ASSUMPTION OF MARY
It is a national holiday celebrated on August 15th. The holiday is based on the belief that the body of Mary, the mother of Jesus, did not undergo decay but was immediately transported to Heaven and reunited there with her soul. The holiday has been kept since the 4th Century A.D., as an attempt to replace an earlier pagan harvest festival. This is why it is still called the ?Feast of Our Lady of the Harvest? in certain regions of Europe. You will find fairs, parades with marching bands, kids? games, foot races through the public streets, dancing, costume contests, and general family fun.