Hungarians are very fond of celebrations, whatever the occasion. Parties, barbecue’s, picnics, special meals, even firework displays are arranged for any number of reasons So why was I not surprised to discover that every Hungarian has two personal celebration days every year? First is their birthday and the celebration is usually confined to family and close friends. Gifts are given, a cake is made and perhaps there will be a party. However, the second one, and considered by many to be the most important, is their name day – a day they will celebrate with others they know with the same name, all their friends and, of course, with their relations.

When a child is born in Hungary s/he is given a first name which has been chosen from the official Christian name list. When I first heard about it I was quite shocked that Hungarian parents would be so restricted when choosing something as personal as a name for their child. That was until I realized that it is a very, very long list that includes all the names from which Hungarian parents would wish to choose their child’s name.

Each name on the list has been allocated either one or more days in the year to be the official name day. If there is more than one date for a particular name the day nearest the child’s birthday is usually the one that is celebrated.

The days that have been allocated for a name are based on religious traditions, perhaps the birthday of a famous person who had that name, historical events that a particular person is associated with or other factors, the origin of which seem to have been lost in time.

On a persons name day flowers and chocolates are usually given to the ladies, wine or champagne to the men or, of course, other suitable gifts depending on your relationship to that person. I am always intrigued to see so many people carrying bunches of flowers or bottles of wine, especially so many men carrying flowers which is something you do not see very often in England, until you realize that it is a particularly popular name that is being celebrated on that day.

In workplaces boxes of cakes are usually taken by the person whose name day it is, to share with colleagues.

Of course children’s name days are very special and exciting occasions when friends will be invited to help them celebrate with parties and each child’s name day will be recognized at school as well as at home.

When I first came to Hungary in the 1970’s English names were not heard so pronouncing a name like mine “Joyce” was quite difficult especially as a “j” is pronounced as an “i” in the Hungarian language. My husband was asked if they could call me by an equivalent Hungarian name that would be easier. I was given the name “Jusztina” (pronounced yoostina) – Juszti – (yoosty) for short.

Therefore 26 th September is my name day but up to now I have not celebrated it. However, I have decided that this year, seeing as I have been living in Hungary for over 2 years now, I am definitely going to mark the occasion. Champagne anyone?