National holidays refer to the days that are established by the law and are usually nonworking days during the year (Fox 39). There are different public holidays across the globe, and their meanings also vary with countries. Although national holidays are held dearly in many states and a majority of citizens enjoy the time off, the issue of time wasting on a national scale has been raised. However, I strongly feel that the benefits of these holidays are substantial, and all states should legalize them. The benefit of legalizing them can only be realized if their aims are known. The article intends to argue that national holidays should be legalized and all employees from public and private sectors should be given time off to participate in their events.
According to Fox (39), national holidays focus on maintaining a sense of unity and cultural belonging among citizens. The role played by unity in any country cannot be underestimated. It is important to state that it is during legal celebrations that people gather to celebrate the day their country gained independence and other achievements. Arguably, independence and other milestones could not be realized if citizens were not united. Besides, during public holidays, people demonstrate their varied cultures through presenting different items. People sing songs that are reflect their unity and the significance of their culture; traditional celebrations are a critical aspect of any culture, and they help people stay connected. In this view, national holidays should be legalized because they enhance unity, which is a core element of peaceful co-existence.
National holidays help people to connect with fellow compatriots in the states who are crucial for the development of a country (Şveţ 100). There are dignitaries from different corners of the world who are invited and attend them. Most of them give mutual support to countries where these celebrations are held. There is also the development of the mutual relationship between the states holding the national holiday events and the guests present (Şveţ 100). In fact, during such interactions nations form trade alliances that are beneficial to them. Moreover, they should be made lawful because citizens remember and honor people, events, and their country’s ethnic heritage through them. In fact, songs that are sung recognize national heroes who made significant contributions in the respective areas and states. It is crucial to point out that leaders highlight the development milestones that have made in particular periods during public holidays.
However, national holidays are taken by some people for granted. In fact, the original objective of public holidays has been abandoned. Initially, people used to go in the street waving their national flags proudly to demonstrate their patriotism (Fox 46). Currently, some people view them as days that are meant for relaxing at homes, complaining, as well as joking about all that are taking place without being politically active (Fox 50). In fact, this behavior has made some states to retain the option of nonparticipation, whereby all state employees must work on public holidays. The question that states should ask themselves before utilizing the policy of nonparticipation is whether the event can be successful without state employees. Based on the fact that most of those who organize the events in public holidays are state employees, it is arguable that their efforts are needed. However, citizens, specifically state employees should be encouraged to participate in the events of the day by having something to present before the members of the public.
In conclusion, public holidays are essential in every state and people should be encouraged to participate. All state should be required to take part in their national holidays because they are beneficial to them. For example, they promote unity among the people and their culture. Besides, heroes are remembered and honored during these holidays. It is vital to warn that public holidays should not be perceived as relaxing days.
- Fox, Jon “National Holiday Commemorations.” The Cultural Politics of Nationalism and
Nation-Building: Ritual and Performance in the Forging of Nations 5 (2013): 38-67. Print. - Şveţ, Ala. “Staging the Transnistrian Identity Within the Heritage of Soviet Holidays.” History and Anthropology 24.1 (2013): 98-116. Print.
