Holidays in Saxony

Good Friday is after the Friday before Eastern. On Good Friday one thinks of the death of Jesus Christ. It is part of the so called Good Week, which begins after Palm Sunday, including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and ends with Good Saturday.

Easter Monday ist the monday after Easter Sunday. As second holiday it is actually not an Easternday. The Christian background of this holiday is the encounter of two disciples with the risen Christ.

In old traditions, the 1st May is an holiday as well (Dance into May, Walpurgis Night, May trees, etc.). Since 1890 it is rededicated to “Achievements of the international labor movement”.

The Ascencion of Christ is 39 days after Easter Monday, for this it always on thursday. The christian background is the ascension of Jesus Christ to his father God in heaven after his resurrection (Eastern). Secular oriented citizens see this day as “Father´s Day”, proper men´s tours included.

Whit Monday is 49 days after Easter Sunday. Here, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost onto the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ is celebrated.

Since 1990 the 3rd of October is Germany´s National Holiday, thinking of the Reunion. In Western Germany this holiday was celebrated on the 17th of June, rembering the national uprising in the DDR that was abolished on this day of October in 1953.

The Reformation Day is always on the 31st of October. It reminds of Martin Luther, posting the 95 thesis onto the door of the castles´ church. In Baden-Württemberg the schools are closed on this holiday.

Since 1995 the Penance Day is abolished as a work-free day, to compensate the surplus loads through the new introduced compulsory long term care insurance. The township of Sachsen kept the Penance Day as a holiday, therefore the employees pay an higher amount for the compulsory long term care insurance. The costs of this addition are higher than the benefit of the work-free day. So this arrangement can not be seen as pro-labor.

Main celebration day of Christmas (in Germany)