Herk Bell Fest

The Herk Bell Fest is an Utlian festival that takes place from the morning of 9 Aracet to the evening of 10 Aracet. The primary festivities involve ceremonial bell ringing and celebrating civilization. Enshrined in 997 TT by Shym Liamia, it became among the first holidays enshrined in Utlia, marking the start of a major part of Utlian life. The largest Herk Bell celebrations are held in Kelna-Ut, where the Bell of Wyn is rung to signify the start of the festival.

History

Herk Menryn was an Utlian man who is credited with inventing the foundation for the modern Utlian city planning system along with the irrigation systems used across the island, he was born and lived his entire life in North Utlia, settling in Kelna as an adult. The bell oriented themes of the festival come from the tradition of having a large bell in the centre of towns and cities.

The festival was enshrined by Shym Liamia in 997 TT, Shym herself spent much of her childhood in north Utlia and Kelna, as such she had experience with the holiday prior to its canonization. As she grew, the festival itself spread beyond North Utlia and gained a prominent place in Balmor and Wynlia as well. On 23-8 997 Shym held a meeting with the Kiyr Committee that ended with them pledging to support the Herk Bell Fest.

Activities

Traditionally shrines will hold events during the first day of the festival, while on the second people will go to visit and pray.

Many districts and neighborhoods will setup a replica of the Bell of Wyn for people to ring, allegedly granting the ringer good luck until the next Herk Bell Fest.

Cultural significance

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