Grishaverse Holiday Headcanons
I've had a lot of thoughts about how holidays would translate into the Grishaverse and my wonderful friend @jesperfaheys-defenseattorney has convinced me to make a Tumblr post about it so. Here I am
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
People usually attend ceremonies to worship Ghezen but it's not enforced. Mostly, on the very religious families or merchers with reputations to uphold go