Italians are a very emotional people who live in an active rhythm, therefore, it may seem surprising that they were the first to suggest at least sometimes giving up fussiness and continuous haste. Probably even these temperamental people need a rest... This is how the idea emerged on February 26 of every year to celebrate Slowness Day, which is also called Slowness Day. They first started talking about this holiday in 2007 and, after a short time, it was “picked up” in different countries of the world, which is why it quickly received international status. Modern people are constantly forced to rush somewhere, which is why they often miss joyful moments in life. Perhaps this is the price of progress. But at least sometimes you need to be able to pause, look around, and do something slowly. World Slowness Day is meant to remind us of this. The Italians even came up with 14 commandments. They say that if you adhere to them, everyone will be able to enjoy life and its delights. For example, one of the commandments says that if you are forced to wait, you should not be nervous. Listen to your favorite music or chat with your family during this time. Another commandment states that it is necessary to wake up at least 10 minutes earlier every day in order to do something slowly and with pleasure - have a tasty breakfast, read the morning newspaper, etc. The essence of celebrating International Slow Day is much deeper than one might initially think. This is not a tribute to laziness or unwillingness to do some work. This is a reason to think that we often do not do what we really want and waste time on worries that do not always bring us pleasure. There should be a place in life for small and unpretentious joys, because you don’t always need a lot to be happy. A leisurely day is not limited to the usual lying on a cozy sofa. Quite the contrary. In honor of the holiday, many interesting events are held in Italy. For example, in Milan on February 26, people who are in too much of a hurry about their business may face a fine. True, it is symbolic, but it gives people the opportunity to stop, take a break and even smile. The Slow Marathon is held in Rome. Anyone can participate in it. The peculiarity of the marathon is that a distance of 300 meters must be covered very slowly - in 87 minutes! On this day, residents of Italy can do things for which they always did not have enough time or put them off for an indefinite period. For example, you can go to an exhibition or poetry evening. In other countries and cities of the world, a lot of attention is also paid to Haste Day. Paris, New York, London and many other huge cities and small towns are coming up with their own ways to draw people's attention to the massive rush and busyness.

February 26th is World Pistachio Day, a nut that has become a favorite delicacy for many. Today, the world leaders in their production are Iran (historical homeland), the USA, Turkey and China. Pistachios have a long history. According to some researchers, it is 6,500-7,000 years old, and, according to others, it is 9,000 years old. In Persia, pistachios were considered a delicious treat that only very wealthy people could afford. Here they have become a unique element of luxury. The nuts were highly prized for their rich, creamy flavor. According to some reports, pistachios were very popular at the court of the Queen of Sheba, the famous ruler who went to Solomon to test his wisdom with riddles. They became one of two nuts mentioned in the Bible. The word "pistachio" comes from the Iranian language. It literally translates as “laughing nut” because of the characteristic crack in the shell that looks like a smile. Pistachio trees were grown in Israel and Palestine. There are references to the fact that the Israelis took these nuts with them to present them as a gift during one of their travels to Ancient Egypt. In Israel, pistachio trees were considered sacred. They have been grown in Ancient Greece since the reign of Alexander the Great. In Ancient Rome, mentions of them appear in the era of Emperor Vitellius, but in Ancient Egypt they did not grow. During archaeological excavations in the territory of modern Turkey, scientists found evidence confirming that nuts were grown here 7,000 years ago. According to some reports, the Persians valued the fruits of pistachio trees so highly that they used them as currency. Pistachio trees grow in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Asia and some regions of Central America. For example, in the USA, the optimal climate for “green almonds” is in the south of Texas. Pistachio trees grow on rocky, poor soils. They love sunlight very much, are resistant to drought, but can also withstand severe frosts (down to -25 degrees). To survive in such harsh conditions and extract from the soil the nutrients necessary for growth and development, trees are helped by a powerful root system that goes deep underground (up to 15 meters). Pistachios can grow up to 5 meters, and in some rare cases up to 10 meters. In the wild, they almost always grow alone. Natural pistachio forests are very rare. Flowering of trees begins in April, but in some regions - in March. The nut harvest takes place at the end of August and may last until the end of September. Interestingly, nuts are collected mainly at night. When exposed to sunlight, their leaves begin to release essential oils contained in them in high concentrations. They cause dizziness and weakness in pickers. After harvesting, the nuts are thoroughly dried and the soft shell is removed. Pistachio trees produce crops only for 10-13 years, but they are real long-livers. Their lifespan is on average 300-400 years. The size of pistachios during sorting is determined by their caliber. This is the lowest calorie nut. Pistachios are widely used in cooking and confectionery. Salted nuts have become an excellent snack for low-alcohol drinks and one of the indispensable ingredients in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian cuisines. Many vegetarians, raw foodists and vegans add this product to their diet. They are used in the preparation of pates, appetizers, ice cream, salads, sauces, side dishes and fillings for stuffed fish and meat dishes. Pistachios are added when baking bread, muffins and various pastries. Deliciously flavored nuts perfectly complement chocolate in desserts. The wood of pistachio trees is used in carpentry. Tannins are obtained from their leaves for the leather industry and for the production of medicines. Pistachio trees also provide raw materials for making varnishes and paints, and their branches are often used in decoration.

Any profession has value in society, bringing certain benefits and solving assigned problems, so February 26 has become a significant date for specialists such as glass washers. This is a difficult job that requires skill and courage. In modern cities and megalopolises, buildings are growing tall, many of which have glass facades that need regular cleaning, which is what specialists in this field do. The United States is considered one of the first countries where this profession appeared. Skyscrapers and large transparent storefronts constantly required maintenance and a mirror shine. Over time, the American Window Cleaners Association was formed and grew by several thousand each year. Not long ago, it was decided to set a date for our own holiday of glass washers, immortalizing it in history on February 26 and celebrating it annually. The number was not chosen by chance - the end of winter is a period of special demand for such services, because preparations for the spring season begin and after the cold weather it is imperative to clean the windows in houses, on building facades and storefronts. The main thing for masters of their craft is to show that any work is important in this life and plays a certain role. Window washers are happy to talk about the difficulties and risks of their profession - providing washing services is not considered as simple as many people think. Windows almost always have to be washed at heights, so it is important to follow certain technologies, know the technique and, of course, have a good sense of balance. Recently, flash mobs and funny competitions have become popular; for example, they set up a “race” on the façade of a high-rise building to see who can wash their vertical windows faster and cleaner. Another popular entertainment has become the use of washing foam - drawings are created on glass, sometimes masterpieces are obtained in the form of famous paintings from the classical heritage, although they are short-lived, but the impression of those around them from what they see evokes enthusiastic emotions, surprise and remains in the memory for a long time. In addition to professionals, even the most ordinary housewife can take part in the celebration. Armed with equipment - a rag, sponge, detergents, you can start cleaning windows, thereby supporting all professional employees in the field on this day.

There are different holidays, but some of them exist only so that people always remember about the “dark” days. The Day of Khojaly genocide and national grief will forever remain such a holiday for the Azerbaijani people, because on this day, February 26, 1992, a small Azerbaijani town found itself at the epicenter of bloody events. Since then, every year Azerbaijan, remembering the grief of every Khojaly family, celebrates the Khojaly Genocide Day. The bloody events took place at the height of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan took part. On the night of February 25-26, with the support of a motorized rifle regiment and military equipment of the former USSR, the Armenians broke into Khojaly. The armed takeover was preceded by a massive shelling, as a result of which the entire city was engulfed in flames. The civilian population tried to make their way to Aghdam, since in Khojaly armed Armenians set fire to houses, executed people right on the street, and raped women and children. The bloody tragedy that took place in this small town ended with the death of 613 people, and 150 people were declared missing. It is impossible to imagine that such atrocities could occur in the 20th century, but it is absolutely impossible to forget about them, since all this should serve as a lesson to our descendants that any conflict must be resolved only democratically. As a result of the Khojaly genocide, the city was practically destroyed, the state and citizens suffered damage amounting to more than 5 billion rubles. However, the biggest losses are human lives. In memory of those killed in the bloody Khojaly massacre, memorials have been erected in the capital of Azerbaijan and other cities. February 26 is the time when every caring Azerbaijani can come and take part in the ceremony dedicated to the victims of the Khojaly genocide.

In 1892, Scottish physicist and chemist James Dewar began using a vessel with vacuum walls for storing liquefied gases for his experiments. The flask turned out to be such an effective means of thermal insulation that its design formed the basis of a thermos. The isothermal portable device was patented in 1902 by the company of the same name, Thermos, because James Dewar was unable to defend the rights to his invention. A flask with double walls, between which there is no air, has become an indispensable thing, actively used in camping conditions, at work and during rest. Therefore, every year on February 26, Thermos Day is celebrated. During Thermos Bottle Day, people around the world pay tribute to more than just the bottles that keep food and drinks hot or cold for a long time. Today, the principle of thermal insulation is used to make thermal bags, thermal mugs and other products. These things are indispensable in a situation where a person does not have the opportunity to prepare coffee, tea or cocoa, or heat food. Depending on the design, a thermos made from modern materials maintains temperature from 5-6 to 48 hours. The larger the volume of the flask, the longer its contents will remain cold or hot. It cannot be said unequivocally that the German Reinhold Burger, the founder of Thermos, stole the idea of ​​James Dewar. In fact, the author of the invention is not a Scottish scientist. Dewar borrowed the development of physicist Adolf Ferdinand Weinhold, who was the first to use glass vessels placed one inside the other without air between them for his laboratory experiments. Since 1894, R. Burger has been producing Dewar flasks at his glass factory. In order to satisfy the request of another customer, the inventor of ice generators, the businessman began experimenting with the vacuum vessels he was already producing. As a result of experiments, R. Burger realized that the temperature of not only gases, but also liquids is well preserved in flasks. Even after 24 hours, the drinks remained warm, as if they had been freshly prepared. The manufacturer improved the design, developed a formula for a more durable silver coating on the walls of the vessels, added a stopper and made the body metal. This is how the first thermos appeared, which in many respects differed significantly from Dewar’s invention. In 1906, R. Burger, together with two partners, founded the company Thermos GmbH, which was engaged in the production of vacuum bottles. Thermoses were taken on airship flights by the aeronaut Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, and by the explorers of the North Pole and Antarctica in the 1900s, Robert Peri and Ernst Shackleton. R. Burger's company supplied components for bottles to subsidiaries located in the USA, Canada, England and other countries. Later, parts for thermoses stopped being imported, and over time, other manufacturers began producing vacuum-insulated bottles. It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without Dewar’s unique invention, which was used for commercial purposes by R. Burger. That is why Thermos Day is celebrated all over the world on February 26th.

Martinian Day is celebrated on February 26 according to the folk calendar, and on February 13 according to the old style. On this day, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Martinian of Caesarea, a Christian hermit who lived in the 4th-5th centuries. As a youth, Martinian went into seclusion for many years in the desert, prayed to the Lord and was endowed by Him with the gift of curing ailments. After some time, a dissolute woman visited him; she made a bet with her friends that she could seduce the monk. But Martinian was able to resist - he stood on the hot coals of the fire, imagining that the fire of hell was much stronger. Seeing what she had done, the girl repented and asked the monk to guide her on the path of righteousness, and then went to the monastery. Among the people, the saint was considered the patron of a faithful family and a protector from temptation. They prayed to him for the well-being of the family, so that spouses would avoid love affairs on the side. And on Martinian Day, the newly-made spouses went to visit old friends, remembered previous years, and shared new events. On Martinian Day, deceased relatives were remembered. The people believed that even after death their souls took care of their living relatives. Therefore, before dusk, we went outside and peered into the sky if it was clear. The white stars seen were considered the souls of relatives, and by shouting their names, they showed the memory of the dead. In the temple they lit a candle for their repose, and the poor were given small money or food. The day was devoted to putting the home in order: sweeping the floors, washing the windows. Women avoided embroidery or yarn work so as not to lose their eyesight. There was no need to sort things out and worry about money issues. During the day the snow often melted, and at night frost fell, so the paths became slippery. It was not uncommon for residents to slip and get injured. To recover from them, peasants on Martinian Day turned to healers for special spells for dislocations or bruises. On this day the weather for spring was determined. If it was clear and warm, we were preparing for a pleasant spring season; cloudiness or snow promised dampness and coolness. Watching the sonorous singing of birds, residents prepared for imminent warming.

The last years of the outgoing 20th century for the Arab state of Kuwait will forever remain in memory, because the country was drawn into a military conflict, which was called the Gulf War. The seven-month occupation of Kuwait by Iraq, intense fighting during liberation, loss of life and damage costing tens of billions of dollars are the consequences of this war. In memory of all these events, on February 26, residents of the country celebrate the official holiday of Kuwait Liberation Day. On this day, official rallies and laying of wreaths at mourning memorials are held throughout the territory. The occupation began on August 2, 1990, when regular Iraqi troops entered the city. They managed to completely seize control of the city. The Kuwaiti army and air force retreated to Saudi Arabia. Emir Al-Sabah managed to evacuate, but his brother died during the storming of the palace. The reaction of most states was to categorically condemn Iraq's actions, and the UN Security Council imposed penalties. In January 1991, the American Congress decided to attract regular troops to liberate Kuwait, after which other members of the coalition joined them. To return freedom to Kuwait, a military operation codenamed Desert Storm was developed. At exactly three o'clock in the morning on January 17, the military began this operation, which lasted for 41 days. More than 40 countries joined the coalition and provided assistance: equipment, military personnel and medical personnel. During the liberation, the country was practically destroyed, more than 85% of the oil wells were blown up by the Iraqi army during the retreat. Kuwait was on the brink of economic and environmental disaster, but on February 26, 1991, it was completely possible to oust the invaders and restore the status quo. Remembering all these events, which have become part of history forever, the holiday of Kuwait Liberation Day is celebrated.

Orthodox holidays on February 26:

Every year on February 26, the Orthodox celebrate the day of St. Martinian of Caesarea. This saint is revered by believers as the patron saint of purity and fidelity of marriage and a strong family. People turn to Martinian with prayers for salvation from fornication and debauchery. The Palestinian saint became famous after his hermit life on a mountain near the city of Caesarea, founded by Herod the Great. Martinian fell in love with the Lord from childhood, and when the young man turned 18, he left his father’s house. In the 4th century, a young monk settled as a hermit in a cave. He was handsome in face and body, but his soul was far from earthly joys. The Saint spent all his time in prayer and reading the Psalter. For his godly life, Martinian was awarded by God the gift of healing from various diseases and casting out demons. People flocked to the monk. They asked the hermit for the salvation of the soul, healing from terrible illnesses. The devil was haunted by Martinian's godly life. The enemy of the human race turned into a snake and began to undermine the Saint’s home. The monk continued to pray, despite the threat of his cell collapsing. The defeated devil withdrew, leaving the saint alone for a while. Martinian lived as a hermit for 25 years in solitude and prayer, when new temptations arose. In the city there lived a young harlot woman whose name was Zoya. She heard from other people about the holy, immaculate, beautiful Martinian. Driven by devilish intent, Zoya changed into rags and asked to spend the night with the saint on a rainy, cold night. The saint let the poor wanderer into his home, moved by love for God. The harlot changed her dirty rags, dressing up in expensive and beautiful clothes that she took with her. Zoya approached the monk with her flattering speeches, seducing him with her robe and young body. The temptation was very strong, but love for God overcame the temptation. Martinian brought brushwood to his cell and lit a fire. He stood in the fire, burning his flesh and crying out to the Lord for salvation. Seeing the faith of the saint, Zoya repented and fell on her knees before the monk, begging him to forgive her. The hermit blessed the girl to live in the monastery of St. Paul, where she went and lived there for 12 years, after which she died. The monk healed his burns and left Caesarea, settling on a rock by the sea. He lived in the open air, weaving baskets, exchanging them for meager food from the shipowner. Once, during a storm, a beautiful girl Svetlana (in Orthodoxy - Photinia) was thrown onto the island by the sea. Martinian saved the beauty, left her meager food and baskets, and he himself threw himself into the sea and swam away from the island. Photinia lived on the rock for 6 years, praying to God. Her only support was the shipman, who brought food every few months. He also witnessed the holy death of Photinia. Martinian was carried out of the sea by two dolphins. The saint led the life of a wanderer for two years. Feeling the approach of death, the monk came to the city of Athens, fell to the floor in the temple and called for a priest. This is how Saint Martinian ended his earthly journey. On February 26, the Orthodox remember together with the venerable saints Zoya and Photinia.

Memorial Day of St. Zoya and Photinia