Happy New Year! If you’re anything like me, you believe that January is simply a test drive and the new year doesn’t officially begin until February 1st. With this in mind, it’s time to start planning your social calendar for the next 11 months. Here are some forgotten holidays and festivals from Ancient Rome and Greece to mark your calendars for 2020!
Photo courtesy of Emma Puddicombe
FEBRUARY 11 - 12: ANTHESTERIA (GREEK)
What it is: This three day festival, in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine, celebrated the beginning of spring and the maturing of the wine stored at the previous vintage. It was believed that during this time the dead would also come up from the underworld and walk abroad. On the first day (Pithoigia or “Jar Opening”), the casks from the previous vintage were opened and decorations were put up. The second day, (Choës or “Wine Jugs”), was the party day, full of drinking wine, wearing bright colours and visiting friends. The third day, (Chytroi or “The Feast of Pots”), was meant to offer pots of seed or bran to the dead and remember them.
How to celebrate it in 2020: While I’m not condoning a three-day drinking binge, I suggest getting together with some friends, getting dressed up in bright colours and drinking wine! If that’s not quite your scene, some grape juice and a couple decorations at home will do as well.
FEBRUARY 13 - 21: PARENTALIA (ROMAN)
What it is: This week-long celebration was in remembrance of the dead and was a time of quiet, personal reflection for the ancient Romans. On the last day of this week, families would visit cemeteries and place offerings on the graves of those they’ve lost. This was in hopes of stopping the dead from feeling hungry and returning to plague the living.
How to celebrate it in 2020: Think of the loved ones you have lost and spend some time remembering them and how they touched your life. You could do this by making one of their old recipes, watching one of their favourite movies, or something else to help you feel closer to them.
APRIL 21: PARILIA (ROMAN)
What it is: While this day was originally a day to honour the god and goddess Pales, protectors of the flocks and herds, it later turned into a giant Birthday for the city of Rome. On this day, the citizens of Rome would make bonfires, hold great outdoor feasts, and, after the second century AD, take part in friendly competition by holding games.
How to celebrate it in 2020: Even though you’re not in Rome, do as the Romans do! This year, have an Italy themed party with friends, complete with a bonfire, lots of games (card, board, drinking, whichever you prefer), and have a potluck full of your favourite Italian foods.
APRIL 28 - MAY 3: FLORIALES (ROMAN)
How to celebrate it in 2020: May Day is still a recurring public holiday in Europe, so I recommend taking part in similar festivities wherever you are. Dance to your favourite music, sing out loud, wear colour clothing and surround yourself with your favourite flowers! You can even plant some flowers or vegetables, if you want to feel a little more Roman.
JULY 23: NEPTUNALIA (ROMAN)
What it is: This day was originally celebrated by the men who worked on the barges and docks of the Tiber river in Rome to honour Neptune, the god of the sea. In the late July heat, these men would build huts out of branches and leaves where they would spend the day relaxing, eating, drinking and amusing themselves.
How to celebrate it in 2020: While you may not be a barge or dock worker, it can never hurt to honour an ancient god. Take the day and build a fort (pillow, blanket, box, whatever you have on hand) and take some time to get away from the summer heat.
*Pro Tip: Here’s a good way to keep cool AND still have a fort.
AUGUST 23: VOLCANALIA (ROMAN)
What it is: This holiday was in honour of Vulcan, the god of fire and was more of a precautionary celebration. The ancient Romans would build large bonfires and throw in live fish or small animals as offerings to Vulcan. This was during the time of year when forest fires were expected and there was a fear that the stored grain or crops would be destroyed.
How to celebrate it in 2020: You have two options here. First, you can simply have a bonfire with friends and consider it a precautionary celebration to prevent the metaphorical fires of going back to school in September. The second option, if you want to take it up a notch, is to throw in a few offerings (goldfish/animal crackers) and say a prayer of protection for locations around the world that are threatened by forest fires every year.
DECEMBER 17 - 23: SATURNALIA (ROMAN)
What it is: This week-long festival was in celebration of the Roman mid-winter solstice. It began with a sacrifice at the temple of Saturn, followed by a public feast and gift-giving (sound familiar?). The ancient Romans would wear beautiful holiday clothing, decorate their homes, and exchange gifts. Most notable, slaves were absolved of their duties and would switch roles with their masters.
How to celebrate it in 2020: During this week in December, pick a night and have Friends-mas! Get together with your friends and celebrate the holiday season together by decorating (either an actual house or a gingerbread house) getting all dressed up in fancy clothes and exchanging gifts with one another.
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Remember, being successful doesn't mean working yourself half to death. Be sure to set some time aside to relax and take in the new year with the people who make you happy. While many of these festivals and holidays from antiquity were meant to honour specific gods, they were also meant to be celebrated with others and connect people with one another. If you are to take anything away from this article, hopefully, it's this!
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