INTRODUCTION FOR MILLENNIA LIFE DAY WAS A festival celebrated only by the Wookiees of the planet Kashyyyk It was centered on the fabled Tree of Life thought by the Wookiees to be the source of all life both on their lush green world and in the stars beyond At its heart the festival celebrated the core truths of Wookiee civilization family love and happiness The Wookiees held this meaning dear even in their darkest days so much so that Life Day spread throughout throughout the New Republic and was adopted on worlds from the Deep Core to the Outer Rim and beyond Its message message was clear no matter where you were from or what you looked like you could share in the hope that tomorrow tomorrow would be better and that if you loved and cared for
others whatever your differences you would ensure that the darkness never extinguished the light Of course Life Day isn't unique Many planets and cultures have midwinter celebrations of their own born from ancient times when people huddled on the coldest of nights dreaming of the warmth of days to come On Coruscant there is Solstice Tide on New Alderaan there is the Festival of Winter's Heart The Ewoks of the sanctuary sanctuary moon of Endor tell tales of the White Fall while the Mon Calamari celebrate the Turning of the Year's Tide Even the Hutts wicked as so many of their number seem on the surface mark the Funton a Charakoon or the Festival of the Thousand Suns when clan rivalries and blood feuds are forgotten at least for one night and revelry lasts until the dawn breaks on a new day Whatever the lore the celebrations themselves bear startling similarities Gifts are exchanged and loved ones dine together sharing feasts both grand and humble There are songs and there are games Dwellings are decorated decorated and traditions observed but most of all there are
stories shared with friends and relatives around crackling fires and flickering glow rods Between these pages you will find just a small selection selection of these festive tales legends and myths that speak of love and kinship peace and caring and most important important of all hope for tomorrow Here's to a happy Life Day for us all now and forever ix
