February 2 is the Day of Military Glory of Russia - Victory Day in the Battle of Stalingrad - established by the law “On the Days of Military Glory (Victory Days) of Russia” No. 32-FZ of March 13, 1995. Stalingrad, known as the Russian city of Tsaritsyn until 1925, and now Volgograd, is located on the banks of the longest European river flowing across the Russian plain, on the right bank of the Volga. The emergence of the legendary Tsaritsyn - Stalingrad - Volgograd in 1589 is due to its geographical location. During the period of the revival of Rus', it was initially assigned the role of a guard fortress protecting Russian lands from the threat of attack from the Crimean Khanate. Carrying out a fateful security mission, the city experienced more than one destruction from wars and riots. But the most terrible tragic events that demonstrated to the world the courage of Russian soldiers happened during the Great Patriotic War. The city, which at that time bore the name of the leader of the state, was a transport hub for the most important land and river routes that united the southern Russian lands with the center of the country. The fall of Stalingrad, according to the plan of the fascist command, should have ended with the end of the war in favor of Nazi Germany, since control of the Volga provided access to the oil riches of the Caucasus, to the most fertile lands of the Kuban and Don. The capture of Stalingrad would inevitably lead to the destruction of the communication link between the center and the south of the country, would complicate the general supply of the Soviet Army, and at the same time would make it easier for the Germans to attack the Caucasus. Trying to capture the most important strategic facility, Hitler sent a huge army to Stalingrad, twice the size of the Red Army in terms of the number of soldiers and equipment. Russian soldiers had one advantage over the enemy: unlike the fascists who started the world war, the Russians defended the Fatherland, for them the war was not a world war, but a Patriotic one. When the Fatherland is in danger, the superiority of the enemy does not matter. The Russians fought not with numbers, but with skill, as the greatest Russian commanders taught. In the summer of 1942, the greatest battles began on the banks of the Volga. Soviet soldiers showed courage, heroism, perseverance, and perseverance. In the fiercest battles, thousands of glorious defenders lost their lives, and thousands more were seriously injured. The Battle of Stalingrad lasted for six months. After 4 months of defensive battles, the offensive began on November 19, 1942. Fascist troops were defeated on February 2, 1943. The crushing defeat brought confusion to the ranks of the Nazis and their allies. The victorious outcome turned the course of the Second World War 180 degrees, giving the initiative to conduct military operations to the Soviet command and bringing victory over fascism closer. February 2 - On Victory Day in the Battle of Stalingrad, we will honor the memory of every soldier, officer who died on the battlefield or died in the post-war period. Let us bow to those who have lived to this day. Let the words about the lessons of military history not become an empty banal phrase, and let the millions of lives given for the victory over fascism appear every time in stern silence before the eyes of those who again and again try to start a war.

According to the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually. It falls on February 2, when this document was adopted in Iranian Ramsar. The main goal of the convention is to protect wetlands that contribute to the sustainable development of the biosphere. Swamps are an important link in the air cycle. Swamp plants enrich the air with oxygen, and peat, by absorbing harmful substances and binding CO2, reduces the greenhouse effect. In addition, swamps provide habitat for waterfowl and a reservoir of fresh water. The purpose of various events held on February 2 throughout the planet is to attract the attention of authorities and the public to the problems of sustainable development of wetlands. The fact that since 1971 the number of countries that have acceded to the Convention has increased from 18 to 160 shows how global the issues of conservation and rational use of wetlands are. Currently, about 570 million hectares of wetlands are protected on Earth, which is 6% of the land area. The presence of Ramsar sites is a condition for joining the treaty. In Russia, 35 sites with an area of ​​more than ten million hectares meet the Ramsar criteria necessary for inclusion in the List of international importance. A tenth of the country is occupied by swamps. In Asian Russia there is the “main world swamp” - Vasyugan, located between the Ob and Irtysh rivers. Vasyugan is an invaluable storehouse of natural resources: oil, natural gas, peat, forest, agro-climatic resources. The extraction and use of resources must be carried out using rational methods in order to avoid harmful effects on the quality of fresh water and the state of the habitat of the “indigenous” representatives of the flora and fauna of these lands.

On February 2, residents of Canada and the United States of America celebrate a bright and unusual holiday for our continent - Groundhog Day. This day, although not a public holiday, plays a significant role in the lives of ordinary people, and since 1889 has been part of the cultural heritage of America. According to a legend that has come down from time immemorial, marmots who wake up predict the weather. If, when crawling out of a hole, an animal sees its shadow, it means that winter will last another 6 weeks. And vice versa, the marmot, which does not leave a shadow, foreshadows the coming spring. Groundhog Day is celebrated in many states in its own way, however, the main predictor is Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog living in Pennsylvania. Every year since the 1880s, on February 2, several men belonging to the Groundhog Club, dressed in tuxedos and top hats, headed to Turkey Mountain in order to wake up Phil and check the weather for the start of field work. This ceremony is accompanied by officials. The governor himself arrives. Although, of course, not everyone believes in the predictions, since Phil’s predictions were only 38.5% true, but the first attempt was brilliant. The first predictions came true. And now no one remembers how many were accurate and how many failed predictions. This ceremony is accompanied by a large crowd of tourists who want to get a glimpse of this interesting tradition. And with the release of the acclaimed film “Groundhog Day,” where Phil Punxsutawney himself played the role of the groundhog, the popularity of the holiday grew so much that a year after the film’s release, the number of tourists for the holiday increased to 35 thousand. This is much more than the entire population of the town of Punxsutawney together with all the surrounding towns in Pennsylvania. On this day, various folk entertainments, street celebrations, and dances are held in many cities. Each state tries to create an individual holiday atmosphere. Although the holiday itself is not so unique. In ancient Rome there was Hedgehog Day, here hedgehogs worked as weather forecasters, in Germany they began to think about the weather with the awakening of badgers and bears. And then this tradition gradually migrated to the USA, and became one of the most beloved and interesting holidays.

The buzzword upgrade is used to mean upgrading computer software and other equipment, increasing the level of service on an airplane or upgrading a hotel room category. A person can improve himself thanks to new knowledge and experience gained after responding to the challenges thrown by fate. Personal growth is an integral part of success. "Don't forget to upgrade yourself periodically!" - psychologists call. February 2, when Self-Renewal Day is celebrated, is ideal for this procedure. Scientists say that with age, not only the metabolism in the body slows down. The older a person gets, the less inclined he is to change internally. It's not about habits or character, but about being open to new experiences. If the life path is divided into ten-year periods, then the biggest changes occur in 15-25 years. At 25-35 years old, personality changes are less noticeable, and from 35 to 45 the rate of self-renewal slows down significantly. On the one hand, it is obvious that as a person grows up, his goals and challenges to circumstances change. At the age of 19, you can look for the girl of your dreams with a clear idea of ​​what the ideal should look like: hair color, face shape, body parameters, character traits. At the age of 35, you come to the understanding that purple unicorns do not exist in nature, and the length of your legs and increased sexual temperament are not the key to successful partnerships. On the other hand, it’s bad that with age a person stops experiencing novelty of sensations and dreaming about the future, but continues to follow the beaten path - focusing on the present and the experience gained in the past. Psychologists say that you need to find the strength to go beyond your routine. Automatic actions and reactions are harmful to the brain and its functioning: it develops thanks to new knowledge and life circumstances. Self Renewal Day encourages you to get out of your comfort zone and engage in self-renewal. This can be both changes in purely everyday life (for example, studying meditation techniques), and the use of psychological strategies - setting goals to achieve in the future. Self-renewal is akin to a lizard shedding old skin during molting or a hermit crab that has become a small shell. It is worth asking the question why an expensive and beloved car needs tuning and maintenance, but its owner does not? After all, the psychological state and spiritual development of a person require no less attention and care. A good reason to engage in your own internal renewal is the celebration of Self Renewal Day. On this day, bold and unusual behavior, gaining new experiences and visualizing what you want are encouraged. A change in lifestyle, fresh reactions to people’s actions and events will create the desired shake-up and launch the process of self-renewal. Take care of yourself, listen to your desires and don’t put off solving pressing issues until later. It is for these purposes that an unusual holiday with deep meaning was invented - Self-Renewal Day.

In colloquial speech, interjections in the form of the letters “a” and “o” are used to express feelings. If a person cannot quickly find words during a conversation, then he says “uh-uh.” As a call to the interlocutor to continue a thought, “and?..” The letter “y” is often not used as an interjection; it is extremely rare at the beginning of a word, as, for example, in the name of the Yakut city YtykKyuyol or the village of the Komi Republic Yb. A funny holiday is called upon to correct this injustice - Y Day, which is celebrated on February 2. The 29th letter appeared in the alphabet of Cyril and Methodius during its creation in the 9th century. To write it, “b” (er) and “I” (and octal) were used. Therefore, until 1964, according to the spelling dictionary of D.N. Ushakova was called "era". In addition to the Russian language, it is found in Belarusian, Moldavian and Kyrgyz, until the 19th century. was present in the Bulgarian and Serbian alphabets. Scientists say that the vowel sound “y” existed in the proto-language of the Slavs. The holiday in honor of the 29th letter of the Russian alphabet is an excellent occasion to remember the words at the beginning of which it occurs. Usually they are toponyms used to designate geographical objects located in Estonia, Yakutia and the Komi Republic. In the Turkic and Kazakh languages, Ybyray, Yrgym, Yrsai, Yrymgul and similar male names are often found. Despite the fact that the letter is rarely used at the beginning of a word, in 1910 the Votkinsk and Kolomna plants produced more than 350 steam locomotives of the Y series. Locomotives with compound engines served for quite a long time and were decommissioned in 1950-1957. On November 29, a holiday dedicated to another vowel is celebrated - the Day of the letter Y. Therefore, it is not surprising that someone decided to come up with a celebration in honor of Y. Although in 2014 V.V. Zhirinovsky took the initiative to remove this letter from the alphabet. The LDPR leader explained his proposal by the sad experience of his son, who in childhood could not master the pronunciation of the sound “s” for a long time. Decades earlier, in 1964, during the reform of the Russian language, it was proposed to establish a grammatical rule according to which “i” should always be written after “ts”. But philologists defended historical traditions and left “era” at the root of the words “gypsy”, “on tiptoe” and “chicken”. Writers, screenwriters and film directors often played with Y in their creations. Science fiction writers Boris and Arkady Strugatsky wrote the story “It’s Hard to Be a God” in 1963. One of her characters, a naked boar, had the funny name Y. The 29th letter of the alphabet appears in the famous comedy by L. Gaidai “Operation “Y” and other adventures of Shurik.” The idea of ​​such an unusual title for the film belongs to the director of the film. L.I. Gaidai decided that the phrase “Operation Y” was striking in its absurdity. And this stupid name with the comment “So that no one guesses” should be voiced by Dunce - one of the three famous swindlers. In the film "Kin-dza-dza" G.N. Daneliya Y was used to denote joy and strong emotions by the Chatlans and Patsaks - the peoples inhabiting the planet Plyuk. The English acronym LOL is used on the Internet to convey laughter in writing. In the network jargon of Runet, its analogue Y is used. The musicians of the popular rock band of the 1990s also drew attention to the ancient Slavic “era”, calling it “AuktYon”. Anyone who wants to celebrate an unusual celebration in early February - Y Day - will be able to pay tribute to one of the vowel letters of the alphabet.

In the world, for every day there is always some kind of holiday, or even two or three. We have all heard about some, while others are celebrated only in certain countries, where they are given special significance. There is also a special category of funny holidays that are designed to simply cheer people up. This is what Hedgehog Day, which is celebrated on February 2, refers to. This holiday has a “double” - Groundhog Day. It is also celebrated on February 2 in the USA and Canada. Based on the behavior of marmots on this day, “weather forecasts” are made. In cloudy weather, the animal fearlessly leaves the hole, which marks the imminent end of winter. On sunny days, the groundhog may be afraid of its own shadow and refuse to leave the hole. It is believed that this is a sure sign of a long winter. The most interesting thing is that Groundhog Day came from Hedgehog Day. The holiday is much older than many might think. Even the inhabitants of Ancient Rome woke up hedgehogs on February 2 in order to make predictions for the coming months based on their behavior. When the formerly great empire fell, its traditions were adopted by a number of other European states. A similar holiday later appeared in Germany, but the Germans trusted other meteorologists of the animal world - badgers. Various sources contain information that they tried to predict the weather based on the behavior of bears, although this is hard to believe. It was the Germans, who adopted the holiday from the Romans, who added this tradition to the USA, where there were no hedgehogs or badgers, but there were marmots. Today Hedgehog Day has joined the ranks of forgotten holidays. It was replaced by Groundhog Day, which was first successfully integrated into American culture and then popularized throughout the world. Most people associate hedgehogs with cute, funny animals that timidly wander around at night and happily accept gifts from humans in the form of a saucer of milk. This image was created in cartoons and children's books, where families of hedgehogs wander single file through the forest to their hole, pricking apples and mushrooms on needles. In fact, hedgehogs are cunning and dangerous predators with sharp teeth that don’t even eat apples. These fruits are used for completely different purposes. According to one version, apples impaled on needles release juice, which contains a lot of acid. It gets on the skin of the animal and destroys the parasites that bite it. The bites cause severe itching, and because of the needles the animal cannot stop it and scratch itself. Other scientists believe this is a misconception, and that hedgehogs are generally not capable of pricking food on their needles. Hedgehogs are omnivorous animals. They feed mainly on worms, caterpillars, beetles and snails, but will never deny themselves the pleasure of eating lizards, bird eggs, frogs or baby mice. Hedgehogs prefer berries from plant foods. Giving them cow's milk is not a good idea. This product is not included in their natural diet, so hedgehogs do not have enzymes to break down lactose. Although the animals will happily drink the contents of a saucer carefully left by a person, milk causes poisoning in them with an upset stomach and can even lead to death. If you really want to please the night guest, it is better to give him some minced meat, boiled liver, raw fish, eggs or fruit. Under no circumstances should animals be treated to meat with skin. Pieces of chicken or turkey will cause gastronomic ecstasy in them, but the fatty skin can provoke intestinal volvulus. By the way, this rule applies not only to hedgehogs, but also to pets that eat meat. Hedgehogs go out hunting exclusively at night. They never go far from their burrows and jealously protect their own territory from their relatives. They have poor eyesight, which they compensate for with excellent hearing. They jump, swim and run quite quickly, with good maneuverability. Hedgehogs do not like their relatives and prefer to live alone, leaving their mother within a month after birth. These charming animals live next door to us. Scientists have found that more and more hedgehogs are moving closer to cities, where their natural enemies - owls and badgers - are not present. On Hedgehog Day, don’t forget to leave the house and put out a treat for the night guest, who will not fail to drop by for a peek during his next outing.

Sled Dog Day is celebrated annually around the world on February 2. This international holiday is celebrated by owners of Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, Samoyeds, Laikas, and other sled dog breeds, which for many years have helped transport people and goods on sleds. They are used for traction on snow or ice. Dog sleds began to be used in the northern regions several thousand years ago. During the expedition to the North Pole in 1909, Robert Peary also could not do without sled dogs. They helped to overcome distances and Raoul Amundsen at the South Pole in 1911. During the polar expedition from Uelen to Murmansk, the longest journey by dog ​​sled was 10 thousand kilometers. Thanks to the hardy and courageous representatives of sledding breeds, residents of the Arctic regions had the opportunity to travel through snowy territories before airplanes and cars were invented. The most famous event involving sled dogs is the Great Race of Mercy, which took place in 1925. Then, in a small town in Alaska, which, due to bad weather, was cut off from the outside world, it was possible to quickly deliver anti-diphtheria serum and save the residents during the outbreak of the epidemic. During the trip, the sleds were driven by 20 drivers, and the team included 150 dogs of such breeds as Alaskan Malamute and Husky. The vital cargo was passed on by the drivers to each other in a relay race. They managed to cover a distance of 1085 km in just six days, while the air temperature varied from -30 to -52 degrees. When the race was already coming to an end, a strong snowstorm began and several sled dogs died. Sled Dog Day is a good opportunity to tell everyone about the qualities of these animals, such as loyalty, intelligence, endurance and courage. Many sled dog enthusiasts dedicate this day to raising funds for shelters and other charities that help homeless dogs and protect them from cruelty. Also on February 2, you can visit one of the local shelters and spend time with the pets who are forced to live there. Among them there are often representatives of sledding breeds, which often run away from their owners. These dogs will be very happy to have another walk in the fresh air and tasty treats. It is possible that you will want to shelter one of them in your home. If you have long dreamed of a husky, malamute or husky, then on this day you can also go to sled dog breeders and choose a puppy who will later become your most devoted and reliable friend.

February 2 - Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day - celebrated annually, has important functions and disseminates detailed information about the disease. It was created by a non-profit organization that helps patients with rheumatoid arthritis, making their lives easier and better. Thanks to the work of the fund (Rheumatoid Patient Foundation), it appeared and was established in 2013, it refers to international holidays (Rheumatoid Awareness Day) and is called rheumatoid arthritis awareness day. What is it needed for? To increase and expand public knowledge about this disease. Give more information, draw attention to the need for research, searching for ways and methods of solution. According to unofficial data, more than 1,000,000 Russian citizens and more than 20,000,000 inhabitants of the planet suffer from this disease. A chronic disease occurs when there are serious disturbances in the human immune system and a decrease in its active functioning; as a result of such a failure, the connective tissue of the joints is affected, and inflammation appears. The most insidious of all rheumatic diseases. It develops slowly, but appears suddenly and is therefore very dangerous. The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis have not yet been established, but factors have been found that contribute to the development of the disease. These may include infections, hormonal disorders, and genetic predisposition. Additional negative risks include: hypothermia, stress, intoxication, excessive physical activity. Symptoms include swelling and redness of the skin in the joint area, stiffness and pain that increases with movement, weakness, fatigue, and possible subcutaneous nodules. The disease is systemic and affects not only the joints, but also other organs (human systems). It occurs in all age groups, even in children. The cause of arthritis is not a failure of the functions of an individual joint, but a change in the natural settings of the immune system, the cells of which produce special proteins. They accelerate inflammation, support it, resulting in destruction of joint tissue, bone tissue, and other organs suffer. The pathology is localized in the joints, fingers, knees or heels. At the first stage, in the absence of early symptoms, it is very difficult to detect the onset of the disease, so it is important not to waste time. Starting treatment before serious pathologies appear will help avoid the development of complications. It is necessary to visit a rheumatologist to prescribe a set of therapeutic measures and the necessary therapy. Complex treatment methods significantly relieve pain and stop the rapid development of the disease. A serious illness affects everyday life, leading to disability in 70%, so early diagnosis and timely medical care are very important. You need to know that there are more than 200 rheumatic diseases, not all arthritis is the same and each has its own characteristics. The main goal of the international holiday, which was called Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day: to unite the efforts of doctors, the public and patients to address issues of prevention, early and rapid diagnosis, medical and social rehabilitation of patients with this disease. Attracting the attention of the general public around the world to an important problem, improving and significantly increasing information about rheumatoid arthritis in all its forms and manifestations. Only updating the problem, prevention, new methods and solutions will help eliminate risk factors, reduce morbidity and disability, and significantly improve the quality of life. It is very important not to neglect your health and carefully monitor the condition of your body.

What comes to your mind when Hawaii is mentioned in conversation? Colorful shirts with eye-catching patterns, exotic cocktails in glasses made of coconuts and lush leis made of flowers, and also small guitars. To the accompaniment of one of these musical instruments, Israel Kamakawiwoole, nicknamed The Gentle Giant, performed his famous medley of songs by Louis Armstrong and Judy Garland, which later became classics. On February 2, the world celebrates International Ukulele Day. In its native lands it was given a different name - “ukulele”, which is translated from Hawaiian as “jumping flea”. This is a very miniature guitar that resembles a toy. It has only four strings, but the musical instrument is very popular. For the first time, plucked musical instruments, reminiscent of the modern ukulele, appeared in Europe more than five centuries ago. At that time, string production reached a new level. Guitars and mandolins were made in famous workshops, but the technology itself was quite complex, which led to the high final cost of the instruments. Bards, minstrels, or simply traveling musicians earned their living by performing songs during their long travels. Their income was below average, so not every musician could afford an expensive guitar. Due to the increasing demand for cheaper instruments, an alternative emerged - the miniature plucked instrument cavaquinho or macheti. It had twelve frets and only four strings. The instrument was popular in Portugal. It is believed that the first macheti-based ukulele was made by three cabinetmakers - Manuel Nunez, José do Espirito Santo and Augusto Diaz in 1879 on the island of Madeira. Subsequently, at the end of the 19th century, it was brought to Hawaii, which became its second home. The first small guitars made on the islands cost only 75 cents—a fairly small sum by those standards. Initially, Hawaiians did not like the four-string ukulele at all. The Portuguese even deliberately staged concerts to charm the local public. The sounds that the instrument made were liked only by the Hawaiian monarch David Kalakaua. He began taking ukulele lessons from one of the Portuguese immigrants. He liked the little guitar so much that he added it to the list of musical instruments of the royal orchestra. Gradually, the Hawaiian hula dance and folk songs began to be performed to the accompaniment of the ukulele. Hawaiians have reconsidered their attitude towards the four-string guitar. They liked the fact that it was made from wood. In Hawaii, residents revered trees as symbols of nature. To make ukuleles, local craftsmen began to use acacia koa, which grew in abundance on the islands. Previously, folk songs were performed only to the drum. It is believed that the instrument received its unusual name “jumping flea” due to the fact that the musician’s fingers literally jump along the fingerboard while playing. The ukulele has become widespread far beyond Hawaii. The instrument is loved by both professional musicians and amateurs. American astronaut Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to set foot on the moon, loved to play the ukulele in his spare time. In the cult American film Some Like It Hot, the heroine Marilyn Monroe also plays a small ukulele during her performance in the orchestra. It is believed that learning to play this instrument is quite simple. The small ukulele suddenly became popular even in Japan. The Japanese managed to set a world record. On July 28, 2012, 2,134 people in Yokohama simultaneously played a ukulele song. Although the length of a ukulele is usually no more than 1 meter, there are record holders. The largest ukulele is 3 meters 99 centimeters long. Such dimensions should have changed the sound of the instrument, but the giant guitar produces the same sounds as traditional small instruments.

Everyone knows that church holidays play an important role in the lives of all Western Christians. One of these symbolic holidays is the Presentation of the Lord. Every year on February 2, Western Christians celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. It is not surprising that this Catholic holiday was established in memory of the rite of purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of the baby Jesus. Previously, it was believed that if a woman gave birth to a son, then she was not completely “clean” for 7 days, and she was also forbidden to enter the temple and attend various cults for 33 days after giving birth. The great meeting of Jesus and the wise old man Simeon took place in the Temple on the 40th day of his birth, where the righteous Simeon called Jesus nothing else, but “a light to enlighten the pagans.” It is known that until the 8th century this day had no special significance, and no magnificent celebrations were planned. But since the beginning of the 8th century, February 2 became one of the 12 general church holidays, since on this day an all-night vigil and a religious procession were held, after so many terrible disasters that took the lives of thousands of people, namely an earthquake and a pestilence. More recently, this holiday began to be called Candlemas. Every year on this day, from 11 o’clock at night, a ritual of lighting all the candles is performed in the church, which burn brightly after the ceremony during the entire service. Blessing candles are kept for a whole year, and in moments of illness, bad luck and other troubles they are lit and turned to Christ in prayer. Nowadays, this holiday has another meaning: the end of winter. With the long-awaited arrival of the Meeting, winter ends and spring begins. But if the weather on this day is not pleasant, winter will last until March, and maybe more. In certain cities and countries, this holiday also includes other celebrations. For example, in famous Sicily, women wash themselves with dew, thereby performing a ritual of complete cleansing on the top of a mountain. This is such a difficult procession for Italian women on the eve of the holiday. Lighted candles on this day help to find the bodies of dead people in the water. This ritual is performed in coastal areas. And it is possible that they are found this way. The memory of the rite of purification is embedded precisely in this holiday, which clearly gives all the explanations of the first days and weeks of the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

It was on February 2, 1996 that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in accordance with the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, initiated the holding of the Forum of Azerbaijani Youth. A huge number of people took part in this forum - more than 2 thousand representatives of various youth organizations from all over the republic. The purpose of the forum was to distribute responsibilities between government bodies, youth associations and separately to each young person. By the way, about 170 youth organizations are officially registered in Azerbaijan. One of the main tasks facing the organizations was organizing and conducting events aimed at developing youth, providing assistance in quickly and effectively resolving youth problems of various types. And already in 1997, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a decree according to which February 2 was declared the Youth Day of Azerbaijan. The Youth Festival is held once every three years. On the eve of the forum, several months in advance, district and city events and conferences are held throughout the republic. During these meetings, delegates to the forum are selected and reports from the heads of local youth and sports departments are heard, where they report on the work carried out and the results obtained. According to the Ministry of Education, more than one and a half million young people are receiving education in the country. Youth (citizens under 30 years of age) make up 66 percent of the population. State policy regarding youth involves the adoption of decrees and orders aimed at solving various problems of youth - social, economic. This also includes government programs that promote the development of young people’s abilities. These events have a positive impact on the formation of youth values, their organization, spiritual and ideological formation, and ensure effective employment. Conditions are created for spiritual development, patriotic education, and study abroad. Thanks to one of the government programs, thousands of young boys and girls receive education at the most prestigious universities. Particular attention is paid to the development of sports and its introduction to the masses. Azerbaijan is recognized as one of the leading sports powers around the world. This is evidenced by the activities of numerous sports complexes, the holding of prestigious international competitions in the country, and the successful performances of athletes at the Olympics and international competitions.

According to the folk calendar, Efimov's day is celebrated on February 2 (January 20, old style). Its name originates from the church day of honoring St. Euthymius the Great, famous for his humility and love for the Lord in the 5th century. From his youth, Euthymius devoted himself to the church, became a monk, and earned the position of presbyter. After 30 years, wanting to be alone with God, he secretly left the monastery and went into the desert to indulge in prayers in silence. The Almighty endowed the saint with the ability to heal the sick through prayer, and Euthymius helped those in need. He also founded a monastery on the site of his monastery. On Efimov's Day, engaged couples were in a hurry to get married. This rush was due to the fact that the Great Easter Lent was approaching, during which it was necessary to restrain oneself in food and entertainment. Before Lent, people could set lavish tables with meat dishes and alcoholic drinks, and also order musicians. The month of February itself was considered a snowstorm. Strong blizzards often arose. The people believed that evil spirits, the souls of the dead, or the Devil himself turned into evil blizzards in order to harm humanity. They covered roads with snow and tore roofs off houses. If anyone fell under a snowstorm, he fell ill with an incurable disease. To protect themselves from the whirlwind, they threw a sharpened knife at it. People said that if a baby was born on Efimov’s Day, he might not live to see his gray hairs. Therefore, midwives performed a ritual to protect the child. After giving birth, his umbilical cord was hidden in the hollow of a lonely tree and they were charmed for longevity. A lost mitten, according to legend on Efimov's day, meant the onset of poverty. It was impossible to pick up pennies from the ground, otherwise three years of famine in the family were expected. If someone accidentally cut their hand with a knife, a loved one became infected with the disease. Blizzards on Efimov's Day predicted a cold spring with snow. A sunny day promised a warm spring season. Looking at the cat sharpening its claws on the floor, we waited for the approaching blizzard. The sun peeking out from behind the clouds in the afternoon meant summer with showers, and windy weather promised a wet year.

The First World War claimed millions of lives, but for the small country of Estonia it became the beginning of a new history. On February 2, 1920, a fateful agreement was signed in the city of Tartu, as a result of which the independent state of Estonia appeared on the world map. Modern Estonia remembers this memorable day, so every year a holiday is held in honor of the signing of this important political document - the Day of Signing of the Tartu Treaty. The signing of the agreement was preceded by a number of events that took place in Tartu, namely: • occupation of Tartu from February 1918 to November 1918; • occupation by Soviet troops from December 1918 to January 1919; • liberation of Tartu by the Estonian army in January 1919 The first attempt to conclude a peace agreement took place on December 4, 1919. In Tartu, on the street. Aya, No. 5 (the new name of Vanemuise street) representatives of both countries gathered. Representatives of Estonia were Jaan Poska, Mait Puaman, Ants Piip, Major General Ants Soots, and the Soviet delegation was headed by the famous Bolshevik L. Krasin, who was later replaced by A. Joffe. The Bolsheviks agreed to recognize the independence of Estonia already at that time, but the parties could not agree at that time, since they demanded from the Estonians the dissolution of the North-Western Army and, in addition to this, guarantees that Estonia would close its borders to troops hostile to the Bolsheviks. Later, the delegation met several more times to discuss the borders of both states, guarantees, and economic issues. It all ended on February 2, when, at almost one in the morning, an important state document was finally signed, according to which Bolshevik Russia did not lay claim to Estonian territory and did not interfere in the political and economic life of the state. The Treaty of Tartu became the first peace agreement concluded with the Bolsheviks in world history, and for the Estonians themselves it became an “entrance ticket” to a new life. Today, that historical day is celebrated in the country by hanging national flags on the facades of municipal buildings and residential buildings; in addition, commemorative events and festive concerts are held throughout the country.

Orthodox holidays on February 2:

Euthymius the Great (377-473) is a saint, founder of the monastic movement and founder of monasteries in the deserts of Palestine. Believers called the elder the Great for his loyalty to Orthodoxy and inflexibility against heresy. Christians recognize Euthymius the Great as a model of firm faith, hard work and obedience. Orthodox and Catholics pray to the saint for help to the childless or hungry. The Lord sent down the gift of healing and insight to Euthymius. The fame of the miracle worker spread beyond Palestine. The sufferers reached out for help, and God, through the hands of Euthymius, performed a miracle. • He fed 400 Armenians on their way to the Jordan. The crowd came to a monastery where there was no shortage of food, wine and oil. Then the Holy Spirit told the elder that the brothers and strangers would drink and eat to their fill. And for three months the cell did not run short of bread, and the jugs of wine; • He healed Terevon, the son of the Saracen military leader Aspevet, from paralysis. The elder appeared to the youth in a dream, promised healing and called him to the monastery. Father, son and a crowd of Saracens came to the saint. The monk overshadowed the sick man with the sign of the cross, and his illness left him. The barbarians believed in Christ, and the holy father baptized those who came, and then their families;• He delivered Terevon’s wife from infertility, marking the spouses three times with the sign of the cross;• With prayer he cast out the demon of fornication, who left his brother with a cry and filled the air with the smell of burnt sulfur;• He clothed himself in the fire that descended to the altar, and stood in the flames during the service;• He predicted that the keeper of the vessels of the Church of the Holy Resurrection, Anastasius, would become the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and that blessed Sava would become Sava the Sanctified;• He saw the day of his death. The saint revered silence in worship, meals and work. He taught obedience, patience, constant vigilance of the spirit and its improvement in humility and silence. The Lord gave Euthymius life in response to prayers. When Christians from Armenia, Paul and Dionysia, swore to give their unborn son to the service of the Almighty, the baby saw the light in the city of Melitina. Euthymius was 3 years old when his mother took him to Priest Otrius, and he took him to the bishop. The novice rose from the lowest levels of the church ladder to the rank of priest and ruled the monasteries of Melitina for 10 years. At the age of 30, Euthymius, leaving honors, chose the life of Jesus Christ. The monk’s wanderings led him to the Faran Lavra, where he met the like-minded monk Theoktistus. During the fast between Epiphany and Palm Sunday, the brothers went to pray in the Kutila desert, where they occupied a cave in a gorge hidden from view. The shepherds spread rumors about the hermits and wanderers flocked to the brothers. Near the cave, a cenovia was formed, and later the Lower Monastery. Theoktist ruled the community, and Euthymius was its spiritual father. Believers wanted to live near the monk and built churches and cells. But the saint went into caves at a distance from the monasteries, until a voice from above forbade him to leave his parishioners. Soon 11 disciples gathered near the monk. Euthymius asked Peter, the church-going Saracen Aspevet, to build a church and cells. This is how the Lavra of Euthymius the Great appeared. The elder knew the date of his death. One day, 3 days before Great Lent, when the elder had to go away for 40 days to pray, he called his disciples. He ordered the brothers to create a monastery, showed them where to build cells, gave the last instructions and went to church. Euthymius the Great reposed on February 2, 473. He was 97 years old.

Memorial Day of St. Euthymius of Syangzhemsky