The date of remembrance of Russian soldiers who performed their official duty abroad is an official memorial day in our state, designed not to forget the exploits of internationalist soldiers who took part in armed conflicts outside their Fatherland. This important holiday for all residents of the state is celebrated every year on February 15 in accordance with the Federal Legislative Act, which came into force in March 1995. It was on February 15, 1989, that the final column of Russian troops left Afghanistan. Many written sources report that commander B.V. Gromov is the last person to cross the border river Amu Darya, located in the city of Termez. In fact, the last to leave a foreign country was the border detachment, which stood under the cover of the withdrawal of columns and was able to enter the territory of the Soviet Union only in the evening of the same day. This event marked the end of military operations in Afghanistan for the USSR. This war is considered one of the longest and bloodiest in the history of the Soviet Republic. It lasted almost 10 years and claimed the lives of over 15 thousand Russian military personnel and more than one million Afghan citizens. Among the entire number of republics of the former union, the most significant losses were suffered by the RSFSR (currently Russia). The date of remembrance is dedicated not only to the soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, but also to all soldiers who performed their official duties outside the Russian Federation. History preserves the courageous exploits of military personnel who took part in armed conflicts in Vietnam, Egypt, Laos, Mozambique and other places around the world. Russian soldiers served in “hot spots” in Yugoslavia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Since the beginning of autumn 2015, soldiers of the Russian Aerospace Army, at the request of the Syrian president, have been participating in the anti-terrorism campaign in this state. Since the Second World War, over 1.5 million domestic military personnel have left their homeland to provide military support to friendly states and to protect the interests of their Fatherland. According to historians, after the end of World War II, Russian citizens appeared in more than 30 military conflicts abroad, in which about 25 thousand soldiers died. The memorable date of Russian soldiers who bravely fulfilled their official obligations outside the Motherland is intended to strengthen the patriotic consciousness of our compatriots. Every year on February 15, in honor of this event, many regions of the country organize festive events, actions and ceremonial rallies with the participation of war veterans, officials, members of the public and organizations for military-patriotic education of children and adolescents.

Reset Love Day is celebrated on February 15th, right after Valentine's Day. The history of this holiday is not known for certain, but it is definitely associated with the Valentine's Day. Everyone who has a couple pins their hopes on the latter. This could be expectations of a romantic evening together, a pleasant surprise, or just warm words. The transfer of relations to a new format is also often timed specifically for February 14th. And if a person does not get what he expected, he will be upset or even seriously disappointed with his soul mate. A bad Valentine's Day won't lead to the breakup of a truly strong couple, but it can be the "last straw" in a relationship that one is already not very happy with. February 15th is associated with bitter disappointment for many people. But negative emotions can be channeled into a positive direction, made productive, and a motive for change for the better found in them. Love Reboot Day is a good reason to reconsider your relationship. Do they suit you? Does your significant other really love you the way you would like them to? Are you getting what you expect? On Love Reboot Day, you should honestly answer these questions. Dissatisfaction with your partner does not necessarily lead to separation. But hushing up problems will definitely become the cause of a breakup in the future, and a painful one at that. Therefore, there is no need to hide your dissatisfaction. In order for existing problems to begin to be resolved, a frank conversation is simply necessary. Rebooting love, as we see, is a necessary measure. She will take strong relationships to a new level, but she will destroy unsatisfactory ones. But without destroying something old and shaky, it will not be possible to build a new one. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid to “reboot” yourself and your loved one. Development is only possible through change. On February 15th you can do the following: 1. Think carefully about your existing relationships, formulate your needs and expectations from them. 2. Talk frankly with your significant other. The main thing is not to do it in a bad mood. In this case, the conversation is almost guaranteed to lead to a quarrel. Therefore, if you are under the impression of a bad Valentine's Day, it is better to postpone the conversation for a few days. February 15 can be regarded as the Day of Rebooting Love, not only in the format of romantic relationships, but also as self-love. It is very important to accept and approve of yourself, to take care of yourself. Without this, it will not be possible to build not only healthy relationships, but generally anything good. After all, self-esteem affects family, career and overall life satisfaction. Therefore, on February 15, it is also worth celebrating self-love, satisfying your own needs and fulfilling your desires.

Children with Cancer Day is celebrated every year on February 15 by many countries around the world. The history of the event began in 2001 on the initiative of an international association of parents of sick children. This event was first held on January 15 in Luxembourg, but later it was decided to postpone it to next month. Currently, it is celebrated in 40 different countries on the planet. Some time ago, a gold ribbon was chosen as the emblem of the campaign, symbolizing the pricelessness of a child and encouraging society to remember little heroes. These are children, schoolchildren and their relatives who selflessly fight a terrible disease, winners who managed to overcome cancer and move on with their lives, as well as volunteers and doctors who help minor patients. Every year around the planet, about 200 thousand children get cancer, 50% of whom die. According to official statistics, this disease ranks second in the list of causes of child mortality after violent death (injuries, murders, suicide). In our country, 4.5 – 6.5 thousand children are given a terrible diagnosis every year. The guarantee of successful treatment of oncological pathologies lies in timely diagnosis. If the disease is detected in the initial stages, one can hope for a favorable treatment outcome. But 1/10 of the diseases are diagnosed only in the last stages. The problem is also that there are a lot of cancer forms - about 200, and pathology can develop in any organ. Most often, children suffer from a malignant tumor of the organs that serve as the site of the creation of blood cells. Cancers of the bones, nervous system and skin are less commonly diagnosed. Most cancers at an early age are characterized by rapid development in the body. Only the use of timely, high-quality assistance from doctors allows us to identify the presence of pathology in time and cope with it, giving the child a chance for a full, healthy life. Thanks to modern therapeutic techniques, it is possible to save on average 70% of patients. Most of those who do die also had the opportunity to survive. They cannot be helped due to a lack of financial resources, donor blood and professional medical assistance. Taking into account such circumstances, volunteers and activists of World Children's Cancer Day today call on citizens who care about the problem to provide possible assistance: become a donor, make charitable donations to specialized funds. In many Russian regions, on February 15, various promotions and thematic events are organized, the main task of which is to draw attention to a serious problem and remind that today's holiday is not a day of sadness and despondency, but a celebration of victory for children, their parents, doctors and all people , not indifferent to the misfortune of others, over a terrible disease - cancer.

Every year on February 15, most countries around the world celebrate International Operating Nurse Day. On this day, ceremonial conferences are held and the staff of medical institutions are congratulated. The hard work of operating room nurses is valued by patients and doctors, since the success of operations, as well as the further rehabilitation of patients, often depends on their professionalism. The international professional holiday for the highest category of nursing staff was officially approved in 2009 by representatives of the European Association of Operative Nurses. The emergence of this profession occurred in 1891, but the direction of this surgical activity existed before. Carrying out complex surgical operations was impossible without the help of assistants, so nurses began to be taught some skills so that they could assist the surgeon during surgery. For many years, the sisters could not make decisions on their own, but only unquestioningly followed the instructions of the surgeons. Currently, these are real professionals who have a high level of knowledge and can cope with complex tasks on their own. This profession is chosen by truly talented people who are ready to bear great responsibility for the health of patients. The responsibilities of operating room nurses include providing emergency care, as well as participating in surgical operations. Only the most responsible personnel with experience can work in the operating room. Mentors try to prepare a good replacement for themselves and pay a lot of attention to training nurses, who, in addition to knowledge of human anatomy, must know the legislation and understand the standards. In most European countries, as well as in the CIS, celebrations, conferences, master classes and round tables are organized. Nurses working in operating rooms share their experiences and accept congratulations from colleagues. Those who distinguished themselves are given prizes and awards. Employees of third-party organizations often join in congratulating the staff of medical institutions. In 2015, a significant event for the best European nurses from Slovenia, Turkey, Estonia, Spain and Ireland was the approval of the Ansell Cares® H.E.R.O. Service Award. The event was organized by the Australian company Ansell, specializing in the sale of medical equipment.

In ancient Greek mythology, three Moirai were responsible for the fate of man, weaving the fabric of life. “One - the deaf one was twisting a thread, one - the dumb one was weaving knots. Without measuring, she confused, circled, laughing, the blind one tore the thread.” The goddess Clotho spun, Lachesis (“the giver of lots”) measured and passed a person through adversity, Atropos cut the thread, consulting the book of life. This is partly why the knots represent fate, the continuity of phenomena and their connection. The Day of Tying Knots for Happiness, which is celebrated on February 15, is intended to correct the negative phenomena of life. In Rus', amulets in the form of nauzs have long been made from woolen straps and leather threads. Charms in the form of knots protected from the evil eye and failures, and attracted everything bright and good into life. Part of the wedding ceremony of the Slavs and other peoples is the tying of a towel, ropes or ribbons. This custom symbolizes the intertwining, the joining of two destinies into a single whole. In medieval England, sailors and soldiers serving away from home sent their lovers a piece of rope as an invitation to tie the knot. At a wedding, this cord was used to connect the wrists of the bride and groom, unraveling it only at the end of the celebration. Knitting knots in ancient times and today is used in African magic both to cure a person of ailments and to induce diseases. For a long time, before going to sea, Finnish sailors turned to magicians to make protective amulets. It was believed that sorcerers knew how to tie the wind into the sciences. For this, special conspiracies were used. On long voyages, when sailors needed the support of the natural elements, they untied the ropes, releasing a tailwind from captivity. Our ancestors tied bonds when support from higher powers was needed. The Slavs believed that with a protective thread made from nettle or hemp, life would become better, love would be stronger, health and money would increase, and business would go uphill. A knotted bracelet was usually worn on the wrist. The choice of color for the amulet depended on its purpose: protection from damage or the evil eye, getting rid of illness, easy childbirth, attracting money, etc. To practice knot magic, you need to purchase natural threads (made of linen, wool, cotton or silk), which carry the power of nature. You should create a protective amulet in a good mood and good health. Tying knots and weaving threads is accompanied by mental messages of goodness and prosperity, reading spells or prayers. They make amulets both for themselves and for strangers. Sciences aimed at bringing joy and good luck into life are woven on the waxing Moon, and for healing from illnesses - on the waning Moon. Personally created amulets are an excellent gift for loved ones on the Day of Tying Knots for good luck.

Physics as a science appeared thanks to the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei. The outstanding astronomer was the first to use a telescope to study celestial bodies. The “father of observational astronomy” confirmed the presence of phases on Venus, discovered the rings of Saturn, mountains on the Moon and four satellites of Jupiter, and explored sunspots. The scientist who laid the foundation of classical physics was born on February 15, 1564 and lived a long life, full of events and scientific discoveries. Galileo's ideological inspiration was Copernicus, who argued that the Earth was not the center of the solar system. These statements led to a conflict between the scientist and the Catholic Church. The persecution of the Inquisition did not force the astronomer to abandon his views. In honor of the great physicist, mathematician and philosopher, Galileo Galilei Day was established, which is celebrated on February 15. The future astronomer devoted his youth to medicine; he also attended lectures on geometry at the University of Pisa. Having studied the works of Archimedes and Euclid, Galileo discovered the law of isochronism - the independence of the period of oscillation of a pendulum from the swing of oscillations and the mass of the load, and invented hydrostatic scales for weighing precious metals. In physics, he established the principles of relativity for rectilinear uniform motion and constancy of acceleration. Galileo studied the issues of physical optics, exploring the nature of color and light. An important contribution to the development of astronomy was the challenge by scientists of the Ptolemaic system of the world, according to which the Earth was at its center. In the poem “Career” by Yevgeny Yevtushenko there are the following lines: The life of the Italian physicist, astronomer and engineer did not end as tragically as that of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake. But Galileo also suffered from the actions of the Inquisition, which set fire to his treatise “Dialogue on the Two Chief Systems of the World,” written in 1632. In it, the astronomer substantiates the correctness of the teachings of Copernicus: the Sun is indeed the celestial body around which the Earth and other planets revolve. In 1633, the church forced Galileo to renounce his views on his knees. There is a legend that after the court verdict, the scientist triumphantly called out: “And yet she is spinning!” Because of his scientific views on the structure of the Universe, Galileo was sentenced to lifelong house arrest after his imprisonment. The astronomer died at the age of 78 and was buried without honors or a tombstone in the village of Arceti near Florence. It took more than 350 years for Galileo Galilei to be cleared of the Inquisition's charges. In 1992, John Paul II, after the careful work of a commission from the Vatican, recognized the fidelity of the heliocentric system of the world. The Pope made an official apology on behalf of the church and rehabilitated the great astronomer of the past.

Every year on February 15th the Day of the Government Communications Troops, abbreviated as UPS, is celebrated. They were first created during the Second World War. The UPU had its baptism of fire on the Kursk Bulge, where they provided communications to command posts of armies and fronts, and also participated in defensive battles with sappers, tank crews, and infantrymen. More than 20 thousand military personnel were awarded the highest awards for their courage and military valor. The importance of government communications troops was mentioned more than once in the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. They have repeatedly taken part in “hot spots”, man-made disasters, and natural disasters. There are a lot of good reviews about the quality of their work written by P.I. Batov, I.S. Konev. And this, by the way, is the only type of troops where field operations, even in times of peace, are directly a combat mission in their main purpose. These troops are affectionately called “signals.” It was they who, at the end of the Second World War, built and also restored communication lines in the Crimea, the Black Sea coast, the North Caucasus, Astrakhan and Stalingrad. These troops carry out their combat missions in places where there are no fixed networks or they are completely destroyed. Nowadays, of course, life dictates completely different conditions. And the personnel are assigned quite difficult tasks. In the foreground is the mobility of field communications, as well as digital forms of information transfer. On this day, those who serve in the government communications troops are honored. Also, annually on February 15, tribute is paid to those who performed their military duty at the cost of their lives. On this day in Moscow, it is customary to lay flowers and wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as other places in Russia associated with the memory of departed soldiers. In St. Petersburg, commemorative events are organized at the monument to St. Petersburg residents of those who gave their lives while fulfilling their international duty, located in Kupchino. On this day, war veterans and disabled people are not forgotten. Soldiers' widows are remembered, as well as the children of heroes. After all, they are the most important keepers of the memory of the departed, who know the history of those events first-hand. In many Russian cities, ceremonial events, actions, and rallies are organized, where combat veterans, government officials and the public directly participate.

Statehood Day is celebrated in Serbia on February 15th. The basis for the holiday was the national liberation uprising of the Serbs in the early 19th century against Turkish Ottoman rule. The first stage of the uprising occurred in 1804. The reason was the atrocities committed by the Turkish Janissaries, who were an uncontrollable burden for the Ottoman Empire itself. Rebel troops everywhere began to raid the Janissaries, undermining their confidence in their own invincibility. But on February 15, 1804, the Serbian leaders decided to start a joint uprising. The main goal of the rebels was to eliminate the Janissary threat and restore self-government to the population of Serbia. The combined troops attacked large cities, including Belgrade. As a result, the Janissary troops were defeated, but the threat from the well-trained military was still present. Despite the fact that at this stage the Sultan's government supported the Serbian leaders, the latter decided to ask Russia for help in gaining an independent status of political autonomy. Having found a strong patron in the Russian Empire, supporters of Serbian independence began to act more boldly, refused to accept the Sultan’s protege and put up fierce resistance to the Turkish authorities. The Sultan's reaction was to declare a holy war on all Serbs. Despite the threats, the rebels won new victories, after which their demands changed to complete independence of Serbia. In 1807, a truce was established between Turkey and Russia, which was perceived extremely negatively by the Serbian side. As a result of further battles and negotiations, the First Serbian Uprising was defeated, but, despite this, it had its positive results. The main ones were the consent of the Ottoman Empire to Serbian autonomy and the course towards reviving the institution of statehood in Serbia. A few years later, the first Serbian democratic constitution was adopted on February 15, and in the 20th century this date became Serbian Army Day.

Since ancient times, on February 15, our ancestors celebrated Gromnitsa, the meeting of harsh winter with spring. According to legends, the Goddess of Winter Morena entered into a difficult battle with spring-Lelya, causing thunder to be heard throughout the area and lightning to be visible, which is not at all typical for the month of February. The ancestors sometimes glorified Perun himself and the Thunder Goddess during the holiday. They believed that the face of Veles in the form of a bear divided winter in half, turning over in a warm den. And when the beast wakes up, spring has come! A number of rituals that took place on Gromnitsa are associated with fire (candles) and water. In ancient times, people believed that Epiphany water was a powerful amulet. Having plunged into an ice hole on a holiday, a person will be endowed with strength and health. A simple wash can take away not only physical ailments, but also mental ones. Even today extreme sports enthusiasts can experience the miraculous power of festive water. The rituals and gifts performed were presented to Perun the Thunderer, as well as Veles, who was responsible for fertility. All folk customs were mainly aimed at asking for the benefit of higher powers for the next year, protecting households from dark forces, any magical influence and diseases. Some Slavic peoples consider Gromnitsa a day of remembrance of their ancestors, so they put extra tableware on the table and remembered the dead. The days of February were considered borderline and very dangerous. In Gromnitsa, people tried not to work, not to enter into new contracts, fearing the turning point, because evil spirits could penetrate through it. Often the people accumulated strength for upcoming transactions and found advantages that they used with the victory of spring. All evil spirits are afraid of a thunder candle: female brownies, Swampwomen, demons, devils and other evil spirits. Thus, people place “crosses” with a festive candle on their doors, reliably protecting their homes. They walk clockwise with lit candles over all corners, driving out evil spirits. The owner of the house drew a cross with a festive candle over the heads of all household members to protect his relatives in the coming year. Typically, thunder candles are kept all year round and are lit during difficult and dangerous periods or sometimes illness. Prepare three thin candles, heat them slightly over the fire so that they become flexible. Weave it into a “braid”, make the upper part of the candle in the form of a small Triad, which personifies the unity of the Slavic worlds - Reality, Nav and Rule. Then light them and cleanse your home. You can prepare several amulet candles for the whole year. Their strength lies precisely in their production on this holiday. Gromnitsa is a great day to make a wish, to ask the Higher powers and ancestors for help in treatment, patronage and protection from all evil. In the midst of winter, the holiday reminds people that even the worst disasters can be a ray of light - like lightning in the middle of winter. There is always hope.

Singles and divorced men live on average 7 years less than married men. This is due not only to the fact that the spouse, as a rule, cares about the health of her beloved. Life in a family is more orderly and measured and, no matter how much single men swagger, it provides protection from excessive psychological stress. “Lone Wolves” who stubbornly refuse to go to the registry office celebrate a fun Single Life Awareness Day on February 15th. This comic holiday is a symbol of the triumph of their choice - existence without a family and obligations to a partner. Singles Awareness Day is celebrated not only by men, but also by women from Russia and Western countries. A similar holiday exists in the East - in China and South Korea, where traditional family values ​​are treated with special reverence. Open relationships and meetings with representatives of the opposite sex are preferred by established people who are not alone in the global sense of the word. They simply believe that in order to feel happy, it is not necessary to have a family or live with someone in a civil marriage. History traces the origins of Singles Awareness Day to Justin Barnes, who organized an unusual celebration for his single friends. The American first celebrated Singles Awareness Day on February 15 with a group of friends in 2001. With his light hand, the holiday became popular at the University of Mississippi - the place of study of D. Barnes. Considering that there are a lot of single people in the modern world, the number of fans of the celebration has increased year by year. Flirting, courtship and romantic relationships are important in any return. “All ages are submissive to love,” said A.S. Pushkin. In "War and Peace" L.N. Tolstoy talks about the importance of the family, which, according to the writer, is the basis for the formation of the human soul. More than 100 years have passed since the novel was written, many attitudes and life values ​​of people have changed. The holiday, which follows Valentine's Day, is intended to emphasize that having a partner and marriage are by no means prerequisites for happiness. Bachelors serve as a reason for endless jokes and philosophical reflections. According to psychologists, a man’s choice of a lonely lifestyle is not always the result of love and a craving for freedom. Often this is a consequence of strong emotional dependence on the mother, mental trauma suffered and reluctance to take responsibility for the family. “Medicine teaches that bachelors usually die crazy, while married people die without going crazy,” wrote A.P. Chekhov. Singles Awareness Day defends the right of single people to live the lifestyle they choose, regardless of society's opinions. Yes, they may have no one to confess their love to on Valentine’s Day, but they don’t see this as a big tragedy. Living alone has its pros and cons, which men and women, celebrating the funny holiday of February 15, discuss in the company of like-minded people. Going to a pub or restaurant to celebrate Singles Awareness Day is not only a great excuse to have a drink, but also a chance to meet your other half there. This means gaining new life experience and, perhaps, trying to give up loneliness after all.

A modern person is bombarded with a large flow of information throughout the day. To maintain peace of mind and mental health, it is necessary to filter the information received. Everyone must learn to sort the information received according to the degree of reliability, importance for themselves personally and the need to own it. This rule is relevant for public and commercial organizations of any form of ownership. Therefore, World Information Management Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of February. Enterprises and companies in the course of their activities operate with megatons of data, which are contained in records, printed documents and electronic files. Analysis, storage and disposal of corporate content, as well as reliable protection of confidential information, is the key to the success of any business. To optimize document flow in an enterprise, it is necessary to implement something more than an Enterprise content management system. For this purpose, programs have been created with a wider coverage of information and a range of options. The initiative to celebrate Global Information Governance Day belongs to market analysts and marketers Garth Landers, Tamir Segal and Barclay T. Blair. A new industry term, information management, emerged in 2010 to describe a way to help organizations improve operational efficiency and identify, analyze and respond to enterprise risks. The initiator of the introduction of Information Governance was Tamir Segal, senior marketing manager of the Swiss company RSD. Accelerating the creation of information, the breadth of coverage and accessibility of transmission, exchange, and archiving of data in the company’s database are an integral part of commercial activity. It includes confidentiality and control of access to existing material and electronic media. To optimize enterprise content management, determine the life cycle of documents located in repositories, and other processes, information management must be established in every organization. To this end, it is necessary to develop regulations for the company’s branches and divisions on the assessment, creation, use, archiving, and removal of documents and information from databases. Information Governance received recognition in the United States at the state level in 2011. This year, President B. Obama called for optimizing government document flow in order to maximally cover the urgent needs for the disclosure of information. In the modern world, proper storage and use of metadata by a company is the key to its successful activities. The World Information Management Day, which appeared in 2013, was called upon to draw attention to the corporate content management system.

The history of the emergence of people and the development of society is studied by science that arose at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. However, even before our era, attempts were made to understand the place of man in nature, his origin, originality and similarity with other organisms. World Anthropology Day, which is celebrated every third Thursday of February, is intended to attract public attention to one of the most important sciences. World Anthropology Day popularizes the science that deals with the study of man - his origin and development, norms of behavior in society, existence in the cultural and natural environment. The holiday was established in 2015 by the American Anthropological Association. A year later, it changed its status - from a national day to an international one. Anthropology as a discipline dates back to Antiquity. The scientist who began to study the spiritual side of human nature was Aristotle. In Ancient Greece, for the first time in history, a person began to identify himself as a special object of the real world. The philosopher Socrates singled out the problems of the individual as a subject for independent consideration, declaring that it is impossible to know him by the same means as the surrounding reality. In the 18th century Anthropology began to be understood as the universal science of man - his language, culture, psychology and physiology. Scientists from various fields of activity contributed to its development. The naturalist Charles Darwin substantiated the simial (from Latin simia - monkey) theory of human development, and the physician and naturalist Carl Linnaeus substantiated the biological theory of species. Philosopher and economist Robert Tugo put forward the idea of ​​a successive change in the hunting, pastoral, and agricultural stages of the evolution of human society. Anthropology studies the development of human culture in society. Scientists observe the behavior of people from different parts of the globe in everyday life. After this, using the mechanisms of ethnography, anthropologists describe the customs and traditions of the indigenous people, draw conclusions about the uniqueness of rituals, draw parallels with other cultures, etc. Scientists also predict the future of Homo sapiens. According to research by British anthropologists from Oxford, by the year 3000 the average height of people will be about 2 meters, the skin will have a brownish tint, and life expectancy will be 120 years. On the Earth of the future, the concept of "race" will disappear. Men will have symmetrical faces with angular jaws and athletic figures. Women will be distinguished by soft, hairless skin, lush breasts and a harmoniously developed body. According to the observation of anthropologists, due to acceleration (teenagers of the 20th century “grew” by 15-20 cm compared to the youth of the 19th century), the average height of our descendants will be greater than today. Modern teenagers have changed their figure proportions - the torso has become narrower, and the limbs have become elongated. Along with asthenia, thinning of the skeleton and a decrease in body weight, modern people experience excess weight gain due to a sedentary lifestyle. The future will show which of these two scenarios will come true and what the person will look like. Knowledge of anthropology is in demand by philosophers, theologians, teachers, art historians, psychologists and professionals from other areas of professional activity. World Anthropology Day promotes increased interest in human science, emphasizing its importance for understanding the prospects for the development of society in the future (evolution, migrations of peoples, degradation, other processes) and obtaining knowledge about the past.

February 15 is the Day of Remembrance of Internationalist Soldiers in Belarus. The memory of the people who took part in the difficult Afghan war, which lasted 9 years, was immortalized by a decree of the Belarusian president in March 1998 (No. 157 of March 26, 1998). The nine-year war ended on February 15, 1989, on this day the servicemen who fought in Afghanistan returned to their homeland. The last to leave Afghan territory were special forces and border guards covering the withdrawal of troops. Afghan events unfolded during the existence of the Soviet Union, which united peoples of various nationalities. Representatives of all republics, including Belarusians, served in Afghanistan. The military tragedy began in 1979 as a result of an internal political crisis in the Central Asian republic, where civil war and power struggles led to foreign interference in Afghan domestic politics. On December 25, Soviet troops were brought into Afghanistan, who had to carry out the order of the Motherland to provide international assistance to the government of the warring republic. The internationalists fulfilled this order with dignity, having experienced all the horrors of war and the cruelty of the Mujahideen. Among the internationalist soldiers there were 30,000 Belarusians, 800 people did not return from those fronts. It often happens that the assessment of historical events changes over the years, becoming either positive or negative, and it is not always objective. But no matter how historians and politicians evaluate the events related to the actions of the government in the Central Asian republic during the Afghan conflict, the actions of Soviet privates and officers deserve respect and admiration. They swore allegiance to the Motherland and did not change their oath; they fought courageously and heroically, following the orders of their commanders. Many Afghans received military awards for that war, and many still dream about Afghanistan. These are terrible, frightening dreams, but how nice it would be if wars remained only in dreams, and the military profession sank into oblivion. Unfortunately, such a dream is not yet destined to come true - the world continues to be at war. Defense of the Fatherland is a priority for state actions. And the more invaluable is the experience of specialists who served in hot spots and local wars, the more important it is to preserve the respectful memory of those events and teach every citizen of the country to be its patriot. In Belarus in 1996, in memory of the internationalist soldiers who did not return home, a chapel appeared on the Island of Tears. Inside the chapel, the names of fallen soldiers are carved on four altars. In Minsk in 2016, a memorial sign was erected to those who died in the crater of the Afghan war. People have a place to come to honor the memory of their fellow soldiers. There are public organizations in the Republic that protect the social rights of internationalist soldiers and family members of those killed in hot spots. Formed in March 1993, the “Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan” regularly participates in the socio-economic, social and cultural life of the country, paying great attention to the civic and patriotic education of youth. Who else, if not the veterans who survived the war, will tell you truthfully about it, warn against its repetition, teach you to respect your country and value peace. Low bow to you, defenders of the Fatherland, defenders of the world. Health to the living and memory to the departed.

Every year on February 15, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Honoring Participants in Combat Actions on the Territory of Other States. At the national level, this holiday was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated February 12, 2004. This date is not new in the calendar of Ukrainian holidays. Until 2004, this day was known as the Day of the Withdrawal of Soviet Troops from Afghanistan. People simply called this day – Afghan Day. The date of the celebration was not chosen by chance. The fact is that on February 15, 1989, the last armed formations of the Soviet army, which took part in the civil war in Afghanistan, were withdrawn. According to some official data, more than two thousand Ukrainian soldiers died in this war. More than 4 thousand returned crippled. About a hundred are still considered missing. And these are just official statistics. Some soldiers who fought in Afghanistan claim that there were significantly more killed and wounded, but the official authorities are still silent about the exact number of deaths. Of course, the war in Afghanistan was the largest military operation outside the Soviet Union in which Soviet troops took part. But she wasn't the only one. At various times, the Soviet army took part in military conflicts in Egypt, Cuba, Chile, Ethiopia and many other countries. But there was no separate holiday dedicated to the participants in the hostilities in these countries. Many military personnel were outraged by this fact. Therefore, various civilian organizations representing the interests of these military personnel have repeatedly submitted requests to the President to establish a special day dedicated to the merits of these military personnel. As a result of their efforts, in February 2004 it was decided to create a single holiday that would celebrate the merits of all military personnel who served outside their country. Traditionally, on this day various conferences and meetings are held, and flowers are ceremoniously laid at monuments to Afghans. The President of Ukraine meets with representatives of veterans of these wars and holds awards. Special liturgies are held in churches and temples dedicated to the memory of fallen soldiers.

In 1996, Canadians received another holiday - National Flag Day. Jean Chrétien, who was prime minister at the time, signed a decree declaring February 15 as Canadian Flag Day. The date was chosen to commemorate the day the new flag design was first flown. Today, the recognizable red and white flag with a maple leaf in the center is known far beyond the country’s borders and few people know what it looked like before. The first settlers who began to populate Canada at the beginning of the 14th century were the British. For this reason, the Canadian flag completely repeated the English version, but later, when the northern inhabitants of Canada became subjects of the French king, royal lilies began to be depicted on the flag. Since the 20s of the 17th century. England again takes the territory of Canada under its guardianship, which is why the flag design again returns to the British one. Until the middle of the 19th century. he remained that way. In 1925, a national commission was created whose task was to develop a design for a national flag that would not evoke associations with other countries, but would be easy to remember. However, the government began seriously to create a national flag much later. In 1964, a commission was created again, which included 15 members of parliament, and by the end of the year, members of the commission submitted a prototype to a vote in the House of Commons. The image of a maple leaf initially caused a storm of controversy, since it was a symbol of the eastern part of the country, in which the maples from which syrup was extracted grew. Ultimately, the opponents gave in: first the law was adopted at the parliamentary level, and then it was signed by Elizabeth II. On February 15, 1965, Canada's new official flag was officially raised for the first time, and then the whole world learned about it. The colors red and white symbolize that Canada has two official languages: French and English. In addition, they conventionally designate two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific, and between them lies the state itself, which is depicted on the flag in the shape of a maple leaf. The style of the flag fully corresponds to the national motto “From sea to sea.” Flag Day in Canada is celebrated every year, on this day the flag flies on the facades of municipal, commercial buildings and even private homes.

On February 15 (February 2, old style), according to the folk calendar, the holiday of Gromnitsa is celebrated. It is closely intertwined with the great church holiday - the Presentation of the Lord. History says that it was on this day that the newborn Christ turned 40 days old. Then there was a tradition of taking the forty-day-old firstborn of the family to the temple for dedication to the Lord. Therefore, the righteous Joseph and Mary brought little Jesus into the temple and also sacrificed two doves. In the church, the 300-year-old Saint Simeon was waiting for them; according to prophecy, he was destined to die when he personally saw the Savior. The prophetess Anna, seeing the real Messiah, bowed to him and went out to notify the people about the Savior. Translated, “Sretenye” means “meeting.” If for Christians this was a meeting of the Old and New Testaments, then for the Slavs two seasons of the year met - winter and spring. There was a struggle between them for dominance on earth, which is why the weather often changed during the day. It happened that there was even thunder, from which the day received the name Gromnitsa. Before the arrival of Christianity, sacrifices were made to Gromnitsy to Perun, the god of thunder and lightning. In the villages, in order to help spring defeat the cold, peasants staged exhibition battles. Some men dressed in kaftans, and others in fur coats, symbolizing the warm and cold seasons. There was a fist fight, and if the men in caftans, the Zimobors, won, then spring was destined to defeat winter. At Gromnitsa candles were made from beeswax. They were called thunderbolts and were worn to illuminate the temple. Candles were kept behind icons, lit only at important moments in life, be it the birth of a baby in the family or a funeral. It was believed that they protected from troubles and could “defeat” evil spirits. Residents also blessed water in churches and took it home. They sprinkled it on their homes to protect them from troubles, washed and drank to relieve illnesses of the body and mind. An important ritual was going around the house with the icon in hand and reading a prayer. With Gromnitsa the period of preparation for work in the gardens began. The owners checked the equipment, and the housewives fed the birds and livestock to their fill, taking care of the future offspring. In the garden, snow was cleared from tree branches, and pancakes were baked in the kitchen, symbolizing the circle of the sun and the approach of warmth. On this day it was forbidden to work and swear. It was impossible to sit in boredom and sadness, so as not to waste happiness. They did not carry dairy products for sale, did not use eggs in food, otherwise infertility could have occurred. They avoided long journeys or moving to another place, for fear of encountering trouble. If there was snowfall on Gromnitsy, a long winter was expected, and warm weather foreshadowed the imminent arrival of spring. The sun's rays from behind the clouds meant that the spring-winter meeting had taken place. A cold and cloudy day predicted a cool spring. The beginning of the rain foreshadowed a large grain harvest, and windy weather promised good fruit harvests.

The Berlin International Film Festival (also called Berlinare) is one of the most prestigious international events of its type in Europe and the world. It occurs annually for ten days. The first edition of the film festival took place in 1951. The event was an attempt to reactivate the cultural scene in Berlin, which had definitely suffered in the aftermath of World War II. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Berlin, among a number of European cities, was an important cultural center. The war provoked not only the political, but also the cultural decline of the city. However, it is worth mentioning that Berlinare is not only about the films made. The many film industry meetings under the patronage of EFM, Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Found are among the largest in Europe. This is where contracts are concluded between producers from different countries, this is where the most interesting projects arise, sponsorship is sought to complete filming, and meetings with specialists from all over the world take place. Discussion panels, various presentations and conferences are just the tip of the iceberg. The festival jury always pays special attention to screening films from all over the world. The most important award is the Golden Bear. It is awarded for the best film. By the way, the Golden and Silver Bear figurines are based on the works of the German sculptor Rene Sintensis. Since the beginning of the festival (since 1951), they have traditionally been produced in the German foundry Noack. The jury is international, diverse and unpredictable. Since 1956, it has determined what the Berlin party will look like, which is very often called the main political and social event of the year. In many cases, feature films with an unusual and “right” message win the most important awards of the festival. An interesting point is that in 1970 not a single award was awarded. This happened only once in history. The jury canceled the competition due to the controversial film "o.k." German director Michael Verhoeven. At the moment, the festival is the largest and most spectacular event of its kind. It brings together the largest number of spectators of all such events. In addition to the main competition, the competition features sections such as "Panorama", which presents independent productions, and the "International Forum of New Cinema".

Orthodox holidays on February 15:

The great holiday of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated by the Orthodox Church annually on February 15, 40 days after the Nativity of Christ. This is a very ancient Christian holiday. Already in the 4th century, many theologians read the first Sretensky sermons; in Byzantium in the 5th century it was celebrated at the state level, and soon the entire Christian world began to celebrate it. On this day, Mary, following the ancient Jewish tradition, brought the baby Jesus to the Temple for the first time to perform the rite of dedication to God. In the Temple, Mary and her child were met by the learned elder Simeon, a 300-year-old resident of Jerusalem. According to the prophecy, the elder could not die until he met the Messiah. Seeing the child and taking him in his arms, Simeon immediately realized that the prophecy had been fulfilled, and now he could die in peace. An old widow praying in the Temple, nicknamed Anna the Prophetess, also saw the baby Christ. She approached him, bowed and went out to the people to tell about the coming of the Messiah. The Slavic word "sretenie" is translated as "meeting". This is the great day of the meeting of the Old and New Testaments, paganism and Christianity, light and darkness, the meeting of the entire human race, in the person of the righteous Simeon and Anna, with Christ. This is a symbol of great joy that this meeting has finally happened after a very long wait. This meeting was preserved in Sacred History and became an annual great Christian celebration. This day was not without folk traditions. In the celebration of the Presentation, Christian and pagan principles are intertwined, but even folk customs confirm that this day brought bright joy to people. The peasants celebrated the meeting of winter and spring, and cheerful festivities took place in the villages. The end of the winter cold and the beginning of the spring thaw were called Sretensky. After carefree festivities, the peasants began to have serious troubles: cattle were driven out of the barn into the corral, seeds were prepared for sowing, and garden trees were treated with whitewash.

The Presentation of the Lord is one of the most important Orthodox holidays, celebrated on February 15th. According to legend, on the 40th day after birth, Jesus’ parents brought him to the temple according to tradition. There the baby was seen by Anna the prophetess, who notified people about the coming of the Messiah, and by the righteous elder Simeon. For the scribe who translated the Bible from Hebrew into Greek, this meeting with the Savior meant the fulfillment of the prediction of the Holy Spirit: “Behold, the Virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son.” Candlemas also marks a secular holiday - World Orthodox Youth Day. By decision of the General Assembly of the World Syndesmos Movement, it has been celebrated since 1953. In Russia, the celebration acquired official status in 2002 under Patriarch Alexei II. The name of the brotherhood "Syndesmos" was translated from Greek as "Unity of the Spirit in the Union of Peace." The movement was founded by young theologians from France. His first conference was attended by more than 50 people, including Russians, Serbs, Romanians, Georgians, Finns, Indians and Syrians. The topics for this and other meetings were liturgical life, missionary work, pastoral work, theology, and Orthodox witness in the context of ecumenism. Today the Syndesmos movement unites believers from 30 countries living in Europe, America and Africa. In honor of World Orthodox Youth Day, young men and women meet with Orthodox priests at morning services, organize live music concerts, “Days of Good Deeds,” competitions and sports competitions. Every diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church hosts congresses and conferences of young people. In Moscow, Kemerovo and Biysk, it has become traditional to hold an Orthodox ball in honor of the holiday in February, and a masquerade with ice dancing in the city of Krasnokamensk in the Trans-Baikal Territory. At meetings between young people and the clergy, problems of theology are raised, discussions are held within the “Right? Yes!” club, and volunteers are awarded. In St. Petersburg in 2020, after the Divine Liturgy, a youth religious procession took place for the first time. In foreign dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, charitable events are held - concerts in support of sick children, orphans, low-income and needy families. On February 15, churches hold charity fairs, in which Sunday school students take part. Topics for lectures and discussions between the laity and pastors include “Techniques of spiritual safety”, “Christian of the 21st century”, “Missionary work in everyday life”, “Alexander Nevsky - saint, boss, peacemaker”, etc. It is not for nothing that World Orthodox Youth Day is dedicated to Candlemas. This holiday is full of obvious symbols. On February 15, the spirit and peace, knowledge and life experience of the elder Simeon meets the youth of Jesus Christ. The son of Mary and Joseph was small and defenseless, but at the same time full of triumphant joy. This is how a person who has come to know Christ should be - full of rejoicing and hope. Events held in honor of Orthodox Youth Day help strengthen faith and the ideological unification of young men and women living on different continents and preaching Christianity.