August 2024 - Intercultural calendar

The calendar provides an overview of public holidays, traditional and religious holidays and international commemoration days without intending to be exhaustive.

11 August: Catholic Roma pilgrimage - Christianity

The traditional Roma pilgrimage to Mariazell takes place annually on the second Sunday in August. This centuries-old tradition was banned by the Nazi regime and brought back to life only in 1996.

13 August: Tisha B'Av - Judaism

Tisha B'Av is the ninth day of the month of Av in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of fasting and mourning and commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The fast (no eating or drinking) begins at sunset of the eighth day of Av and lasts for about 25 hours until nightfall the following night. Prayers are chanted aloud at the synagogue service.

15 August: Assumption Day (Catholic, Orthodox, public holiday) - Christianity

Catholics celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Orthodox Christians, who follow the Gregorian calendar, e.g. the Greek Orthodox Church, also celebrate Assumption Day but prefer to call it "Dormition of the Virgin Mary". The festival is preceded by a two-week period of fasting. Orthodox Christians give up meat, fish, wine, oil and dairy. They thank the Virgin Mary in her role as a protector and symbol of fertility. Healing plants are often picked and processed around that time. According to some customs, festive icons are decorated with floral wreaths.