June 2026 - Intercultural calendar

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

1 June: Pentecost Monday (Orthodox) – Christianity

It is customary to avoid hard work on this day and for families to remember their deceased loved ones. Girls who wash their faces with water containing flowers are said to have a clean and beautiful face all year round.

4 June: Ghadir Khumm festival - Islam

With this festival, Shia Muslims commemorate a historical event in the town of Ghadir Khumm, where, according to Shia belief, the Prophet declared Ali as his successor. Depending on national tradition, the date can vary by one day.

4 June: Corpus Christi (Catholic, public holiday) - Christianity

Roman Catholic celebration in recognition of the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. The altar sacrament is visibly carried.

14 June: Father's Day - traditional

A day in honour of fathers, who receive small presents and flowers and spend time with their families, e.g. have a meal together.

16 June: Islamic New Year - Islam

On this day, the year 1447 starts in the Islamic calendar, which dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which is known as the hijra.

16 June: Muharrem Fast (Alevi) - Islam

Fasting in the first days of the month of Muharram is recommended for all Muslims. Many Alevi fast during the first twelve days of the month of Muharrem. They also abstain from drinking water both day and night. The main purpose of this fast among Shiite Muslims is to mourn the death of Ali's son, Huseyin, during the battle of Kerbela and the sufferings of the twelve Imams. At the same time, the new Islamic year begins.

18 June: International Day for Countering Hate Speech – international

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech was established by the United Nations in 2021. To observe the day, the United Nations invites governments, organisations and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.

20 June: World Refugee Day - international

The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was adopted in 1951. World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June and commemorates the signing of the Convention. Thanks to the Refugee Convention millions of people have found protection from persecution and have been able to start a new life in safety.

25 June: Day of Ashura - Islam

The tenth day of the month of Muharram ("Day of Ashura") is of great importance in Islam because according to the religious tradition several important events occurred on that day. (Moses crossed the sea, Noah's Ark came to rest on a mountain after the great flood, et cetera). It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the Third Shia Imam and grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who lost his life at the Battle of Karbala (Iraq). The Day of Ashura is also commemorated by the Alevi. The Sunni Muslims commemorate the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt on this day. A special soup or a sweet dish (depending on the tradition) is prepared on that day and donated to commemorate the stories of the prophets. Depending on national tradition, the date can vary by one day.