Public holidays in Cartadania

Cartadania, with its vibrant culture and history, has a rich tradition of festivals and celebrations. Many of these celebrations are influenced by the country's strong Catholic heritage and its Latin American roots. Public holidays may be legislated at the federal, statewide and municipal levels, though most holidays are observed nationwide. The most famous festival in Cartadania is the Carnival, a four-day celebration that takes place before the start of Lent. Carnival is celebrated throughout the country, with each region putting its unique spin on the festivities. In some parts of the country, Carnival is a more traditional celebration with samba parades, colorful costumes, and lively street parties, while in other regions, it is celebrated with a focus on religious traditions, including processions and masses.

Another important festival in Cartadania is the Festa da Luz (lit. 'Festival of the light'), which is celebrated on December's solstice and is a celebration of the longest day of the year and the power of light. It, in a typical Cartadanian fashion, features colorful parades, live music, and performances by dancers and acrobats. Local businesses and artisans also typically sell their wares, including handcrafted lanterns and other items inspired by the theme of light. The festival culminates in a grand fireworks display that is said by locals of many cities to light up the night sky. The festival is known for its delicious treats, including pamonha (a type of corn cake), canjica (a sweet corn pudding), and quentão (a hot drink made with cachaça, spices, and sugar).

In addition to these major festivals, there are also several other events throughout the year that celebrate the country's culture and history. For example, Dia de Finados (Day of the Dead) is a holiday that takes place on November 2nd and is a time for people to remember their loved ones who have passed away. It is marked by visits to cemeteries and the lighting of candles and offering flowers. The feast of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida) is another important religious celebration, and it takes place on October 12th. It is the country's patron saint and the festivities include processions, parades, and masses.

A unique festival in Cartadania is the Dia Vermelho (lit. 'Red Day'), a day that commemorates the Ano Vermelho, a confrontation that began on 4 September 1697 in which the Cartadanian lower-class murdered and exiled over two-thousand upper class citizens in an effort to reform the countries oppressive government. Though the confrontation is seen as somewhat grim, the day (a federal holiday) is often used to remember Cartadania's end to a dominant minority. It is celebrated annually on 4 September and is marked by social gatherings, symbolic decoration, feasting, fireworks, and an event known as a color parade, with strong importance of the color red. Water guns and water-filled balloons, as well as colored powder similar to that of the Hindu Holi festival, are often used to play and colour each other, with anyone and anyplace being considered fair game to color. Groups often carry drums and other musical instruments going from place to place singing and dancing.

Festivals in Cartadania are an important part of the country's cultural identity, and they provide an opportunity for people to come together, celebrate, and honor their traditions and history.