August 2026 - Intercultural calendar

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

2 August: European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma - international

In 2015, the European Parliament declared 2 August the "European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma". It is observed annually to commemorate the 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered in Nazi-occupied Europe. Before World War II, Sinti and Roma made up at least a quarter of the total population. The Holocaust destroyed families, communities, and cultures. This day of commemoration honours the victims and highlights the importance of the fight against discrimination and antiziganism. In late January 2023, the Austrian National Council unanimously recognised this day as national day of remembrance in Austria.

9 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.

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.

25 August: Mawlid an-Nabi - Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad - Islam

Muslims meet in private settings and in mosques to commemorate the birth of Muhammad and to remember the life, teaching and example of the Prophet.