Dita e Verës
March 14, Thursday
Dita e Verës or Verëza is an Albanian spring festival and pagan holiday celebrated in Albania on March 14 of the Gregorian calendar (March 1 of the Julian calendar). In the old Albanian calendar, Verëza corresponds to the first three days of the new year and marks the end of the winter season (the second half of the year) and the beginning of the summer season (the first half of the year) on the spring equinox. Dita e Verës has its roots in traditional Albanian, Greek and Roman religions. Another festival of the spring equinox observed in Albania is Nowruz, celebrated on March 22.