Britain has traditionally enjoyed a close but distinguished relationship with Europe, perhaps because it is a separate land mass. We have many similarities but many differences; anyone who has ever visited Norway, Turkey and Russia, to take three examples of diversity, will experience three completely different lifestyles and cultures.
However, we do share some things to varying degrees. Many of us (although NOT all) have the Euro. Our languages are diverse but many have similar roots. There’s Christmas; The Eurovision Song Contest; and traditions such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The latter is celebrated on many different days across Europe. Most celebrate in June, but it’s March in Portugal and Spain. In Estonia and Finland dads have to wait until November.
Their Baltic neighbour Latvia only started officially celebrating in 2008, in September, but the reason lies with another adjacent country. The old Soviet regime of Russia traditionally dominated and excluded western holidays, so it was only when the old Soviet Union was dismantled that new days of note began to be introduced. At less than a decade old the tradition – if it is old enough to earn that title – has yet to gain traction, but it is growing in popularity.
Russia celebrates the stern-sounding Defender of the Fatherland Day, alongside other former republics such as Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and others. It marks the date in 1918 during the Russian Civil War when the first mass draft into the Red Army took place. For many years the nation celebrated its military personnel on this day, but the event has come to be celebrated by all fathers.
The Italians celebrate Father’s Day in March, where it is known as St Joseph’s Day to commemorate San Giuseppe, regarded as a fatherly symbol of love and compassion. In Italy the family is everything, and on ‘Festa Del Papa’ everyone gathers for a giant feast of wonderful fare. In the Netherlands the celebrations should include breakfast in bed for the father and sometimes creating handcrafts. Gift retail rockets in the build-up to the day, and retailers are eager to jump on-board by changing their prices in time for the day. In fact, Statistics Netherlands found that tools and books fell in price while barbecues or tents rose by 3.4%.
Perhaps the most exciting and raucous Father’s Day celebrations take place in Germany, where Mannertag, translated as Men’s Day, is usually the booziest day of the year – even including the Oktoberfest celebrations. According to Speigel Online any male, father or not, who wants to celebrate his ‘loutish caveman side’ can celebrate thus on the Thursday 40 days after Easter: “In cities across the country groups of men can be seen pulling wagons packed to the brim with all manner of beer, schnaps, mixers and anything else that will ensure a messy, drunken afternoon and a head-pounding hangover the next day.”
Essentially, Fathers’ Day is about recognition. The gifts are a lovely, wonderful part of the day – click here to find out more – but Father’s Day is also really about celebration and family and tradition and love, all around Europe.
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