Holidays
The authority to determine public holidays lies with each individual federal state.
There are a total of 9 public holidays in all federal states, which are therefore valid throughout Germany. These days are always non-working days!
One exception is the "Day of German Unity", which was decided at federal level.
Public holidays in Germany can be divided into two groups:
There are a total of 9 public holidays in all federal states, which are therefore valid throughout Germany. These days are always non-working days!
One exception is the "Day of German Unity", which was decided at federal level.
Public holidays in Germany can be divided into two groups:
Days of honor, festivities and commemorations
In addition to the "classic" public holidays, there are
many other days with special significance throughout the year. On these days, people are honored and commemorated or traditions are expressed.
Some of these are very important for the floristry industry in business terms. These include:
many other days with special significance throughout the year. On these days, people are honored and commemorated or traditions are expressed.
Some of these are very important for the floristry industry in business terms. These include:
- Valentine's Day (day of honor) on February 14, Lovers' Day
- International Women's Day (day of honor) on March 8, day for equal rights and honoring women
- Easter (public holiday) on the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon in spring, with Good Friday (death of Jesus Christ on the cross) and Easter Monday (resurrection of Jesus Christ)
- Mother's Day (day of honor) on the 2nd Sunday in May
- Pentecost (public holiday), 50 days after Easter Sunday
- All Saints' Day (memorial day) on November 1
- Volkstrauertag (Remembrance Day) on the 2nd Sunday before the first Advent
- Sunday of the Dead (Remembrance Day) on the 1st Sunday before the first Advent, last Sunday of the church year
- 1st Advent (day of remembrance) on the 4th Sunday before December 25 (arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and beginning of the new church year)
- Christmas Eve (feast day) on 24.12. is the eve of Christmas with gift-giving in many parts of the world and the celebration of the birth of Christ
- New Year's Eve (feast day) on 31.12., the end of the year of the civil calendar, with symbolic, small gifts, such as lucky clovers, chimney sweeps or pigs
Traditional memorial ceremonies in honor of the dead
Although each of the days mentioned above has a significance for the floristry industry, some play a particularly important role.
These days are called "days of remembrance in honor of the dead". On these days, the
deceased are remembered and commemorated. For cemetery businesses in particular, these days are an important part of the business.
These days are All Saints' Day, Remembrance Day and the Sunday of the Dead.
All of these days of remembrance are "public holidays" and are subject to the Public Holidays Act. This means that on these days, for example, dancing is prohibited from 5 a.m. to midnight in some federal states.
There are also regional differences in the time and manner of commemoration. This is due to the different denominations.
The north-west of Germany is predominantly Protestant, the south is Catholic and the east is largely non-denominational.
There are historical reasons for this distribution of faiths.
These days are called "days of remembrance in honor of the dead". On these days, the
deceased are remembered and commemorated. For cemetery businesses in particular, these days are an important part of the business.
These days are All Saints' Day, Remembrance Day and the Sunday of the Dead.
All of these days of remembrance are "public holidays" and are subject to the Public Holidays Act. This means that on these days, for example, dancing is prohibited from 5 a.m. to midnight in some federal states.
There are also regional differences in the time and manner of commemoration. This is due to the different denominations.
The north-west of Germany is predominantly Protestant, the south is Catholic and the east is largely non-denominational.
There are historical reasons for this distribution of faiths.
Remembrance Day
Volkstrauertag is a national day of remembrance in Germany and is one of the "silent days".
It is not a day of mourning for the privately deceased, like All Saints' Day and the Sunday of the Dead, but for the entire nation, which remembers its deceased on this day.
It takes place two Sundays before the first Sunday in Advent and commemorates important personalities, in particular the war dead of both world wars and victims of tyranny.
On this day, wreaths are laid at many monuments, mainly hero and war memorials. These wreaths are made from very durable materials such as thuja, laurel and ivy.
These wreaths are called permanent wreaths due to their long shelf life.
In addition, the first Advent exhibitions of florists often take place on this day.
It is not a day of mourning for the privately deceased, like All Saints' Day and the Sunday of the Dead, but for the entire nation, which remembers its deceased on this day.
It takes place two Sundays before the first Sunday in Advent and commemorates important personalities, in particular the war dead of both world wars and victims of tyranny.
On this day, wreaths are laid at many monuments, mainly hero and war memorials. These wreaths are made from very durable materials such as thuja, laurel and ivy.
These wreaths are called permanent wreaths due to their long shelf life.
In addition, the first Advent exhibitions of florists often take place on this day.
Sunday of the Dead or Eternity Sunday
The Sunday of the Dead - also known as Eternity Sunday - is the Protestant equivalent of All Saints' Day in Catholicism. In the Protestant churches in Germany and Switzerland, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in person.
It has been held in Germany on the last Sunday before the first Advent since the 19th century. Its roots go back to Friedrich Wilhelm II.
Traditionally, people visit the cemetery on the Sunday of the Dead, just like on All Saints' Day, to decorate the graves of deceased loved ones or relatives. Special services are then held in most Protestant churches. Floral pieces, mourning accessories and grave candles are used to decorate the grave. However, grave candles are not used as much as on Catholic All Saints' Day. The symbol of the cross is also less important. Grave candles are preferred in white.
Unlike public holidays such as All Saints' Day and Remembrance Day, the Sunday of the Dead is not defined by law.
As the first Advent always follows the Sunday of the Dead, many Advent exhibitions are also held by florists on this day.
It has been held in Germany on the last Sunday before the first Advent since the 19th century. Its roots go back to Friedrich Wilhelm II.
Traditionally, people visit the cemetery on the Sunday of the Dead, just like on All Saints' Day, to decorate the graves of deceased loved ones or relatives. Special services are then held in most Protestant churches. Floral pieces, mourning accessories and grave candles are used to decorate the grave. However, grave candles are not used as much as on Catholic All Saints' Day. The symbol of the cross is also less important. Grave candles are preferred in white.
Unlike public holidays such as All Saints' Day and Remembrance Day, the Sunday of the Dead is not defined by law.
As the first Advent always follows the Sunday of the Dead, many Advent exhibitions are also held by florists on this day.