Gereniade

Gereniade is a five-day celebration that takes place between 21 and 25 June. The Gereniade, observed in Gerenia, is the most important festivity of the nation.

History

The Gereniade is a festivity that have its roots in the traditions of people from planet Meeredres, who later emigrated to Micras, and founded the Gerenian Nation. People used to go to rural zones to offer gifts to Nature, especially during spring and summer. After several years, the tradition became so popular that a five-day period around summer solstice was reserved for the celebrations. Since 2014, the five days of the Gereniade are public holidays in Gerenia.

Celebrations

The Gereniade is a festival that joins together many Gerenian rituals, of which the most extended is the lemsede. The lemsede (Gerenian for "gathering") consists on digging a small moat around a bonfire, so the four elements (earth, fire, water and wind) are "put together" (hence the name "gathering"). Lemsede is a tradition that always take place at forests or other rural areas at any time of the year, and it is done to receive blessing from the "Nature forces".

During the Gereniade, people stay out in the open, and sleep under the stars, so they can be as close to Nature as possible. Lemsede is performed several times a day, along other small rituals. At afternoon, a large banquet is served, with people sitting on the floor, in fallen logs or on rocks, forming a big circle. Before starting to eat, each person walks to the centre of the circle, and drops some of their food or drink (seelgadția). This is done as a way of returning Nature some of what it gives everyday. At night, people have a rather frugal meal with relatives and friends.

People who stay at towns during the Gereniade have carnival-like celebrations, with parades on the main streets and roads.

See also

• Gerenian mythology
• Public holidays in Gerenia