May 2024 - Intercultural calendar

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

1 May: Labour Day (public holiday) - international
International day in honour of working people.
3 May: Great and Holy Friday (Orthodox) – Christianity
This holiday focuses on the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Customs such as Holy Friday processions and wrapping the icon of Christ in white cloth are meant to recreate funeral ceremonies. Holy Friday is a strict day of fasting for many Orthodox Christians. On the day before Holy Friday, hard-boiled eggs are dyed. Often, they are dyed red as a symbol of Christ’s blood. Eggs are also a symbol for the renewal of life.
4 May: Great and Holy Saturday (Orthodox) - Christianity
A mass without bells or organ music is celebrated on this day of silence. Bread (as a symbol of Christ’s body) and wine (as a symbol of Christ’s blood) are shared at church. People greet each other with "Good resurrection". The period of fasting ends in the evening of Holy Saturday.
5 May: Easter Sunday (Orthodox) - Christianity
Easter Sunday is a day of joyous celebrations. Children often enjoy a game of egg tapping where they crash two boiled Easter eggs against each other to see whose egg cracks first. The festive meal and celebrations often last till late at night.
5 May: Vesakh - Buddhism
This day commemorates the birth, the Enlightenment under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya and the passing of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Even Buddha's death is regarded as a joyful event as it stands for the attainment of Nirvana. Customs include sending greeting cards, light and flag festivals, pilgrimage and mass releases of caged birds. In 1999, the Day of Vesak was recognised by the United Nations as an international holiday. The date can vary depending on the region.
6 May: Holocaust Remembrance Day - Judaism
Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah has been established to remember the Holocaust and the six million Jews who perished. Remembrance candles are lit and services are held on this day.
6 May: Easter Monday (Orthodox) - Christianity
Easter Monday or Bright Monday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ through family visits, religious outdoor processions and bible readings. Regional customs include visiting the cemeteries and lighting candles for the deceased.
6 May: St. George's Day (Orthodox) - Christianity
A spring festival, dating back to pre-Christian spring festivals, also celebrated by Muslim Roma in the Balkans. In Austria, St. George's Festival (Djurdjevdan) is mostly celebrated by Serbian Orthodox migrants (e.g. Roma). Saint George is the patron saint of the Roma. It is also a festival in Orthodox churches, which follow the Julian calendar.
9 May: Ascension Day (Catholic, Protestant, public holiday) - Christianity
Celebration commemorating the Ascension of Christ into heaven and the mission into the world. It is often a typical day for First Communions. An old, now rare custom is the re-enactment of the Ascension with a wooden figure of Jesus. Meals on this day usually include poultry.
12 May: Mother's Day - international
Day in honour of mothers.
17 May: International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - international
The day has been celebrated since 2005. Reference is made to people who are discriminated, persecuted or punished because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Among other things, it is about strengthening the commitment to respect, protect and implement human rights and thus take a stance against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.
19 May: Pentecost (Catholic, Protestant) - Christianity
Pentecost celebrates the day when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of fire and rushing wind. Pentecost is also regarded as the "birthday of the church". It is customary to move furniture around during the night from Sunday to Monday as a kind of defence spell.
20 May: White Monday or Pentecost Monday (Catholic, Protestant, public holiday) - Christianity
There are many old customs such as dancing (e.g. dancing around the Maypole) or putting up specially decorated Pentecost trees or Maypoles. Many of the traditions date back to spring festivals of pre-Christian times.
21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – international
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was first declared at the 31st General Assembly following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration of Cultural Diversity. It raises awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting cultural diversity. Based on human rights, it highlights the richness of the world’s cultures and traditions and celebrates the creative potential of the world’s diverse cultures.
30 May: 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.
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City of Vienna | Intergration and Diversity
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