#blaize's hcs

Christmas - Sankta Clauda

This is one of the few holidays that is celebrated worldwide with very few changes across countries

Sankta Clauda is the Grishaverse version of Santa Claus

It takes place in mid-winter and is a one day celebration

Sankta Clauda is all about giving the gifts of the Saints, so people give presents to their loved ones

There's a feast of dried fruit from Autumn and bread

People get drunk a lot, especially in Kerch

Usually, there are plays or concerts depicting the story of Sankta Clauda or other feel-good stories

Kerch has pantomimes and other comedy plays - they have a more relaxed approach to Sankta Clauda

Some smaller villages in Ravka, the Wandering Isles and Novyi Zem have talent shows for Sankta Clauda - people giving the gift of music to their whole community

Halloween - De Dag van Sankta Dood

De Dag van Sankta Dood is a three-day celebration to celebrate "the death of the Saints"

It takes place from the 30th of October - the 1st of November

Each country has a varying level of piety about it, as each country has a different view of death

Kerch takes a very lenient approach with it. Day one is a day to spend time with family and remember those you've lost. Day two is a day to party and get absolutely sloshed. Day three is recovering from day two and trying to be slightly more pious about it. That's the day to remember the Saints (or Ghezen, depending on your religion)

Sankta Dood parties are common in Kerch but also all over the world. People dress up as Saints and have feasts and dances. There are lanterns and, more often than not, masks and very good booze (usually cider or wine)

Novyi Zem, on the other hand, takes a very demure approach to it. Most of the time is spent in worship or with the family. White is commonly worn, as it's a colour associated with mourning and remembrance. More often than not, day 2 and 3 of Sankta Dood are for remembering family members who have passed on, and honouring their memory

Sankta Dood is more often than not an excuse to spend time with those you love, watch scary films and eat good food

The traditional food for Sankta Dood is Appels van het Dood, which are a type of toffee apple

The Days of Harvest

Most common in Novyi Zem and Ravka, countries that rely heavily on farming

It takes place during the last week of September and came out of the tradition of schools being nearly empty during that time, as so many kids were out helping their parents in the field

It's a time to spend outside, under the stars. People stay up all night, star-gazing and telling stories around campfires

Traditionally, people eat a lot of dried food. Preserved fish, smoked meats, that sort of thing. It's to symbolise the beginning of rationing food at the start of the winter

Valentine's Day - De Dag van Sankta Valentin/Maradi

This is celebrated practically worldwide, like Sankta Clauda

The main change is which Saint the day is named after. Sankta Valentin is common in Kerch, Ravka and the Wandering Isles. Sankta Maradi is more common in Shu Han, Novyi Zem and Fjerda, although crossovers between the two can occur

Sankta Valentin/Maradi celebrate all different types of love, not just romantic

The traditions differ but there's always some form of gift giving to loved ones. In Novyi Zem, necklaces called Maradi Beads are made and given as declarations of love. Different traditional foods are given in the Wandering Isles and Fjerda. In Kerch, people usually exchange detailed letters. In Shu Han, people usually exchange bracelets made out of beaded ribbon or string. In Ravka, people give each other favours like handkerchiefs or short, sweet messages

The actual day of it varies, but it often takes place at the end of February

Handel

A very Kerch-centric holiday

Takes place over April, the most fortuitous time to trade in Kerch

People get four weeks off from school to "go into business" and "learn the ways of Ghezen"

In modern times, it's an excuse to chill for a month and have fun with friends