One of the richest, most joyful and longest holidays is considered to be the New Year according to the lunar calendar. The tradition of celebrating this New Year came to the world from China, so another name for this holiday is Chinese New Year. This event is celebrated for two weeks, and each day has its own special meaning, rituals and traditions. The tourist will be lucky to be in China during the celebration of the Chinese New Year - after all, he will receive not only aesthetic pleasure from contemplating everything that is happening around him - but also pleasant memories of rituals and traditions that are filled with kindness, sincerity and complacency. Of course, the celebration of the New Year according to the lunar calendar is timed to coincide with the day 15 days before the full moon - the first full moon of spring, so the start of the celebration can fall on any day from February 12 to 19. Traditional events take place every day on these days. So, on the first day of a noisy, cheerful feast, firecrackers and firecrackers explode, the family remembers the deceased and congratulates each other on the New Year, wishing a fruitful next year. This day is dedicated to the gods of Heaven and Earth, family and family values. The food that is customary to eat these days has its own symbolic meaning, has some purpose, and therefore is also an important symbol of the celebration of this significant holiday. It is interesting that each day of the next 15 has its own goals and traditions, for example, the second day is considered the birthday of each dog; on this day, it is customary for the inhabitants of East Asia to feed each dog, to honor it and to cajole it in every possible way. There are days during which it is customary to sit at home and devote time to your family and yourself, while on others, on the contrary, it is necessary to pay visits to friends, acquaintances and relatives. In general, the New Year according to the lunar calendar is dedicated to the celebration of spring, its gifts, harvest and fertility. The New Year according to the lunar calendar ends with a festival of lanterns, which is called the Lantern Festival. Then the streets of China, Thailand and many other Asian countries take on a bizarre appearance, the decorations that people come up with are amazing lanterns in the shape of animals, the Chinese decorate them with thousands of lights and drawings. The streets turn into an amazing colorful and beautiful romantic world of lights, rustling lanterns, and a fabulous perception of the arrival of spring.

In the bustle of everyday life, people rushing about business hardly look at those around them, glancing over them with an indifferent gaze. Few people think that each person in a faceless crowd has a unique inner world that is reflected on their face. Its expression and features allow us to draw conclusions about the mental qualities and state of health of the individual. An unusual holiday encourages you to become more attentive and observant - Face Examination Day, which is celebrated on February 10. Physiognomy is a multifaceted and precise science studied by intelligence officers around the world. Sometimes it is referred to as unconventional psychoanalysis, because from a person’s face one can draw conclusions not only about his character traits, but also about his emotional state at a given moment in time. After “removing information” and analysis, a communication model is built that allows you to achieve your goals. Reading a person's face is in demand not only by foreign and domestic intelligence services. Business representatives turn to physiognomists before conducting important negotiations and concluding deals, and company directors turn to them when hiring employees. The ability to carefully examine faces and analyze facial expressions helps in everyday life to avoid meanness, theft and other negative consequences of communicating with unfamiliar people. The main character of the American TV series Lie to Me, Dr. Lightman, believes that all people lie. It only takes him a few minutes to talk or watch a person to understand whether he is lying or telling the truth. A deceiver can be betrayed by any movement of the facial muscles, a gesture or a careless word. Lightman, as an expert in lies, helps the police in finding criminals, relying on his knowledge of physiognomy. A person, developing his senses, activates the work of certain parts of the brain, which is reflected in his face and behavior. An endocrinologist concludes that the patient has Graves' disease based on bulging eyes, a bulging goiter on the neck, and excessive sweating. An osteopath on facial asymmetry will talk about childhood injuries, chronic diseases and dental interventions in the maxillofacial apparatus. An experienced physiognomist will describe in detail a person’s character, behavior pattern depending on the situation, and talk about the events of his past. The forehead is responsible for the intellectual sphere, the nose - for responsibility and goal-setting, the jaw - for the attitude towards material values. Facial symmetry and asymmetry is considered a basic element of analysis. Different hemispheres of the brain are responsible for logical thinking and creativity. The right is considered feminine, the left is considered masculine. The predominance of one or the other hemisphere increases depending on gender. In men with pronounced asymmetry, it is considered a good sign if the right half of the face is dominant. If the left side is actively expressed (more eyes or ears, the nose goes to the left, there is a dimple on the cheek, etc.), this indicates that he has developed intuition and imagination, since feminine energy predominates. A person’s face is formed by the age of 14. Despite the fact that the shape of the ears changes over the years, they are also taken into account when drawing up the characteristics, as are the drooping corners of the eyes, the hump on the nose and the shape of the nostrils. Playing, pronounced nodules indicate the presence of strong-willed qualities, a developed square jaw indicates the determination and intransigence of the owner. The Day of Looking at Faces invites everyone to make these and other discoveries.

A diplomat is an official who represents and defends the interests of a particular state on the world stage. With the development of international relations in the 21st century, the importance of representatives of this profession has increased incredibly. Diplomacy in the Russian Federation is represented by a specialized department called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Russian government, through Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated October 31, 2002 No. 1279, approved February 10 as the official Day of Diplomatic Worker. It is believed that the celebration of Russian Diplomatic Worker's Day falls on February 10, since on this day, in 1549, a department called the Ambassadorial Prikaz was formed in the vastness of the Russian Empire, which was engaged in foreign policy activities. Later, in 1802, Emperor Alexander I created the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has its own coat of arms and flag, which certainly proves the importance of this government body. The importance of diplomacy in the rapidly developing world of international communications cannot be overestimated. Thanks to the high intellectual potential and professionalism of workers in the field of diplomacy, the Russian Federation successfully cooperates with the European Union and maintains partnerships with 189 countries of the world. Being dedicated to their work, Russian diplomats not only represent the interests of their country in the global economic and political community, but also literally protect it by going to so-called “hot spots” and other regions where there is no political stability. One of the most popular universities where future diplomats study is MGIMO. Every year, graduates of this university join the ranks of young professionals who are ready to maintain the image of their state at the highest level in the eyes of foreign allies. On this festive day, congratulations are accepted by everyone who has connected their lives with diplomacy: employees, students, and honorary veterans of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not only from relatives and friends, but also from top officials of the state.

On February 10, 1837 in St. Petersburg, in his apartment on the Moika,12 the voice of Russia’s cultural heritage fell silent. The greatest master of literature died from a wound received in a duel with Dantes. February 10 is a mournful, tragic date. Memorial Day of the great Russian poet and writer Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. His name is forever imprinted in golden letters in the history of world literature. After the fatal duel at the Black River, Russian literature suffered an irreparable loss. The works of A.S. Pushkin are included in the golden fund of world classics. His life and work are widely studied throughout the world, many books and memoirs have been written about him. The biography of the great writer is carefully studied by the mighty minds of our time. During his short life, Alexander Sergeevich gave the world many imperishable works, each of which became a masterpiece passed on from generation to generation. Fairy tales, poems, novels, prose - he succeeded in everything and came out brilliantly. In Russian and world literature there is no such genius, whose creative heritage would be so diverse and unique. The death of the great poet shook St. Petersburg, and after it the whole of Russia. More than 50 thousand people came to say goodbye to him. The outstanding writer of Russia was called a genius during his lifetime, and most of his followers in the literary niche, according to the statements of I.S. Turgenev, considered it an honor to follow the path paved by him. All of Russia mourns this loss to this day. On February 10, huge festivals, literary readings, competitions and, dedicated to the tragic fate of a historical figure, performances by poets and writers of our time are held. From the moment the sad news about the death of the poet swept over Russia, the name of A.S. Pushkin became inextricably linked with the name of Russia. Any association about Russia certainly brings to mind the image of a literary genius. He left too early, left at the peak of his strength, but he spent all the years allotted to him on literature, giving it his all. And he glorified, glorified his lot, his creativity, his country.

Every year the problem of overpopulation of the planet becomes more and more dangerous. To survive, humanity needs constant resources, and the most important thing, without which it is impossible to survive, is food. Total hunger no longer seems such an illusory problem as before. This problem is increasingly being raised at the congresses of the UN General Assembly. One possible solution, according to many experts, is leguminous crops. According to one of the UN initiatives, 2016 was declared the World Year of Pulses, and already in 2018, the government of the Republic of Burkina Faso at the next congress made a proposal to declare February 10 as World Pulses Day. This way, humanity will have the opportunity to remember that today it is worth using all opportunities to avoid world hunger. When it comes to legumes, most people will name peas, beans, lentils and soybeans. Humanity learned to cultivate them a long time ago. Ripe grains in pods, sometimes young pods, are eaten. Every cuisine in the world has traditional dishes whose main ingredient is legumes. What's the secret? Legumes have many benefits: With all their advantages, legumes also have a low cost, so growing legumes in certain regions can already solve the problem of hunger today. Pulses are ideal for growing on an agricultural scale, especially in the arid African climate. They help improve soil fertility, do not require special care and are unpretentious to watering and fertilizers. But the harvested crop can be stored for a long time. The International UN Organization created the World Pulses Day holiday in order to attract governments of different countries, private farmers and large agricultural producers to popularize the cultivation of legumes in their regions, as well as to constantly improve cultivation and storage methods. Only through joint efforts can we achieve results and prevent world hunger!

One of the ancient Slavic holidays has survived to this day - the Day of Treating the Brownie, or Velesichi. It is customary to celebrate this holiday on February 10 (according to the old style - January 28). The day of treating the brownie is also called Kudes (tambourines). Judging by the name of the holiday, it can be assumed that our ancestors used to communicate on this day with the brownie or simply have fun to the sounds of music. Another name - Velesichi - reminds that on February 10 it is customary to honor the god Veles, as well as his children and warriors - Velesichi. Among them there are those who moved to earth from heaven and now live with people. Velesichs caught in the field are called field; into water - water; into the forest - goblin. And those who settled in the house are called brownies. A brownie is a kind spirit that protects a home. He helps a close-knit, friendly, hardworking family, but scares those who sow discord and do not take care of their home and household. If the brownie loves the inhabitants of the home, then he warns of impending troubles and troubles. If he doesn’t like something, then the spirit begins to break dishes, scream, stomp and otherwise show his displeasure. Also, the spirit of the house can help in finding the missing item. To do this, you need to ask him for help or stand in the corner of the room and say: “Brownie, you played, now give it back!” On February 10th, it is customary to appease the brownie. They do it as follows. A new, pure white tablecloth without any patterns is laid out on the dining table. If you don’t have one, then instead of a tablecloth you can use a white scarf or a piece of material. A white dish (preferably also without pictures) with a treat for the brownie is placed on the tablecloth or its replacement. Freshly baked bread or pie can serve as a treat. Along with the dish with the treat, you need to put a glass of water or wine on the tablecloth and put some kind of sweet (for example, candy, an unwrapped lollipop). You can also put coins on the plate (preferably coins), as well as a doll and a new deck of cards. Coins are needed for the brownie to provide wealth for the family. In the morning they need to be collected in a tight opaque bag and put on the top shelf or mezzanine until next year. Using a doll and cards, you can determine the gender of the spirit of the house. If the next morning the deck of cards is moved or disappeared, you have a male brownie; if the doll disappears or changes position, a female spirit lives in the house.

Residents of East Asian countries celebrate the New Year according to the lunisolar calendar. It is based on the growing season of plant development. Agriculture and its cycles have been a vital part of human life for thousands of years. Paying tribute to tradition, the Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Thais, Japanese and other Asian peoples celebrate the New Year in late January or early February, when spring arrives. The date of the holiday depends on the time of the second new moon after the winter solstice. On this day, Koreans celebrate Seollal, which means “Korean New Year.” The Seollal celebration lasts 3 days. The celebration is held in the family circle in an atmosphere of deep reverence for children, parents and deceased relatives. During the New Year it is not customary to work and fuss. Sollal encourages you to think, analyze your life and try to achieve inner balance. In honor of the new year, Koreans prepare ritual dishes (tteokguk rice soup, jeon pancakes, japchae noodles) and commemorate the departed by placing treats on the chesa (home altar). The main entertainment throughout the holiday for adults and children is flying kites, competitions in cheginkhach (a type of football), and the ancient game of yunnori. Its chips in the form of farm animals are still used by Korean farmers to tell fortunes, predicting who will be able to raise livestock the fastest. Residents of Seoul gather to celebrate the New Year in the city's central square. At midnight, the mayor rings the bell, the sound of which, according to ancient Korean beliefs, drives away troubles and illnesses. For the same purpose, images of animals from the Chinese zodiac horoscope are placed on the doors of houses. It is believed that this is how they protect homeowners from adversity. The main color of Seollal is considered to be red, which scares away evil spirits and protects against dark forces. In East Asia, there is a custom of both respect for elders and reverence for children. In honor of Sollal, relatives give them money in red envelopes and give them an instructive speech with an educational accent. To mutually congratulate each other on the New Year, parents and children wear traditional Korean clothing - hanbok. The tables set for Seollal amaze with their abundance. In honor of the celebrations, not only the ritual soup tteokguk is prepared, but also vegetable noodles, tteok pies, yakkwa honey cookies, and non-alcoholic rice drink sikhye. The table may also include yakchu, raspberry, cherry or plum wine, soju liqueur, yuju from fermented mare's milk and other treats. On the first morning of the new year, Koreans traditionally go to the Sea of ​​Japan. A trip allows you to catch the first rays of the sun, inhale the scent of Aquarius, collect your thoughts and immerse yourself in thoughts about the future. For Asians, the sun is a symbol of emerging life and the New Year. This is partly why the name of the Seollal holiday echoes the “solar” - a horoscope built on the time of the return of the luminary to its natal position. After visiting the sea, they go on a visit to the house of the oldest relative. Here it is customary to bow before the family altar and bring gifts to the souls of the departed - treating them to rice and fruits. Koreans are convinced that deceased relatives, in return for veneration, will, if necessary, help in difficult everyday situations. Honoring also includes bowing to senior family members. In response to this, elderly relatives thank and give monetary gifts. Korean New Year is an important cultural event. A family holiday that pays tribute to tradition allows all family members, young and old, to reunite, albeit briefly. New Year is a time of warm hugs, sincere congratulations and gifts. Therefore, both children and adults are looking forward to Seollal in Korea.

The Buddhist calendar contains a large number of holidays, a special place among which is occupied by Monlam Chhenmo, dedicated to the New Year. It lasts 15 days and is dedicated to the memory of 15 miracles that, according to an ancient legend, Buddha performed in the Indian town of Shravasti. The holding of the first “Great Prayers” dates back to the beginning of the 15th century, when the Tibetan religious figure, philosopher and preacher Zhe Tsonghawa determined the principles of holding holidays in Buddhist temples, including Monlam Chhenmo in their list. The date begins to be celebrated on the first day of the New Year, and each day is dedicated to one of the miracles performed by the Buddha. According to legend, some time after Buddha became a preacher, he had many disciples. Soon six of them left their teacher, hating him and starting to laugh at him publicly, surprising the people around them with various miracles as proof of their words. The Buddha ignored their behavior, but one day the disciples demanded that the arrogant false teachers be shamed, who were causing nothing but trouble to those around them. The teacher thought and agreed. The city of Shravasti was chosen as the main location, where he subsequently created 15 miracles, one for every day, thereby earning worldwide fame. On the first day of March, Buddha stuck a toothpick into the soil, from which a large tree grew, blocking the entire sky and the sun with its foliage. Exotic fruits hung from the branches, like vessels holding 5 buckets of water. The next day, with a wave of his hand, the Teacher created high mountains with fruit groves spread over them. On the right side of the Buddha, people collected and ate these delicious fruits, and on the left side of the preacher, cattle grazed. On the third day, Buddha took water into his mouth and then spat it out. Once on the ground, the moisture immediately turned into a blue lake, where large lotuses bloomed, filling the entire space with their aroma. On the fourth day, at the behest of the Buddha, a loud voice was heard from the reservoir, preaching the Sacred Teaching. On the fifth day, the Teacher smiled, causing light to spread across 3,000 worlds. Everyone who received this light received a blessing. On the sixth day, Buddha made sure that the thoughts of all people present - both positive and negative - became clear to everyone around him. The people praised the unique abilities of the preacher, and some were able to understand the main meaning of the Teaching. In the following days, several more miracles were performed. On the last 15th day, the Buddha made sure that all the vessels in the area were filled with food. The food in each vessel differed in taste and the crowd enjoyed it with great pleasure. Afterwards, the Teacher touched the earth with his hand: it opened up and people saw real hell, where the souls of those who wanted to receive only pleasure from life were tormented. Those who saw the hellish torments were embarrassed, and Buddha again continued his preaching. During the festive prayer services dedicated to these events, a ritual of regular renewal of faith is carried out. Upon its completion, examinations are held for all monks seeking a higher, honorary rank. In the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, Monlam Chhenmo prayer services are held in Jokhang, one of the most ancient city temples. On the 15th holiday (always the day of the full moon), there is a tradition of making special figures from melted butter. They are used for sculptural compositions of the 15 miracles, which are exhibited in monasteries during the holiday. On the same theme, puppet shows and theatrical Tsam mysteries are organized in churches.

Every year, at the peak of winter and spring, Buddhist adherents celebrate their Sagaalgan or New Year. As a rule, its date falls on the new moon at the end of January or February. Initially, the White Moon holiday was celebrated in the fall by the nomadic peoples of Mongolia, but in 1700 its date was moved to the first month of the lunar year. Due to astrological differences in calculation, in Asian countries it is celebrated earlier than in Russia. Sagaalgan is celebrated for three days. This action symbolizes the welcoming of the New Year, from which they expect a healthy and rich life. People begin preparing for the holiday a month in advance. Each housewife prepares from several hundred to several thousand dumplings for all relatives, neighbors and friends who visit her family. Houses, barns and barns are cleaned with special care. Women get new traditional items of clothing for each family member. The run-up to the New Year is called a “moonless day,” when people go to the local temple for the Dugjuuba (purifying fire) ritual. Adherents of Buddhism believe that this is how their sins, illnesses and failures of the past year are burned away. On this day, tables are set with “white food”: layers of traditional cookies, dairy products, rice cooked with cottage cheese, stewed and boiled dumplings and much more. When it gets dark, people put on their best clothes and sit down to eat. For now, they cannot visit neighbors and relatives. Three pieces of ice and hay are placed in the doorway for the deity Baldan Lhamo (the patroness of the capital of Tibet, Lhasa) and her mute, because people believe that the deity visits every family on a moonless night. The next morning people get up before sunrise. They put on their best clothes. It is believed that this will bring good luck in the coming year. Buddhist devotees then climb up a nearby mountain to greet the first sunrise of the New Year. Women make tea with milk and offer it to the earth and gods. At sunrise, the welcoming ceremony begins: the elders or owners of the family sit on the opposite side of the door. When meeting guests and relatives, they raise their palms up, asking: “How are you?” Younger family members usually support the elders from below. Relatives respond: “Great, what about you?”, while the eldest family member kisses the other on both cheeks. Sometimes the action begins with a symbolic blue scarf, with which they express their respect for each other. People visit each other's houses in order of age (the young go home before the elders) and bring treats of dumplings, milk tea and give gifts to each other. The holiday lasts much longer than three days, because relatives live at different distances.

The fabric was pleated using a thick metal rod, shaped vaguely like a modern rolling pin. This device was previously heated. To simply smooth the fabric, ordinary smooth cobblestones were used, also well heated. Only a few centuries later special devices appeared - irons. The first written mentions of these metal products, which were heated and used to smooth out wrinkles on clothing, date back to the 11th century. They can be found in the works of the famous Turkic lexicographer. In Rus', people did without irons at all. Linen was mainly used to make clothes for ordinary peasants. Linen fabric had to be thoroughly stretched after washing to make it pleasant to the body. The Slavs came up with their own method - they wound the cloth on a rolling pin, and then rolled it through a special die with hard ribs. The fibers of the fabric were thoroughly kneaded. You can see similar devices in many Soviet historical films. As it becomes clear, the iron and the devices that served as the basis for its design have been used for a very long time. But the official “date of birth” of the invention is February 10, since it was on this day in 1636 that it was mentioned in documents. The first irons also bore little resemblance to modern ones. They only had a similar shape, but the operating principle was strikingly different. Initially, irons were very massive and heavy - they were monolithic pieces of metal with handles that were placed in a hot oven for rapid heating. It was very difficult to work with such a device. It weighed a lot, was clumsy, and there was always a danger of “overexposing” the fabric and burning a hole in it, and fabric in those days was quite expensive. Later the irons lost a significant part of their weight. They began to make them hollow inside. To heat such a unit, the stove was melted, then coals were taken from it and poured into the iron. It was covered with a special lid on top. They were made mainly from cast iron. Special holes were made on the sides of the iron. The coals gradually cooled over time. Through the holes they could be inflated, raising the temperature. When electricity appeared in the world, the time came to make new irons that worked from the network. The first models were quite heavy. They did not have a temperature control feature. The iron simply heated up at maximum as long as the plug was plugged into the socket. If there were a lot of things to iron, housewives had to periodically turn off the irons so that they cooled down a little. Already in our century, the design of the iron is becoming more complex, its functionality is expanding, and its weight is becoming lighter - all for the convenience of the one who will use it. First, it became possible to regulate the temperature. When smoothing delicate fabrics, it can be reduced, which makes life much easier for housewives. To combat stubborn folds, an additional function has appeared - steam treatment, which is supplied through special holes and makes the fabric more pliable to heat. A special coating has appeared on the bottom of the iron, which ensures perfect smoothness and is easy to clean. Some modern models can also serve as steamers, so they are even used for ironing outerwear.

February 10 (according to the old style - January 28) is marked in the folk calendar as the day of Ephraim. But people more often call him Ephraim - a cricket pointer, or a baker, or a wind blower. The name Ephraim is associated with the church date of honoring Ephraim the Syrian, who taught Christians the Word of God in the 4th century. In his youth, Ephraim had a bad temper, but long prayers helped him gain wisdom and humility. He went to the desert to lead a solitary life. However, the Lord rewarded him with the gift of an excellent teacher, so the monk began to enlighten those who wanted to know God’s Word. Ephraim also became famous for his interpretation of Holy Scripture. The patron saint named the day in honor of the brownie's name day. He was considered the secret owner of the home, keeping order. If the owners kept the property clean, the brownie behaved decently. But the mess and dirt offended the home spirit, which he took offense at and did dirty tricks on the owners: he hid things, dropped dishes, or made noise at night. In order to appease the brownie, a tasty treat was prepared for him on this day. They poured milk into a saucer, left sweets and gingerbread on the table, and placed a pot of porridge next to the stove, surrounded by coals to maintain heat. At midnight the spirit came and treated itself and did not bother the owners for the next year. If the brownie did not get along very well with the household, then they called a healer. They cut a black rooster, and moistened a broom with its blood. Before sunset, the sorcerer swept the master's property with them and read spells. The peasants believed that such a ritual would drive evil spirits out of the house and calm the brownie. On Ephraim's day they tried not to offend cats, because they not only caught rodents, but could also make friends with the brownie. Interestingly, the spirit itself sometimes reincarnated as a cat and could briefly appear to the owner, reporting trouble. They also did not crush crickets or other insects on this day, so as not to anger the brownie. People gathered for gatherings and shared their stories about the house spirit and its machinations. And women, whose husband raised his hand, performed rituals on the day of Ephraim to calm the ardor of an aggressive husband. By signs, the population recognized the future weather. If a strong wind blew, summer was expected with frequent showers. The blueness over the forest foreshadowed the coming warming.

Feast of Saint Scholastica among Catholics

Brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière patented the world's first apparatus for producing a moving image on February 13, 1895. In December of the same year, the inventors demonstrated the work of the Cinematographe by staging a screening in Paris of the film "The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station." In recognition of the contribution made by the Lumière brothers to the development of one of the arts, World Cinema Day is celebrated every second Saturday in February. The first commercial showing of the film at the Grand Café on Capuchin Boulevard gave rise to the development of an entire industry. 2 years before the Lumiere brothers filed documents to register their patent in the United States, Edison's kinescope was developed. However, this device did not allow for collective viewing of films. The cinematography of French inventors allowed films to be seen by a large number of spectators. The Lumières may have used some of Thomas Edison's ideas, but it was thanks to them that mass viewing of paintings became possible. Therefore, the celebration of Global Movie Day is timed to coincide with the screening of a 50-second film in 1895 on the Boulevard des Capucines. Contemporary cinema is represented by films of various genres and directions. Oddly enough, it was the Lumiere brothers who became the founders of diversity. They shot both documentaries (for example, “Workers leaving the Lumiere factory”) and chronicles (“Arrival of delegates to the photo congress in Leon”), as well as feature films (the comedy “Waterer”). In total, the brothers created more than 1,800 paintings from 1895 to 1946, which are today stored in the archives of the French Cinematheque. The Lumières were responsible for the invention of some techniques that, as the industry developed, were adopted by filmmakers. These include, for example, shooting from a moving platform (traveling). The founders of cinema used a gondola floating along a canal in Venice for this purpose. The Lumières edited their own and other people's films. Their company provided rental equipment for filming, and then glued together the frames of the tapes for subsequent demonstration at mass film screenings. The Lumières donated 60% of the proceeds from commercial sessions to the authors of the paintings. The first film poster was also presented to the public by the enterprising French. She announced a screening of the film at the Grand Cafe. The poster showed people standing around waiting for a public film showing. In August 2008, the poster was sold at Sotheby's for £160,000. The Lumière brothers laid the foundations of the modern film industry at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. They saw great potential in showing films to large audiences. Thanks to the invention of the cinematograph, people all over the world were able not only to contemplate a moving image, but to begin to comprehend the art of cinema in all its genre diversity. Therefore, it is quite fair that the celebration of Global Movie Day is associated with the Lumiere brothers.

Orthodox holidays on February 10:

The Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Ephraim the Syrian on February 10. The saint was a native of Syria; he was born in the 3rd century into a simple peasant family. His parents were baptized Christians, but despite this their son grew up to be a rude and unkind young man. One day, out of malice in his heart, he killed someone else’s cow, anticipating the grief of its owner. A few years later, the young man himself suffered misfortune; he was falsely accused of stealing sheep and taken into custody. Ephraim has a revelation in prison. He hears the Lord's explanations about the inevitability of punishment for sins. The young man discovers that retribution for evil overtakes the sinner when he is already able to realize his wrongdoing and take the path of repentance. After experiencing pangs of conscience, Ephraim decides to start a new life. Having managed to justify himself from a false accusation, he goes into the desert, where he becomes a student of the ascetic and preacher Jacob. Over the long years of hermitage, Ephraim cultivated his own Christian virtues, he begins to read sermons, teaches and converts pagans to the Christian faith. After the Persian invasion, Sirin was forced to leave the desert. He settled in a monastery in the city of Edessa, where he worked hard on the interpretation of Holy Scripture, the lives of great hermits, and wrote prayers and church hymns. In old age, Ephraim decides to visit Egypt, where he wants to get acquainted with the exploits of the desert hermits. After meeting with the great ascetics, Sirin, returning through Cappadocia, comes to the sermon of Basil the Great. The speeches of the holy father so shock the Syrian monk that he utters exclamations of admiration right during the sermon. The strange old man attracted the attention of Vasily, after conversations the Great offered to ordain Ephraim as a presbyter. But Sirin did not consider himself worthy of such an honor and agreed to accept only the modest rank of deacon. Basil the Great did not abandon his attempts to elevate Sirin, offering him the episcopal see. To avoid unwanted elevation, Ephraim poses as a madman. After returning to Edessa, Sirin was faced with a general disaster that occurred as a result of a crop failure. The monk managed to organize help for the needy, convincing the rich to be merciful. Through his efforts, almshouses were established, where the exhausted and sick were received. Only after returning to normal life does Ephraim retire to a lonely cave, where he meets his last days. In folk tradition, St. Ephraim's Day was called miraculous, because the owners could see the brownie himself, who definitely had to be appeased. And from the weather of that day one could find out what the summer and the whole year would be like: - a gusty strong wind promised a cold, inhospitable summer; - thick humid air predicted a damp year; - a blackened forest foreshadowed an imminent thaw.

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Totemskaya-Sumorinskaya