Iraq (Kurdistan) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Muslim, Sufi :

Sports events : Www.erbilmarathon.org/ 2023 edition confirmed

School holidays :

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 Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Secular holiday : Celebrates the day when American forces returned the presidential palace to the Iraqi authorities on Dec. 31, 2008.

School holidays : Erbil International School
https://iscerbil.sabis.net
Schooling in Kurdistan is mandatory till age 14
Teaching languages: Kurdish, English
Schools are closed on Friday & Saturday
Number of instructional days: 170
Number of public schools: 6,700
Number of private schools: 445
School uniforms required

We carry confirmed dates till July 2024 in international school -- beginning of school year is Sep 13 in public schools

Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you
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School holidays :

Special Events :

Secular holiday : Liberation of Ranya City

Culture : Celebration declared after the meeting between Pope Francis and the Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Francis’ visit to the highest Shiite cleric had taken place in the southern Iraqi Najaf – a holy city for the Shiites. The 45-minute conversation was about the cooperation between the religious communities. The holiday also paid tribute to the interfaith meeting in the plain of Ur, where the head of the Catholic Church met with representatives of Islam, Christianity and the Yazidis. Jewish representatives did not take part. from 2022

School holidays :

cards/flowers :

Culture : Liberation of Erbil City

Culture : Anniversary of Mustafa Barzani, who is the spiritual father for many Iraqi Kurds.

Zoroastrian : Naw Ruz--Zoroastrian New Year and celebration of Righteousness Divine Spirit Asha Vahishta, creator of fire. Feast of Ahura Mazda, Spring Equinox Also spelled Newroz, Nauruz, Nauryz, Noe-Rooz, Nawroz, Norooz, Noruz, Novruz (in Azerbaijan and Turkey), Noh Ruz, Nauroz, Nav-roze, Navroz, Naw-Rúz, Nevruz, Sultan Nevruz, Наврӯз, Navruz, or Nowrouz [Wikipedia]

School holidays :