June 2025 - Intercultural calendar

The calendar provides an overview of public holidays, traditional and religious holidays and international commemoration days without intending to be exhaustive.

2 to 3 June: Shavuot - Judaism

The Feast of Weeks is held in commemoration of the revelation of the Law on Mount Sinai, God's most important gift to His people: the Torah, the document establishing the covenant between God and His people.

6 to 9 June: Festival of Sacrifice (Turkish: Kurban Bayrami, Arabic: Eid ul Adha) - Islam

This most important feast of Islam symbolises devotion to God and trust in His mercy. This festival is marked by a story in the Koran (which is paralleled in the Old Testament): God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael (that is Isaac in the Old Testament) in obedience to God's word. In the last moment God intercedes by replacing a ram for the child. In commemoration, Muslims eat a sheep or donate its equivalent value in cash to charity. Depending on the national calendar tradition, the date of the festival may vary by one day.

8 June: Father's Day - traditional

A day in honour of fathers, who receive small presents and flowers and spend time with their families, e.g. have a meal together.

8 June: Pentecost Sunday (Orthodox) – Christianity

This day commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It is also known as the "birthday of the church". Traditionally, churches are decorated with greenery and flowers.

8 June: Pentecost Sunday (Catholic, Protestant) - Christianity

Pentecost celebrates the day when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of fire and rushing wind. Pentecost is also regarded as the "birthday of the church". It is customary to move furniture around during the night from Sunday to Monday as a kind of defence spell.

9 June: Pentecost Monday (Orthodox) – Christianity

It is customary to avoid hard work on this day and for families to remember their deceased loved ones. Girls who wash their faces with water containing flowers are said to have a clean and beautiful face all year round.

9 June: White Monday or Pentecost Monday (Catholic, Protestant, public holiday) - Christianity

There are many old customs such as dancing (e.g. dancing around the Maypole) or putting up specially decorated Pentecost trees or Maypoles. Many of the traditions date back to spring festivals of pre-Christian times.

14 June: Ghadir Khumm festival - Islam

With this festival, Shia Muslims commemorate a historical event in the town of Ghadir Khumm, where, according to Shia belief, the Prophet declared Ali as his successor. Depending on national tradition, the date can vary by one day.

18 June: International Day for Countering Hate Speech – international

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech was established by the United Nations in 2021. To observe the day, the United Nations invites governments, organisations and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.

19 June: Corpus Christi (Catholic, public holiday) - Christianity

Roman Catholic celebration in recognition of the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. The altar sacrament is visibly carried.

20 June: World Refugee Day - international

The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was adopted in 1951. World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June and commemorates the signing of the Convention. Thanks to the Refugee Convention millions of people have found protection from persecution and have been able to start a new life in safety.

26 June: Islamic New Year - Islam

On this day, the year 1447 starts in the Islamic calendar, which dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, which is known as the hijra.

26 June: Muharrem Fast (Alevi) - Islam

Fasting in the first days of the month of Muharram is recommended for all Muslims. Many Alevi fast during the first twelve days of the month of Muharrem. They also abstain from drinking water both day and night. The main purpose of this fast among Shiite Muslims is to mourn the death of Ali's son, Huseyin, during the battle of Kerbela and the sufferings of the twelve Imams. At the same time, the new Islamic year begins.