I just noticed, it is December 8th today. As far as I recall, this day is a bank holiday in catholic regions. It sure was back in Austria. Something or other with Maria, I think. This made me compare the bank holidays in Austria for this year to those, protestant  Berlin has to offer.

Austria (Styria)

1.   New Year
2. Drei Königs Tag (Adoration of the Magi)
3. St. Joseph (patron saint of Styria – each county has their own on different dates)
4. Good Friday
5. Easter Sunday
6. Easter Monday
7. May 1st – Labour Day
8. Ascension Day
9. Whitsunday
10. Whitmonday
11. Feast of Corpus Christi
12. Assumption Day
13. National Holiday
14. All Saint’s Day
15. Lady Day – that’s today
16. Christmas Eve
17. Christmas
18. Boxing Day
19. New Year’s Eve

Berlin

1. New Year
2. Good Friday
3. Easter Sunday
4. Easter Monday
5. Labour Day
6. Ascension Day
7. Whitsunday
8. Whitmonday
9. National Holiday
10. Christmas
11. Boxing Day

Now, there’s a difference of 8 days, we have to work at, while Austrians enjoy their paid leave. Given, in southern, mainly catholic parts of Germany, some of the extra bank holidays also are granted. In Bavaria, for example. But here in Prussia: nope.

Just as well, I have to work on weekends and bank holidays, anyway. From April through to October, that is. But this year will be the first time in donkeys, I have given myself all of Christmas off work: Dec. 24th, 25th and 26th. Ha! In return, I’ll work New Year’s Eve and New Year, when my staff gets to stay at home.