slovak history, an act of courage and patriotism.
Slovakia, lead by President Josef Tiso, allied with Nazis during the Second World War.
There were people who not only disagreed but also actively revolted against course their country was taking.
Slovak partisans supported by the Soviets and Romanians bravely warred against the professional German troops
for several months till the liberation of Slovakia in April 1945.
Slovaks highly value this day and celebrate it with many ceremonies across the country.
September 1st Constitution day

This day commemorates the adoption of the slovak „set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed,
especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs“ on 1 September 1992. After being a part of other countries for
many years, this act together with the split of Czechoslovakia and the beginning of the independent Slovak Republic on 1
January 1993 is a significant event for Slovak people. Many institutions such as the National Parliament or Bratislava Castle
hold an open day on 1 September.
November 17th Day of Fight for Democracy
Firstly, it is the anniversary of the closing down of Czechoslovakian universities by the Nazis in 1939. Secondly, it is the
commemoration of the demonstration of students in November 1989 that led to the end of the communist era in
Czechoslovakia. It is known as the Velvet Revolution because of the minimum of violence that accompanied it. Most of the
protests were organised in Prague and Bratislava and both the Czech and Slovak Republic celebrate this important date of
their common history.
May 1st Labor Day
This day is celebrated all around the world since 1890 as a commemoration of the massive demonstrations of Chicago
labourers in 1886. In Czechoslovakia, this day was declared a national holiday in 1919. It was massively promoted during the
communist era and so these days many people are ambivalent about it. You can sometimes come across towns or
communities that do communist-like retro parades for a joke.
May 8th Victory over Fascism Day
People around Europe celebrate around this date. It signifies the victory of the Allied forces and the end of World
War II in 1945. Slovakia, lead by Josef Tiso, allied with the Nazis and was part of the Fascist Third Reich. It is a day of
parades and state ceremonies. The political leaders and war veterans join parades and lay wreaths to the victims of
the War.
January 6th Epiphany
Three Kings' Day is a Christian holiday commemorating firstly, the manifestation of God as Jesus Christ and secondly, the visit
of the Magi to the baby Jesus. Traditionally, groups of 3 people, often boys, dressed up in long white dresses and paper
crowns go from house to house and sing a carol or perform the visit to the Christ Child. They also write the first letters of
their names (G+M+B), and the year, above doors to bless the houses. The Three Kings get money or small presents for their
carolling. The money is often donated to a charity. This day concludes the Christmas period and most people take the
decorations down from their trees.
Good Friday
It is a day when Jesus Christ was crucified. As an expression of sorrow and suffering, holy masses are not celebrated this day
and the faithful fast. A traditional fasting meal is sweet potato dumplings with poppy seeds.
It is forbidden to dig, set anything to the ground or work with earth in any way as it represents Christ’s body. Good Friday is
also a day of cleaning. In the past, it was believed that the water from springs had a healing power early in the morning of
this day and could cure people from injuries.
Easter Monday
Though Christian Easter culminates on Easter Day which is Sunday, the folk traditions are more connected with this day. This
day, boys and men pour cold water or sometimes perfumes over girls and women. It’s an ancient custom ensuring them
good health and fertility. In western parts of Slovakia it is more common to spank women with Easter whips called “korbac”.
Some regions keep both traditions. Women provide decorated hard-boiled eggs, chocolates and sweets for the boys and a
shot of spirit for the men.
Traditional Easter feast foods are sweet Easter bread, salty cake made of eggs, ham and sausages called “paska” or “calta”,
eggy cheese called “hrudka” and much more.
September 15th Our Lady of Sorrows

The Virgin Mary, was declared the patron saint of Slovakia by Pope Paul VI.in 1966. The Roman Catholics celebrate it on 15
September. St Mary suffered from many sorrows in her life. The church doctrine emphasizes seven of them. Number seven
means fullness in the spiritual sense. Thousands of faithful make a pilgrimage to the national shrine in Sastin-Straze,
consecrated to the Our Lady Sorrows, on this day.
November 1st All Saints' Day
The faithful go to masses and commemorate all saints, including the ones who sacrificed their lives to the others, even
though they don’t have a special day consecrated to them. The following day,...................., is known as All Souls' Day.
People remember their beloved deceased by laying wreaths, candles and decorations on their graves.
December 24th Christmas Eve
Slovaks decorate .......... trees and many of them fast before the first star appears in the sky. Fish, traditionally ..........., potato
................ and cabbage salad are served for Christmas dinner. Women bake several kinds of Christmas sweets and fluffy
sweet pastry called “vianocka” braided from 9 strands. After dinner, a bell rings and families gather around Christmas trees
under which the baby Jesus has laid presents. Then, it’s time to go to midnight Christmas mass and also to see beautifully
carved Christmas cribs often installed in local churches.
December 25th 1st Christmas Day

The day of Jesus Christ’s birth. People often go to a mass in the morning to celebrate this event. It is also a day of
feasting and family gatherings. More presents are given among the members of the broader family.
December 26th 2nd Christmas Day

Slovaks spend ........................similarly to the previous day. They meet family, feast and give each other presents. This
day is also devoted to St Stephan. He was the protomartyr of Christianity. In the past, servants caroled and were often
released from service on St. Stephan’s Day.

Slovakia Holidays

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HOLIDAYS IN SLOVAKIA

July 5th Holiday of Saint Cyril and Metod

September 1st Constitution day

September 15th Our Lady of Sorrows

December 25th 1st Christmas Day

December 26th 2nd Christmas Day

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