Tabaski
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Wednesday june 28, 2023
Muslim, Sufi : Feast of the Sacrifice
Summer holiday (beginning)
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Friday june 30, 2023
School holidays :
Independence Day
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Tuesday august 1, 2023
Secular holiday : Obtained from France on August 1, 1960
Assumption
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Tuesday august 15, 2023
Catholic : Dogma defined by the Catholic Church on November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII declared that at the end of her life, Mary's body and soul were assumed into Heaven.
Summer holiday (end) - Lycée Français
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Monday september 4, 2023
School holidays :
Summer holiday (end)
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Monday september 18, 2023
School holidays :
Maouloud
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Wednesday september 27, 2023
Muslim, Sufi : Prophet's Birthday
All Saints - (beginning)
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Friday october 27, 2023
School holidays :
All Saints' Day
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Wednesday november 1, 2023
Catholic : The day now honors all saints of the church, even those not known by name. The first All Saints' Day occurred on May 13, 609 (C.E.) when Pope Boniface IV accepted the Pantheon as a gift from the Emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated it as the Church of Santa Maria Rotonda in honor of the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. During Pope Gregory III's reign (731-741), the festival was expanded to include all saints and a chapel in St. Peter's church was dedicated accordingly. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837. (World Book Encyclopedia)
All Saints - (end)
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Monday november 13, 2023
School holidays :
FITHEB (Festival International de Théâtre du Bénin)
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Saturday december 2, 2023
Culture : Lasts 1 week - in Cotonou 2022 edition NOT confirmed
Winter holiday (beginning)
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Wednesday december 20, 2023
School holidays :
Christmas Day
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Monday december 25, 2023
Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Years Day on Christmas Day.