Saint Patrick’s Day, a cultural and religious celebration held on the 17th of March, is a global phenomenon.
It commemorates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. But did you know that this Irish holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world? Let’s explore which countries celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day and how they do it.
Countries That Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day
Ireland
Ireland, the birthplace of Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrates this day as a public holiday. The day is marked with grand parades, the wearing of green attire, and public festivals. In Dublin, the capital city, a large festival that lasts several days is held, attracting visitors from all over the world.
United States
In the United States, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm, thanks to the significant Irish diaspora. Major cities host parades, with the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade being one of the largest and oldest in the world. In Chicago, the river is dyed green as part of the celebration.
Canada
Canada, particularly cities like Montreal and Toronto with large Irish communities, also observe Saint Patrick’s Day. Montreal is known for hosting one of the longest-running Saint Patrick’s Day parades in North America.
Australia
Australia, another country with a substantial Irish population, celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day with various events. Sydney’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade and family day is a popular event, attracting thousands of spectators each year.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated, particularly in Northern Ireland where it is a public holiday. Parades, wearing of green attire, music festivals, and dance events are common, making it a day for people to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
Russia
In Russia, Saint Patrick’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1999. The official parade is held in a military style, in collaboration with the Irish embassy and the Moscow government. In 2017, the Orthodox Church of Russia added Saint Patrick’s feasts to its liturgical calendar.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in its capital city, Sarajevo, there’s a large Irish expatriate community. In 2015, this community organized the Sarajevo Irish Festival, which is celebrated for three days, including Saint Patrick’s Day. The festival includes an annual parade, concerts by Irish folk musicians, and screenings of Irish films.
Argentina
Argentina, specifically Buenos Aires, is home to the largest Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in South America. The city hosts several festivals and events, including a party in the city center.
Is Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrated Worldwide?
While Saint Patrick’s Day is primarily celebrated in countries with large Irish populations or Irish diaspora, the holiday is gaining popularity in other parts of the world. Countries like Japan, Russia, and Singapore have started to join in the celebrations, hosting their parades and events.
The Global Spread of Saint Patrick’s Day
The worldwide spread of Saint Patrick’s Day was partially due to the Great Potato Famine in 1845 which forced more than a million Irish to emigrate. Today, more than 200 countries celebrate it. While Saint Patrick’s Day is primarily celebrated in countries with large Irish populations or Irish diaspora, the holiday is gaining popularity in other parts of the world. Countries like Japan, Singapore, and even non-traditional ones like Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Argentina have started to join in the celebrations, hosting their parades and events.
Conclusion
From this, we can see that Saint Patrick’s Day, while rooted in Irish culture, has become a global celebration. It’s a day where people around the world can celebrate Irish heritage and culture, regardless of their backgrounds.
So, whether you’re in Dublin, New York, Sydney, or Tokyo, don’t forget to wear a bit of green on March 17th!
