Municipality Day(s): a new tradition in the calendar of municipal festivals

Abstract

An important function within the overall way of life of current rural as well as urban communities is carried out by cultural-social events and festivals organised at the place of residence of the actors and potential participants. One of those which do not follow traditional cultural patterns, but which has acquired the reputation of a traditional event is the Municipality Day (Deň obce) festival. The study is based on field research and on internet sources approaching the course of the Village Day in Slovakia, as well as alternative versions of this holiday in selected countries. We have selected three examples of Municipality Days: The Municipal Festivity of Tekovské Lužany representing a multi-cultural village with a stabilised population since the second half of the 20th century, the Petržalka Days representing a city district, and the Day of the Municipality of Hviezdoslavov, representing a suburb. Municipality Days is a global festivity with a local function. Its significance lies in the civic principle standing above other social segments of the locality – religious, ethnic, professional, age- or gender-related, etc. With increased importance of civic society, the position of this festivity is also strengthened in the calendar events of territorial communities.