Personentagen

Personentagen is a German term whose meaning varies by context and locality. Literally translating to “days of persons” or “days for people,” the expression is used in different domains to denote occasions centered on individuals. It is not a single, formally defined observance with a universal calendar in the way that saints’ feast days or national holidays are.

In liturgical and religious usage, similar phrases have appeared to refer to days devoted to particular figures or eminent persons within a tradition, but Personentagen itself is not a standardized category in contemporary church calendars. In secular and cultural contexts, the term is more commonly found as the title or theme of events such as festivals, lectures, or exhibitions whose programs highlight certain individuals or biographical topics. These uses are typically local, temporary, and tied to a specific organization, institution, or community.

Because of its broad and informal nature, Personentagen does not point to a single, widely recognized institution or schedule. Rather, it signals a focus on persons as subjects of commemoration, study, or celebration, with meanings that shift according to who adopts the term and for what purpose.

See also: Name day, Feast day, Biography, Cultural festival, Event name conventions.