Cheska Ovar. The Heart Endures.
Office of the High Warden
Luxemburry / Culture / Holidays and Festivals
The Luxian year runs from snow to snow. Six days hold it together, three in winter and three in the light, and every one of them is spent outdoors or at a long table.
| Date | Day | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| December 1 | First Descent | The High Warden skis the Cinder from the summit; the four resorts open when he reaches Purgnar |
| December 18 to 24 | Winter Solstice Festival | Seven days of torch walks toward the Cinder, ending with the feast in Valdoria on the 24th |
| Last weekend of February | The Luxian Descent | Torchlit night descent of the Cinder, open to every skier in the Realm |
| March 21 | Warden's Day | The High Warden's birthday. New citizens announced, honors conferred |
| First Saturday of May | First Bloom | The regions choose their delegates; the first day the lake road is open |
| June 12 | Unification Day | The Charter read aloud in Charter Square, as it has been every year since 1723 |
| April 15 | The last run | The High Warden closes the season at dusk, alone |
| Every Saturday, December to March | Ski Saturdays | The Council does not sit. The Realm skis |
On each of the seven nights before the Solstice, a village or a quarter of Valdoria walks with torches toward Mount Cinder, to keep the Heart warm on the longest nights. On the 24th the walks meet at Charter Square, the long tables are set, and the Realm eats Quormé Sabzuee together. New citizens of the year are welcomed by name by the High Warden. The toast is Fyrn ovar.
Dating from the races of the 1890s: on the last Saturday of February, at nightfall, every skier in Purgnar and any Luxian who cares to join descends the Cinder in one torchlit line. The best time earns the honor of Knight of the Cinder Peaks. Spectators fill the base with lanterns.
March 21 is the birthday of Zevi Abselet II and the day he took office in 2020. The Register of Citizens is read aloud on Charter Square, new citizens are announced, and the honors of the Realm are conferred. Abbguscht is served in the Warden's House.
The Charter is read from the reading stone by the youngest citizen entered in the Register that year, or by the Keeper of the Archives if there is none. The 1723 Map is shown. It is the one day the whole Council must be in the square.
Article VIII of the Charter. On the longest night every citizen has a seat, and the Heart is not alone.
