Today, it’s my name’s day. Most Australians don’t understand this mostly European tradition and more often find it really weird and quite insignificant.
I’ve been in Australia for 8 years and somehow I still get upset if someone forgets to say: “Happy Isabelle’s day!” on the 22nd of February. The only people who remember are my family and friends back to France who either call me or send lovely email messages and e-cards. At home, it was the first thing my parents were saying in the morning even before “bonjour” and sometimes I even had a little present! It was as important to me as my own birthday! But where is this tradition is coming from?
Many countries and cultures have names associated with each days of the year. This tradition has started in the Middle Age in Europe when the Christian Church decided to celebrate a different Saint every day of the year, creating the Calendar of the Saints.
It is such a tradition in France that every year La Poste (the French “Australian Post”) is printing its own calendar called the Almanach du Facteur, the postman calendar. My mum sent me the latest edition 2014 last month: It contains a list of all name’s day for the year, a page for every month, maps of Europe, France and the biggest local towns (as the Almanach is different for each department). The calendar shows as well the moon phases and public holidays. Can’t remember any house I visited in France who doesn’t have one hanging somewhere in the kitchen!
If you don’t have a “calendrier”, don’t worry, during the weather forecast at the end of the News (it is the same in every channel) you will get a reminder during the “éphéméride”. Along with the sunrise and sunset times, the journalist will remind you as well to celebrate the day to your special someone.
As a reminder for all our dear readers and students, your French tutor Sandrine’s day is the 2nd of April!
