Winter Festival
History
THe Winter Festival was first decreed a holiday by King Tratha in 1240 in the midst of the Third War of Hardavan as an attempt to get families to appreciate one another. For the first five years of the Winter Festival, it was a requirement to gather as much of one's family together and find ways to have fun and perhaps learn to get along. Even during the years when the Croskin Plague was at its worst between 1245 and 1248, many families still found ways to visit one another, despite the risks. By the time King Tratha died and King Aladar was voted into power, it had shaped itself into a tradition throughout most of the country.
Execution
Depending on the status of the family celebrating, the execution of Winter Festival is somewhat different. Among the lower class much of the festival is unplanned and everyone just visits. Sometime during the festival there is a day of ale making. There is also often a market day if the weather is not too wild. The cold does not usually matter as much of the market is devoted to selling warm drinks of various sizes, ingedients and flavors.
Among the middle-class there is often a treasure hunt with simple prizes organized, although some of the lower and higher class also involve in this activity.
Among the higher-class the celebration is the most varied. Some of the upper-class plan elaborate balls, parties and games that often involve anyone with a title, more than family. However, many families consider that a withdrawing from the true meaning of the festival and instead, organize house party with close friends and family. If the family lives near a village where a market day takes place, they often go and visit and buy warm drinks as well and sometimes even mingle with the villagers a bit.
The upper-class, most of the time, have the most organized and planned festivals of the three social classes.
Observance
The Winter Festival always begins on the 24th of November and although the official holdiay ends on December 6th, some people extend it to the 7th or the 8th, especially if it is a family that has a long distance to travel and the festival is the only time they see the rest of their family.
Important Locations
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