Culture of Pontunia
The Culture of Pontunia is based on French, German and American Culture, with other influences.
Language
English is the most commonly spoken language in Pontunia, known and used daily by the population. English is generally the only language used for government business, although some Pontunian is rarely used for more ceremonial occasions.
Religion
Pontunia is considered an officially Christian country. Christian feast days are celebrated as public holidays, and Christian symbols are used for example in the national coat of arms, but other religions are in the Duchy.
The majority of Pontunians identify themselves as Christians of some kind; most of which are Roman Catholic. Of the remaining religious population of Pontunia, Sunni Islam is the main religion.
Politics
As a Crown Dependency of Austenasia, absolute power over Pontunia lies with the Austenasian Throne and is held and exercised on behalf of the Emperor by his governing commissioner, the Duke. However, despite the Duke holding this authority as a reserve power, the Duchy of Pontchartrain-Maurepas functions domestically as a constitutional monarchy, with the Duke having executive leadership and the ability to promulgate and pass legislation in conjunction with the High Council.
The High Council is the legislature of the Duchy, comprised of the House of Commons and the House of Nobles. Bills introduced to the High Council must pass though both houses with a 51% percent majority before being either signed or vetoed by the Duke. After two attempts of overthrowing the Duke, He consolidated power and rules as an autocrat, with the High Council becoming purely advisory.
Holidays
Date | Name | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 January | New Year's Day | Public holiday (national) | The start of the new year, traditionally observed by the Imperial Family with a walk on Wimbledon Common. |
6 January | Epiphany/Theophany | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. |
12 January | Pontunia Day | Public holiday (national) | The anniversary of the independence of Pontunia |
2 February | The Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas | Public holiday (national) | Commemorating the presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple in Jerusalem. |
28 February | Arby Day | Public holiday (national) | Holiest of Arbyist Holidays |
25 March | The Annunciation | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the proclamation of the Incarnation by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. |
The Sunday before Western and/or Orthodox Easter. | Palm Sunday | Public holiday (national) | Commemorating the entry into Jerusalem of Jesus Christ. |
The Friday before Western and/or Orthodox Easter. | Good Friday | Public holiday (national) | Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. |
The first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March according to the Gregorian calendar. | Western Easter | Public holiday (national) | Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Should this date coincide with that of Orthodox Easter, they are observed concurrently, simply as "Easter". |
The first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March according to the Julian calendar. | Orthodox Easter | Public holiday (national) | Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Should this date coincide with that of Western Easter, they are observed concurrently, simply as "Easter". |
The Monday after Western and/or Orthodox Easter. | Easter Monday/Bright Monday | Public holiday (national) | |
The Thursday 40 days after Western and/or Orthodox Easter. | Feast of the Ascension | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven. |
The seventh Sunday after Western and/or Orthodox Easter. | Pentecost | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit. |
The day after Pentecost. | Whit Monday/Monday of the Holy Spirit | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit. |
First Week of June | Week of the Seven Sages | Public holiday (national) | Arbyist Holy Week. |
6 August | Feast of the Transfiguration | Public holiday (national) | Commemorating the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ upon Mount Tabor. |
31 October- 2 November | Triduum of the Afterlife | Public holiday (national) | Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day are combined. |
14 September | Feast of the Cross | Public holiday (national) | Celebrating the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena. |
The third Saturday in September. | Austenasia Day | Public holiday (national) | Celebration of the Empire of Austenasia's Declaration of Independence on 20 September 2008. |
30 November | St Andrew’s Day | Public holiday (national) | Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of Pontunia. |
29 December | Day of the Duke | Public holiday (national) | The birthday of Duke Andrew I. The date of the holiday will change upon the ascension of the next Monarch. |
25 December | Christmas | Public holiday (national) | Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. |
26 December | Boxing Day | Holiday | |
11 November | Armistice Day | Day of commemoration | Observed separately to Remembrance Sunday should it not fall on the same day. Commemorating all those who have fought and died in war, specifically the First World War and those since. Traditionally observed with one or two minutes of silence at 11 am. |
19 April | Belgium Appreciation Day | Day of commemoration | Commemorating all Belgians. |
1 December | Nutting Day | Public holiday (optional, may be adopted by local authorities) | No comment. |
The Tuesday 47 days before Western Easter. | Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras | Public holiday | Traditionally observed with the eating of pancakes so as to use up rich foods before Lent. |
The Wednesday 46 days before Western Easter. | Ash Wednesday | Public holiday (optional, may be adopted by local authorities) | Observing the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. |
9 November | Berlin Day | Public holiday | Observing the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and the end of Communism |
8–9 May | V-E Day | Public holiday | Observing the End of WWII. |
5 April | Hobbes Day | Public holiday (optional, may be adopted by local authorities) | celebration of Thomas Hobbes |
10 March | Literacy Day. | Public holiday (optional, may be adopted by local authorities) | |
24 December | Christmas Eve | Public holiday (optional, may be adopted by local authorities) | A day of both religious and secular preparation for Christmas Day. |