They start out similar to national holidays in the states, with Independence day (2 of them), flag day, Mother's Day (although it's in October), Father's Day, and Columbus Day (which I selfishly thought only the states celebrated. duh).
Then we get into the holidays that you might find on a random USA calendar, but no one really celebrates, like Secretary's Day and Teacher's Day. Then there are the holidays we just don't have in the states, like Friend's Day, Children's Day, Student's Day, Spring Day, and Animal's Day. Not only will you find these on the calendar, but you will find people fully celebrating them, and I love it.
On Friend's Day (Dia del Amigo) old friends get together for dinner, drinks, or mate. It's a nice reminder to thank your friends for being them, and an excuse to get together during busy schedules. It started in Argentina the day man walked the moon. Enrique Febbraro, an Argentine teacher, dentist, and musician, had a peaceful thought that on this day the entire world was united and were friends, and that the anniversary should be celebrated every year as Dia del Amigo. Unfortunately, Uruguay was the only other country to follow suit. I think I should bring it to the states.
Children's Day is celebrated much like Mother's & Father's Day; the family gets together on a Sunday and children receive gifts.
Student's Day and Spring Day always fall on the same date, September 21, the first day of Spring (Primavera). High school students have the day off and flock to the parks with their friends for mate, games, and food. The parks are more packed than usual, and picnics are going on everywhere. Individual flowers are sold in the streets because traditionally males are supposed to buy flowers for their female friends. Right around Dia de la Primavera, "Feliz Primavera" and flower decorations start showing up in every store front. They really take this beautiful season seriously here!
Although there are so many holidays I can barely keep track, I really admire the way Argentines celebrate the non-patriotic and -religious ones. Although we should celebrate our students, teachers, mothers, fathers, children, friends, secretaries, animals, and even seasons regularly, it's easy to forget. The more holidays the merrier - a little extra celebrating never hurt anyone!
