Holidays in Metzetta
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Festivals and holidays in Metzetta are long-running traditional celebrations held at specific times of year; formerly according to the lunar calendar, but using the solar calendar in modern times. There are several categories ranking how important these holidays are to the Metzettans; national holidays are widely celebrated and mean most businesses will close to give citizens a day off; national observances are only given as days off at the discretion of employers but are actively celebrated by the government; and recognised celebrations are acknowledged as existing by the government but not actively celebrated or funded.
National Holidays
National holidays are days off work for the vast majority of the population and are celebrated all across the country. Should a national holiday fall on a weekend, the day off will be moved to the next available working day. The most important celebrations are Saehae, Gaehwa and Chusu. Mettubok is usually worn on these days.
Saehae
Main article: Saehae
The most important celebration of the Metzettan calendar marks the start of a new year and is celebrated from the 1st of January until the 5th. Traditional games are played, ancestors are venerated and greetings and gifts are delivered to close friends and family. Many people return to their hometowns for Saehae. Traditional foods include rice cake soup and honey pancakes.
Emperor's Birthday
The birthday of the currently reigning Emperor is given as a public holiday in Metzetta; currently Emperor Hachi's birthday is celebrated on the 7th day of March. Celebrations are held at Jangeomhan Gungjeon and the Metzettan flag is raised at homes around the nation. Visitors to Jangeomhan Gungjeon are given small Metzettan flags to wave for free. The Emperor gives a speech and government employees are treated to a feast. Citizens are given the day off and encouraged to rest. Traditionally the head of the household would toast the Emperor's health and pour the adults in the house a drink of soju.
Gaehwa
Main article: Gaehwa
The blossom festival held on March 26th is celebrated with traditional games and spending time with family. Traditional foods include floral rice cakes made with freshly picked flowers and mung bean noodles. It is a day to be thankful for nature and often new clothes are purchased for the event. A bonfire is traditionally lit at sunset.
Local Elections
April 16th is given as a day off to encourage voting in the local elections, a tactic which has been largely successful.
Children's Day
The first day of May is Children's Day, celebrating the happiness and personalities of children and expressing gratitude to mothers. Children often receive small gifts and are encouraged to play their favourite games and sing songs.
Summer Solstice
Traditionally considered the hottest day of the year (June 21st), hot chicken soup is served on this day as taking cold baths or eating chilled foods to escape the heat is believed to make people weak, while fighting heat with heat is thought to bring strength and build character.
Mettubok Day
Empress Joya instituted Mettubok Day in 2000 to be celebrated every year on the second day of August, to keep the traditional Metzettan dress alive and celebrate their other traditions as well. The day has been popular and scouting for the annual Miss Metzetta pageant often begins on this day when women are at their most glamorous.
Chusu
Main article: Chusu
Chusu is a two-day festival held on the 20th and 21st of September, celebrating the harvest and the autumnal equinox. The family's favourite meals are prepared and ancestral graves are visited and cleaned. There are a huge variety of traditional foods given the harvest is being celebrated. Fruits and vegetables from one's own garden are often shared with neighbours. Gifts are exchanged with those close to you, and a selection of folk games are enjoyed. Chusu is the peak of the Ssireum season (traditional Metzettan wrestling).
National Foundation Day
October 17th is the chosen day for celebrating Yang-jo establishing the empire of Meseda, though these events are legendary and even if real, could certainly not be pinned down to an exact day. It is a patriotic day of parades and illuminated ships.
Culture Day
Culture Day is held on November 18th to promote culture, the arts and academic achievement. Schools typically hold art exhibitions and awards ceremonies on or near this day. The Emperor will bestow the Order of Culture upon selected recipients.
Christmas
Main article: Christmas in Metzetta
Christmas (December 25th) is not a major holiday in Metzetta, however it is given to appease Catholics and allow preparations to begin for Saehae.
Saetae Geumeum
The last day of the year, and the beginning of Seahae celebrations. Firework displays will begin at the very end of the day.
National Observances
National observances are only given as days off at the discretion of employers, but are usually still celebrated in a small way by most citizens.
Celebration of Dalrae
February 14th is a day to celebrate Dalrae, and women in general. It is also Valentine's Day. There is usually traditional entertainment (singers, instrumentalists, dancers, etc) in town and city centres for people to enjoy. Floating lanterns are often let out into the sky in memory of Byeol, Dalrae's husband and demigod of the stars.
Vernal Equinox
March 21st is at the beginning of the farming season; family graves are visited and cleaned and only cold food is eaten. It is a day to welcome the warming weather thawing the lands. Families often plant new trees on this day.
Buddha's Birthday
The Buddha's birthday is celebrated on May 26th in Metzetta. A procession of lanterns will parade through the town at sunset.
Mountain Day
June 28th is designated as a day for appreciating Metzetta's many mountains, particularly the holy Mount Riwa.
Ocean Day
July 12th is designated as a day for appreciating the oceans and their bounty.
Sports Day
Sports Day is held on October 25th to promote health and exercise; schools often hold athletic competitions on this day.
Recognised Celebrations
Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, the Winter Solstice and Élív are recognised but not celebrated.
Chulcheo priests still perform rites on days which are no longer celebrated. Schools also offer a long summer holiday.