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mishalakFrom German, Keine Seele Tag, literally "No Souls Day", it is the annual celebration of the martyrs of free-thought by atheists. It is observed in the spring, often on the same day as the christian Easter. Though there have been many thousands who have been put to death over the centuries for doubting the state religion, writing books that question theology, and statements of atheist belief, the most famous is still Socrates who was ordered to commit suicide in 399 BCE for impiety. Because of this many Greek spring dishes are traditional including lamb, asparagus, a salad, and served with liquor flavored with evergreens to recall (in a non-fatal way) the hemlock that Socrates drank.
The day starts with preparations for the afternoon meal. The celebrants work together in the kitchen preparing the food and setting up the table for later on. After the work is done everyone gathers in a room where the shades are drawn to recall Plato's cave and the secrecy that so many prior generations had to endure and still suffer individually. A bitter drink is served to recall their fate without celebration at this time and after some long minutes of silence thinking about it the leader of celebration will throw open the shades and turn on lights to celebrate that they have found each other and no longer have to live in fear. In oppressive countries this is modified to just turn on the lights or light lamps to symbolize the truth they know and cannot share. The celebration may be disguised as some popular religious holiday (hence the association with Easter and Passover in the west).
There is much hugging and expressions of how it is wonderful to be among friends celebrating knowledge and thought. Then all go to finish the preparations for the meal. The lamb is traditional in Greek cuisine as well as symbolic of sacrifice, though some atheists say laughingly that it symbolizes their triumph over christianity. Likewise asparagus is favored because it is a spring food, it was much beloved by ancient Greeks and Romans, and especially in its white form it resembles a phallus and so represents the atheists' lack of fear of homosexuality (some say to recall the widespread homosexuality of Greek intellectuals). A spring salad, often with some bitter herbs in the mix, is for health, a celebration of the spring, and similar to the bitter herbs eaten by Jews at Passover.
Lastly there is the much varied evergreen flavored alcoholic drink, or non-alcoholic punch. Notable liquors used include zirbenschnaps (sometimes called Zirbenz in America, made with young pinecones), Un Sapin (from France, made with pine buds and herbs), Jura Mountains Liquor (also from France), and homemade liquors. Because of the difficulty in finding or making such liquors occasionally gin or absinthe are substituted. Teetotalers often make a citrus punch with one bayleaf in it as the evergreen component, though usually it does not add much flavor to the mix. Children at the celebration are also often served Laurel Punch of some kind.
Since the holiday is not just a remembrance of the dead and still imperiled and is also a celebration of freedom of conscience after several rounds of drink it can become quite raucous. Frequently Socratic Hymns are sung including "Ever" (the Atheist' Hymn), "Born Secular", "Let Not the Hemlock be Forgotten", "Chevalier de La Barre", and often ending with the silly "Battle Hymn of the Atheist" about the time people start being carried about the room on chairs and bad jokes are being made. It is to be hoped that the dishes have already been cleaned before the serious drinking starts as it is traditional that no one should leave until all is put away.
After the drinking, stories, songs, and cleaning the last act is one of defiance. The house is perfumed with scents usually reserved to religious ceremonies and the gathered declare they do not fear ancient superstition using an ancient inscription from an anonomous tomb.
The hug and part their separate ways and thus ends Kinselday.
A Dispatch from The Ministry of Memory and Culture
The day starts with preparations for the afternoon meal. The celebrants work together in the kitchen preparing the food and setting up the table for later on. After the work is done everyone gathers in a room where the shades are drawn to recall Plato's cave and the secrecy that so many prior generations had to endure and still suffer individually. A bitter drink is served to recall their fate without celebration at this time and after some long minutes of silence thinking about it the leader of celebration will throw open the shades and turn on lights to celebrate that they have found each other and no longer have to live in fear. In oppressive countries this is modified to just turn on the lights or light lamps to symbolize the truth they know and cannot share. The celebration may be disguised as some popular religious holiday (hence the association with Easter and Passover in the west).
There is much hugging and expressions of how it is wonderful to be among friends celebrating knowledge and thought. Then all go to finish the preparations for the meal. The lamb is traditional in Greek cuisine as well as symbolic of sacrifice, though some atheists say laughingly that it symbolizes their triumph over christianity. Likewise asparagus is favored because it is a spring food, it was much beloved by ancient Greeks and Romans, and especially in its white form it resembles a phallus and so represents the atheists' lack of fear of homosexuality (some say to recall the widespread homosexuality of Greek intellectuals). A spring salad, often with some bitter herbs in the mix, is for health, a celebration of the spring, and similar to the bitter herbs eaten by Jews at Passover.
Lastly there is the much varied evergreen flavored alcoholic drink, or non-alcoholic punch. Notable liquors used include zirbenschnaps (sometimes called Zirbenz in America, made with young pinecones), Un Sapin (from France, made with pine buds and herbs), Jura Mountains Liquor (also from France), and homemade liquors. Because of the difficulty in finding or making such liquors occasionally gin or absinthe are substituted. Teetotalers often make a citrus punch with one bayleaf in it as the evergreen component, though usually it does not add much flavor to the mix. Children at the celebration are also often served Laurel Punch of some kind.
Since the holiday is not just a remembrance of the dead and still imperiled and is also a celebration of freedom of conscience after several rounds of drink it can become quite raucous. Frequently Socratic Hymns are sung including "Ever" (the Atheist' Hymn), "Born Secular", "Let Not the Hemlock be Forgotten", "Chevalier de La Barre", and often ending with the silly "Battle Hymn of the Atheist" about the time people start being carried about the room on chairs and bad jokes are being made. It is to be hoped that the dishes have already been cleaned before the serious drinking starts as it is traditional that no one should leave until all is put away.
After the drinking, stories, songs, and cleaning the last act is one of defiance. The house is perfumed with scents usually reserved to religious ceremonies and the gathered declare they do not fear ancient superstition using an ancient inscription from an anonomous tomb.
Do not pass by my epitaph, traveler.
But having stopped, listen and learn, then go your way.
There is no boat in Hades, no ferryman Charon,
No caretaker Aiakos, no dog Cerberus.
All we who are dead below
Have become bones and ashes, but nothing else.
I have spoken to you honestly, go on, traveler,
Lest even while dead I seem loquacious to you.
The hug and part their separate ways and thus ends Kinselday.
A Dispatch from The Ministry of Memory and Culture