Slovakia observes 15 public holidays, reflecting its strong Catholic faith, Slovak national identity, and the milestones of its modern statehood. Religious holidays including Our Lady of Sorrows, the nation's patron saint, hold deep significance. The Slovak National Uprising of 1944 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989 are commemorated as defining moments of resistance. Christmas Eve is the centrepiece of the holiday season, with traditional foods like oplatky wafers, cabbage soup, and fried carp.