I love Sunday mornings and the same feeling is about national holidays. The city is quieter than normal and people are even more laid back as well. Less movement, less noise and less stress are all good things. People know that a break is necessary and, unless you have a business, then everybody’s day tends to start slower and it’s a great time for families to get together and celebrate over a meal.
But what I love even more is the fact that despite the growing socio-economic stratifications that I see every day, most people are still willing to say hi or wish you for that particular holiday.
From early in the morning you get text messages and emails from various people wishing you the particular religious holiday, and even though you may not be of that religious inclination, I it still appropriate to wish friends and acquaintances as well.
Religious holidays
Several of the national day holidays are religious ones. Albania is well-known for its religious tolerance and respect. All major faiths and denominations co-habit in peace, and though there has been a growing number of extremist cells, their impact has been minimal on the overall status of things.
2020 calendar of holidays
01 January 2020 |
New Year’s Day
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02 January 2020 |
New Year’s Day
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03 January 2020 |
Official holiday***
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14 March 2020 |
Summer Day*
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22 March 2020 |
Nevruz Day*
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12 April 2020 |
Catholic Easter*
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19 April 2020 |
Orthodox Easter*
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01 May 2020 |
International Worker’s Day
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24 May 2020 |
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)**
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31 July 2020 |
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)**
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05 September 2020 |
Saint Teresa Sanctification Day*
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28 November 2020 |
Flag and Independence Day*
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29 November 2020 |
Liberation Day*
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08 December 2020 |
National Youth Day
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25 December 2020 |
Christmas Day
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Note: The Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays may be subject to change according to the lunar calendar. In case of eventual changes, you will be notified accordingly. https://www.bankofalbania.org/Shtypi/Kalendari_i_festave/
A public holiday in Albania is a holiday usually recognized by Albanian law makers and is usually a non working day throughout the year. The public holidays in Albania are usually days to commemorate an event, such as the anniversary of a historic celebration (eg: Independence day), or could be a faith based festivity such as Easter.