Festival of Concordance

The Festival of Concordance is the new year celebration in the Elysian Reckoning, spanning three-to-four days in early summer and marking the original signing of the Blessed Concordance. Each nome and community has its own traditions for this time, but most of those relate to the season and the core of the festival, with its focus on family, community and the unity of the Concordance, is similar across The Elysian Federation.
The festival begins with Highsun, traditionally the day when the sun first stands clear of the Crown at mid-morning. The celebrations begin at midafternoon, with businesses traditionally closing early and families or neighbours gathering together to prepare communal meals, each participant providing ingredients or cooking, or contributing music, poetry or stories to the celebration. The meal itself is traditionally eaten late, and with no artificial lighting.
The next day is Concordance Eve, a public holiday when citizens of the Federation are encouraged to spend time with their families and to resolve any lingering disputes or tensions which may have built up over the year. It is a time of reconciliation and renewal. In the evening, fireworks are traditionally set off, with temples, wealthy families and merchant houses competing with elaborate displays.
Concordance Day celebrates the signing of the Blessed Concordance, and is a time of charity and community. Local processions gathering and distribute charitable gifts, with masks worn for anonimity. The temples of Foundation, wealthy families and merchant houses again compete, both to make the most elaborate donations, and to be seen to do so discreetly and without pomp. In the evening, local communities organise street parties.
Once every five years, the Concordance Day celebrations are carried on into Five-Year Day, which is a day of contemplation and contrition, followed by more modest family or neighbourhood banquets.