Establishment Day (Katamur)

Establishment day, also known as Union day, is a national holiday in Katamur celebrated on the 23rd of December, the day the Katamur kingdom was established back in 873 AC. The holiday is a recently established celebration, created as a positive and uplifting counterbalance to Sorrows Day, coming into the Katamuran calendar in 1494 as a way of improving public mood. Despite it relating to the establishment of the nation, many use it to express their own culture within the modern republic to represent the multiculturalism of the nation and it's roots in the idea of a shared identity between multiple people groups. The celebrations became so popular it has remained a staple celebration for Katamur since. The day is seen as a celebration of national identity and the endurance of the Katamuran culture through the centuries it has stood united as well as the expression of that identity, many celebrating their cultural roots. Parades and festivals vary heavily depending on the location with the representative color of the culture appearing prominently based on the dominant culture there. Majority, if not all, celebrations on the day include parades, festivals with traditional Katamuran cuisine being made and sold, performance of traditional Katamuran music and dance performances, and firework shows.

History
After twelve years of conflict on the Zwarkin Teguz Peninsula in the Union War, The Gedmra king, Truta I, successfully unified the major kingdoms of the peninsula. Completing a goal no other kingdom had done yet. This established a multi-ethnic nation held together by a generally common culture and language. Although eventually blending into the common Katamuran identity present today, each region of Katamur still held unique elements that never melded together. Although there were other local celebrations, there had never been a celebration centered around the creation of the kingdom, something that would go on until the Muran Civil War. Following the conclusion of the civil war, many were still separate and antagonistic of one another with many drifting away from the idea of a united Katamur identity. The first elected government of Katamur, headed by the first People's Delegate, _________, introduced two new national holidays, both acting as tools for healing and reconciliation for the nation. Establishment day was the second holiday made to improve public moral and to re-consolidate the people and remind them that despite differences, they are all Katamuran and lead the nation together.

After it's first introduction in 1494 AC, Establishment day proved a very popular celebration. Many saw it as an opportunity to express their old cultural roots while presenting a unity between them, rebuilding the trust between communities. the size and attendance of the celebrations have continued to grow with other cultures including Zhenian, Abayadi and members of the Rta-Katamur community also welcomed to express their culture alongside the other celebrations.

Practices
Major celebrations don't begin until around midday leaving many to celebrate with relatives and friends for breakfast where some may give and/or receive gifts, this is not often done since many wait until new years but is a practice done in numerous families. Following the breakfast, people will move to various sorts of activities either arranged by the local government or by private individuals. These activities vary depending on location but can be categorized under the following:

Parades
Typically, the parades in the north are known to be fascinating spectacles with numerous dancers and performers dancing in sync with one another, often in their traditional garbs. The parades commonly tell a story from the Hilkmur influences on Kataknaydem including the legend of the green sea, an old story of a horse rider across the northern plains. Southern celebrations are far more lively in comparison and are used to build enthusiasm in the crowd before the other events of the day. Southern parades will have people in decorated costumes preforming atop floats with numerous other people walking between the floats, usually members of the crowd. All parades usually lead to other celebratory activities for the rest of the day with the Parades all concluding some time after 1pm.

Festivals
The festivals are the most attended part of the day, many coming to enjoy locally sourced and freshly made food for lunch, then staying for the many events both for adults and children. Sports, usually Tekrorze or Alabu, will be played on a local field nearby with both children and adult games active till the later part of the day. Other paid activities are also included such as rides. skill demonstrations, performances and local folk music make frequent appearances keeping many around the grounds of these festivals until the celebration of unity and fireworks.

By nighttime, before the commencement of fireworks, a celebration of unity is preformed, which is a short stage act or performance of song, both relating in some way to the unification of the people into Katamur. The performance is concluded by a singing of the national anthem followed by a fireworks display. With it's conclusion the family based celebrations are concluded. Other celebrations including concerts will continue until late.