Category: Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

National Day, (RO)(1918): December 1

Daily

National Day in Romania marks the anniversary of December 1, 1918, the official day people Romania and Transylvania were reunited after WWI. This is a national holiday.

January

Krampuslauf (Krampus): December 5

Daily

Have you been naughty or nice this past year? On the eve of St. Nicholas Day in Europe children enjoy wearing masks and chasing the devil (Krampuslauf) out of town. It's a colorful tradition of fun and pr...

January

Independence Day, (SI)(1990): December 26

Daily

Independence Day in Slovenia marks the anniversary of December 26, 1990, the day the nation announced its separation from the Yugoslav Union. This is a national holiday.

January

Babinden (RU/BG): January 23

Daily

Babinden is a Bulgarian traditional observance celebrated in Russia and known as the Day of the Midwives. On this day, women and children under three rise at dawn and head to the local well where they dra...

January

Euro Day (EU)(2002): January 1

Daily

On this day in 2002, the twelve countries of the European Union signed an agreement to adopt the single currency, the Euro. Today, 19 states within the European Union use the Euro. These are: Austria, B...

January

Ukrainian Day (UA)(1918): January 22

Daily

On January 22, 1918 the nation state Ukraine proclaimed its independence from Russia. Independence would last until 1921 when the Soviet Union took control of the country. In 1991 it regained its independ...

January

Christmas (AM)(C): January 6

Daily

Christmastide, or the 12 days of Christmas, lasts from Christmas through Epiphany, January 6. The Armenian Christian Church celebrates Christmas on the last day of Christmastide, instead of the first.

January

Liberation Day, (PO)(1945): January 17

Daily

Liberation Day in Poland marks the anniversary of January 17, 1945, the day the city of Warsaw was liberated from Nazi occupation by Russian forces. This is a national holiday.

January

Culture Day (SL)(1849): February 8

Daily

In honor of Slovenian poet France Preseren, this national holiday celebrates all culture on the anniversary of his death, February 8, 1849.

January

Viticulturist's Day (BG): February 14

Daily

Wine lovers will love this day, celebrated annually in Bulgaria. Viticulturist's Day honors the men and women involved in the study, science and production of grapes and the products created from them....

January

Independence Day (LI)(1918): February 16

Daily

The Baltic nation of Lithuania has seen its independence come and go over the years. It first declared independence on February 16, 1918…only to bee swallowed by the Soviet Union in 1940 as part of land s...

January

Independence Day (EE)(1918): February 24

Daily

Like many Eastern European and Baltic States, Estonia has endured a less than direct path to independence. On February 24, 1918 it achieved its independence from the Russian Empire, only to be annexed by...

January

Freedom Day, World (1989): November 9

Daily

World Freedom Day falls on November 9. This US Federal celebration was declared by then-President George W. Bush to remember the demolition of the Berlin Wall that symbolizes the fall of communism in Ce...

January

Independence Day, (PL)(1918): November 11

Daily

Independence Day in Poland marks the anniversary of November 11, 1918, the official day Poland regained its independence. Previously it was split up and partitioned between Austra, Prussia and Russia. Thi...

January

National Day of Rebirth, (EE)(1991): Novem...

Daily

National Day of Rebirth in Estonia marks the anniversary of November 16, 1991, the official day the nation became independent from the Soviet Union. This is a national holiday.

January

Antibiotic Awareness Day (EU): November 18

Daily

European Antibiotic Awareness Day strives to raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the need for antibiotics. On this day health organizations spread information about the pr...

January

Independence Day, (LV)(1918): November 18

Daily

Independence Day in Latvia marks the anniversary of November 18, 1918, the official day Latvia declared its independence from Russia and Germany. This is a national holiday.

January

European Week of Waste Reduction: November...

Weekly

Reduce waste, Reuse products, Recycle material, these are the main focuses of European Week for Waste Reduction. It is an international initiative promoting the implementation of awareness-raising actions...

January

National Day, (BA)(1943): November 25

Daily

National Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina marks the anniversary of November 25, 1943, the official day it declared its statehood within the federation of Yugoslavia. This is a national holiday.

January

Independence Day, (AL)(1912): November 28

Daily

Independence Day in Albania marks the anniversary of November 28, 1912, the official day the nation gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. This is a national holiday.

January