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Holiday Focus: Australia Day
On January 26, Australians celebrate their national day, called Australia Day, which commemorates the arrival of the first European settlers to Australia. On that date in 1788, a fleet of ships arrived at Port Jackson to establish a British penal colony. The site later became the city of Sydney. Because Australia Day falls during the Australian summer, people often celebrate it by holding barbecues and attending outdoor festivals, music concerts, and sporting events such as Melbourne's Australian Open tennis tournament.
World Holidays Featured This Month
Greece - St. Basil's Day - January 1
Celebrated as a traditional day to give gifts, although many people now prefer to exchange gifts on Christmas (Dec. 25).
Kazakhstan - New Year's Day Celebration - January 1
The year's most important holiday. Families and friends gather around a decorated fir tree, eat, drink champagne, dance, and light fireworks for the New Year celebration (Zhanga Zhyl in Kazakh; Noviy Gohd in Russian). Children often wear costumes and wait for Grandfather Frost (Ayaz Ata; Dyed Morosz) to deliver gifts.
South Korea - New Year's Celebration - January 1-3
Families gather to exchange gifts, honor the dead, and enjoy large meals. People often dress in traditional clothing, though this is becoming less common in cities. After the memorial services, family members bow to each older person in a show of respect. Games are played and fortunes are told.
Andorra - The King's Period - New Year's Day until January 8
A time for parades, parish-wide festivities, and visiting family and friends.
Japan - Coming of Age Day - second Monday in January
Also called Adults' Day, a holiday when those who will turn 20 during the year are honored as becoming adults.
Azerbaijan - The Day of Commemoration - January 20
Honors victims of the 1990 Soviet invasion to quell pro-independence demonstrations in Baku. |
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