Difference between revisions of "Vetalian Revolution Day"

Latest revision as of 23:51, 5 June 2007

Overview

Revolution Day is one of the most important public holidays in the nation of Vetalia, marking the end of the revolution against the Vetalian Empire and the establishment of the Republic and its successor the Technocratic Union. It is held on May 24th each year, marking the day that Republican forces captured Vetalia City and the Winter Palace, forcing the Emperor to abdicate his position and abolish the Empire in favor of a republic. Almost all businesses close on this day, and most communities hold some kind of festivities to celebrate the day with fireworks and parades being the most common celebrations across the nation.

History

The first celebrations on Revolution Day occurred on May 24th, 1955, the very day of the capture of the Winter Palace. Republican forces held a parade in Imperial Square, showing the spoils of war looted from the palace to the population of the city, many of which would be sold to finance the reconstruction of the city in the coming years. This impromptu ceremony proved to be very popular with the inhabitants of the city, especially when the Republican forces pooled money and resources to purchase food and drinks for the festival which they gave out freely to all attendees. Since the city had been suffering under strict rationing for the past two years, the abundance of food provided at the festivals greatly improved morale and solidified support for the new republic. The day was made an official holiday in 1956, and most of the traditions associated with the celebration would be developed over the next several years.

Festivities

The most lavish celebration occurs in Vetalia City, where festivities begin at 8:00 in the morning and continue until well after midnight. Pavilions are set up across the city, covering parks, streets, rooftops and even riverboats with brightly colored tents providing all kinds of games, entertainment, and refreshments for festivalgoers. Many city restaurants not only provide a discount on their menus for the day but also supply chefs to the Taste of Vetalia pavilion located near Revolution Square, where they prepare a wide variety of dishes from different culinary traditions. Prokhor Park, the main park located in the middle of the Maktal district, is the entertainment hub of the festival with a large number of bandstands are set up to provide musical entertainment to people visiting the park. Most of them are booked beforehand, but a number of them are designated "free", which allows anyone who wants to to set up and perform to do so, provided they follow the rules set by the festival coordinators. Other parks have other entertainments covering a wide variety of events, from sports and skill games to chess tournaments and poetry readings. A major fishing tournament is held at this time, with anglers from across the country coming to compete in freshwater as well as saltwater tournaments.

In Vetalia City, there are two major events hosted by the government as part of its traditional celebration. The Revolution Day Parade is a major military review, where forces from around the country come to demonstrate their training and discipline. On average, 1 million soldiers from the three main branches of the military as well as the two specialized forces assemble in the city to parade before government officials and people who have purchased tickets to the parade. Upon its conclusion, elite pilots from the Strategic Air Command put on their annual airshow. The other major event is the Dionysus Masquerade, a giant, invitation-only masquerade ball that assembles many of the wealthiest and most influential people in Vetalia for a celebration in honor of Revolution Day.