This document summarizes various cultural traditions and holidays celebrated in several European countries, including: - In Bulgaria, the ritual of making and giving martenitsas in early March symbolizes health and renewal. Saints' name days are also respected. - Germany's Oktoberfest in Munich is the world's largest fair, celebrating Bavarian culture. St. Nicholas Day on December 6th involves children receiving gifts in their shoes. - Ballet is highly prized in Russia, where milk pudding and cheesecake are eaten on Christmas. - Bastille Day on July 14th commemorates the French Revolution. In France, Christmas emphasizes family, gifts, Mass and a feast. -

2. BULGARIA
 “Lazaruvane” is a ritual related to
coming of spring. Probably the most
important symbol of Bulgaria is the
ritual of making and giving
martenitsas for health and happiness
at the beginning of March. For
Bulgarians this is a symbol of the
year’s renewal, again intended to
promote health and successful
harvests.
 Especially Saints’ name days are also
highly respected in the country, the
most famous ones being St. John’s day,
St. George’s Day, and St. Dimitar’s Day.

3. GERMANY
Oktoberfest is the world's largest fair held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
It is a 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October
with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every
year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held
since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations,
modeled after the original Munich event.
Bavaria statue above the
Theresienwiese and Horse
race at the Oktoberfest in
Munich 1823

4. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in Germany as
well as in other European countries. On the evening before the
6th, children place their newly cleaned shoes in front of the door
in the hope that Nicholas might fill them with nuts, fruits,
chocolate and sweets.

5. RUSSIA
 Ballet is a highly prized art form in Russia.
 One tradition in Russia is to eat milk pudding and
cheesecake on Christmas.

6. FRANCE
Bastille Day is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14
July each year. It commemorates the 1790 storming of the Bastille
fortress- prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern
nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the
constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the
French Revolution.

7. In France, Christmas is a time for family and for
generosity, marked by family reunions, gifts and candy
for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, and le
Réveillon.

8. ITALY
 Christmas and Easter are major holidays.
 Italy is the home to the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Pope lives in Vatican City in Rome.
 Opera is a very popular form of performing arts, that
originated in Italy.

9. TURKEY
 9 May the Commemoration of
Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, is an
annual Turkish national holiday
 The Republic Day of Turkey is one of the
celebrated on May 19 to commemorate
public holidays in Turkey and Northern
Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun
Cyprus, commemorating the proclamation of
on May 19, 1919, which is regarded as
the republic in 1923.
the beginning of the Turkish War of
Independence in the official
historiography.

10. SPAIN
 Flamenco probably is the most famous Spanish tradition - but so
often misunderstood. Flamenco actually is is a musical style, with far
more emphasis on the guitar, vocals and rhythm than the dancing.
 Bullfighting, the most controversial of Spanish traditions, is a mixed
blessing for Spain. Many tourists are very curious to see it and view it as
a fascinating insight into Spanish culture, but it is also a stain on the
country's reputation for others.

11. DENMARK
 Great Prayer Day is a special Danish festival falling on the fourth
Friday after Easter Sunday, i.e. at the earliest on 17 April and at the latest
on 21 May.
 Shrovetide is a children’s festival, they dress up – usually on
Quinquagesima Sunday – and go around with their collection tins
which they try to get filled with money.