February 27 is International Polar Bear Day. Despite the lack of official status since the 2000s, this day is widely celebrated by the international community. Polar, northern, white - its international scientific name is Ursus maritimus - sea bear. The largest land mammal of the order of carnivores is being honored with annual public attention due to the possible threat of population decline. The threat of extinction of polar bears, which arose in the 20th century, forced the world community to discuss the problem at the international level. In 1954 and 1956, the International Union for Conservation of Nature discussed this issue at its General Assemblies. In Oslo, on November 15, 1973, the governments of Norway, the USA, Canada, Denmark, and the USSR signed the “Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears.” Realizing the responsibility for protecting the flora and fauna of the Arctic region, states agreed that the polar bear needs additional protection and introduced restrictions on its production (capture, shooting, hunting). Considering that the only predator and enemy for northern bears is a person trying to get a luxurious bear skin and meat, the actions taken to a certain extent helped restore the bear population. Unfortunately, the development of the sea coast and shelf of the northern part of the planet and global climate change have a negative impact on the survival of the Arctic symbol - the polar bear. Warming is causing a significant reduction in the ice cover that sea bears need to rest, hunt and raise their young. The polar bear, being the object of biological research, helps humanity find the answer to the question of the viability of the organism in conditions in which it is difficult to survive, almost impossible. On this day, everyone can give a small gift to polar bears and contribute to the preservation of the living space of the inhabitants of the northern ice floes and seas. Tell your friends about the holiday, reduce the power of your home heating appliances. Bears can't stand heat. Let them live on the planet, let humans not become the predator because of which the population of this animal could disappear forever.

Life is in constant motion. The world is changing, new threats and new technologies are emerging. Terrorism, difficult relations with other countries. Changes in the world cannot but affect each country individually. The armed forces are a mirror of the processes taking place in society and the country. The realities of the modern world have forced us to reconsider the concept of special events and the units that are responsible for their implementation. In 2013, new military formations appeared in the Armed Forces. The creation of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) began in 2009 with the deployment of the Special Operations Directorate, which reports directly to the Chief of the General Staff. Until this point, there were separate structures performing similar tasks. The new branch of the military is a mobile, specially trained army group equipped with high-tech weapons and equipment. The goals and objectives of the MTR are to protect the interests of the country both domestically and abroad, in times of peace and war. Units are in constant readiness and immediate response. On February 27, professionals celebrate their holiday: career officers and contract soldiers, they are the ones who staff the MTR units. The slogan “polite people” instantly spread throughout the country and the world precisely thanks to the professionalism of these specialists. The baptism by fire took place in Crimea in February-March 2014. With virtually no shots fired (counting shots in the air is stupid), all important facilities and army units were occupied by people in camouflage uniforms, without insignia. Unlike similar parts of other countries, our intelligence officers first of all work with their heads, but do not break bricks, but find the optimal solution to the task at hand. All military personnel are not only specialists in military affairs. Having a PhD is not uncommon; knowledge of foreign languages ​​is a prerequisite. Since March 2013, fighters have been training in their own training centers. They allow you to acquire and practice unique skills and techniques that will be useful when performing special operations. Official definitions are difficult to understand, to put it simply: • Special operations – all actions of troops that are aimed at completing tasks, carried out according to one plan to achieve certain goals; • Special actions - events that are carried out by special forces using methods unusual for conventional forces. The set of methods and methods of such actions depends on the task at hand: subversive, counter-sabotage, reconnaissance and sabotage, anti-partisan, etc. Future MTR fighters are selected from various branches of the military. A prerequisite is contract service and experience in operating as part of special forces. Military personnel are prohibited from communicating with the press, and the reason for this is absolutely clear. Often a veil of secrecy and reputation work better than a bullet. The units' experience and skills are used in Syria. The fighters conduct reconnaissance of terrorist targets, providing strikes by our aviation. The date of the holiday was not chosen by chance. On this day, the MTR really showed their abilities and training. “Polite people” have become the calling card of our special forces. Despite their youth, units of the Special Operations Forces suffer losses, without which, unfortunately, combat operations cannot take place. Congratulating the Special Forces military personnel on their professional holiday, we remember those who died who fulfilled their military duty with honor.

Pessimists and optimists are two categories into which all people can be roughly divided. The former cannot be called pleasant to communicate with, since they tend to see the world around them in shades of gray. But life is much easier for optimists, since everything around them is colored in the brightest colors. Every day of an optimist's life is filled with bright emotions. He is not subject to depression and severe stress. It has been established that people with a positive attitude towards life get sick less often than pessimists. The popular expression “all diseases come from nerves” is generally correct. An optimist has many friends. Even pessimists like them, since a cheerful person effectively helps to cope with life's adversities. It is not surprising that these cheerful people deserve their own holiday - February 27 - International Optimist Day. The exact origin of the holiday is unknown, and, unfortunately, it is not yet a state holiday. Whoever came up with this holiday, he probably wanted to contribute to the fight against melancholy and despondency. Why exactly February 27? Most likely, because this winter month is snowy and cold. Winter does not want to give up ground and give way to spring. And at this time you want a little joy, fun and sun. The holiday helps to temporarily forget about everyday troubles and troubles. The best way to celebrate is pleasant gatherings with relatives or friends, when you can laugh a lot, enjoy a pleasant conversation and just the company of loved ones.

In 1996, Japanese game designer Satoshi Tajiri developed a unique game of its kind specifically for the new console, to which two consoles could be connected simultaneously. He came up with a fresh idea - to create a story that featured monsters and give players the opportunity to trade them to build collections. This is how Pokemon appeared. By that time, Tajiri's company was going through hard times. They urgently needed a real hit. The game designer worked for a very long time to develop his brainchild. At that time, he couldn’t even pay his subordinates properly for their work, but soon all these efforts paid off. According to one popular legend, Tajiri's Pokemon character designs were inspired by the common bugs he loved to collect as a child. Perhaps this is why the design of the little monsters turned out to be so unusual and attractive. Pokémon originally had a completely different pilot name. The legend of the global gaming industry, when it was still in development, was called kapumon, but as a result it was decided to rename it pocket monsters - Pokemon (pocket). When the game broke all popularity records, an anime was created based on it, and then a manga. In Russia, the first acquaintance with Pokemon for many children occurred precisely after the broadcast of a multi-part cartoon about the adventures of the boy Ash (the owner of that same Pikachu) and his two friends, who regularly fought with a stupid team of villains from Team R and got into trouble, but replenished their collection of little ones. monsters living in special balls. The production of related products has begun in Russia. Pokemon chips appeared, which at that time were actively used to play a simple but very popular game. The chips were also collectible. There was also the release of figurines, which were usually sold with sweets. Children collected little monsters at home. The success of Pokémon inspired many other companies to create similar monsters, which differed in design from the original, but were assembled according to a similar principle. Everyone forgot about Pokemon for a while. In the fall of 2002, the third generation of the game was released. After this, Nintendo took a five-year break, but returned to the franchise again in 2007. By 2017, seven generations of games had already been released. In Russia, this was an old game, which caused pleasant nostalgia for many, but still no one planned to return to it, but the developers did not plan to stop there. They needed to adapt to modern trends to keep up with the times, so Pokemon GO was released, a free game for smartphones. Its main feature was catching Pokemon in reality. The application connected to the device’s camera and superimposed its own image onto the image received in real time. The Pokemon seemed to fit into the surrounding reality, which created a certain effect of presence. The application also connected to GPS, determining the location of players. Monsters appeared in different parts of the city, where the player had to go immediately if he wanted to replenish his collection. After the blatant catching of Pokemon in one of the Russian temples, the game, like those who played with it, received strong condemnation from the public, but this only added to its popularity. The success of the anime, which many still watch with pleasure, prompted the creators to think about shooting a full-length film. The main role in the film with detective elements went to Pikachu. Ash's favorite monster was created using computer graphics. In the total collection, the number of Pokemon is gradually approaching a thousand. Today there are already more than 800. February 27 is International Pokemon Day, a unique holiday of its kind dedicated to the monsters from the old game for the Nintendo console, which is now a quarter of a century old.

Indian classical dances involve the hands, feet and facial expressions of the performer who masters the art of abhinaya ("the art of expression"). The culmination of the dramatic action that unfolds on stage is reflected in the eyes of the dancer. His gaze follows the movements of his hands, while his facial expression gives meaning to his gestures. Using mudras, a special combination of hands and fingers, the dancer conveys various emotions and depicts events. When a performer, for example, shows with his hand movements the opening of a lotus, his eyes give this gesture additional meaning. If the flower is beautiful, the look reflects surprise; if there is a poisonous snake in it, it reflects fear and horror. Eyes are the mirror of the soul. When a person is strained to rejoice, only the lips are involved in this process, while the gaze does not express any emotions. False smiles, if given by a loved one, alarm and repel the people around them. Scientists have been struggling with the mystery of the Mona Lisa for many decades. The position of her lips, as depicted by the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci, does not coincide with the facial expressions of her eyes. This makes the model’s smile forced and insincere. Some researchers see this peaceful facial expression as a reflection of the state of a pregnant woman, while others see thoughtfulness, slyness and even anger. In psychology, the concept of “Duchenne smile” is found, named after the outstanding physiologist and neurologist of the 19th century. According to the scientist, the sincere expression of emotions of joy and happiness involves not only the corners of the lips, but also the muscles around the eyes. The signs of this genuine smile were revealed by the Frenchman Guillaume Duchesne. It is the opposite of the false grimace of joy that a person puts on out of decency and etiquette. Everyone who agrees with Duchenne’s conclusions celebrates an unusual holiday on February 27 - the Day of Smiles with the Eyes. Optimists, who are not used to being sad and grieving, notice only the good in all manifestations of life. They know how to laugh at themselves and the current circumstances, without fear of the appearance of facial wrinkles around the eyes. Their spiritual manifestations are sincere and infect those around them with cheerfulness and self-confidence. Positive people's eyes shine with happiness. They are not afraid of the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and wrinkles in the form of rays near the corners of the eyes in the future. Follow the example of optimists on February 27! But don't force yourself to smile in honor of the holiday. Find a reason to rejoice, to see “the sun peeking out from behind the clouds” in any situation, and not to depict the happiness and pleasure you get from life. Allow yourself to laugh sincerely in honor of Smile Day with your eyes.

Lobio, pkhali, matsoni, khinkali, lavash, kharcho, kuchmachi - these Georgian names please the ear and invariably whet the appetite of true gourmets. The most popular among all famous dishes is khachapuri - open or closed flatbread with egg, butter and cheese. This type of bread is baked in an oven or clay pot. There are more than 50 types of khachapuri according to the region of their preparation - Adjarian, Mingrelian, Guril, Meskhetian, Tusheti, etc. Traditionally, the dough for ხაჭაპური is prepared with matsoni, and Imeretian cheese is most often used as a filling. But in addition to sourdough with a fermented milk product, the cook can use yeast or puff pastry, suluguni or feta cheese. The appearance of imeruli, megruli, rachuli, guruli and other types of flatbreads dates back to the 12th century. Almost a thousand years later, the dish has not lost its polarity, today serving as the calling card of the country. Since 2020, on February 27, at the initiative of the Gastronomic Association of Georgia, Khachapuri Day is celebrated. The name of one of the most famous food products is a combination of the words “khacha” (in translation from Georgian - “cottage cheese”) and “puri”, which came from India and means “bread”. To bake a quadrangular flatbread, a flour product in the shape of a boat or a crescent, different cooking technologies are used. Gurian-style khachapuri with a boiled egg inside is reminiscent of an Italian calzone. One of the most difficult to prepare is achma. This variety of khachapuri is called Georgian lasagna. To prepare achma, thin sheets of dough are used, which are greased with butter, and cheese is placed between the layers. Poet and singer of original songs Hayk Lalunts often sings about a popular dish in Georgia in her poems: Georgian noisy feasts, attended by numerous relatives and friends, are still a national tradition. But the changing pace of modern life dictates its own rules. A type of street food that has become very popular in the age of speed is foamani. This type of khachapuri, shaped like a small triangle of puff pastry with cheese, is consumed by Georgians on the go. At home, traditionally, pkhlovani with beet tops and spinach reigns on the table, and boat-shaped acharuli, which is eaten by dipping pieces of dough into a filling of butter, egg, cottage cheese or suluguni. The Big Mac Index has been a currency exchange rate indicator since 1986 and a way of determining purchasing power parity. Khachapuri is one of the staple foods in Georgia. The dish, invented by mountain shepherds, is eaten in every family. Therefore, in 2010, the International School of Economics of Tbilisi State University developed the Khachapuri Index. It allows you to track fluctuations in inflation rates by comparing the cost of making traditional flatbread over different periods of time. In 2011, a patent for khachapuri was issued in Georgia. A year earlier, the national cuisine dish was given the status of a monument of intangible cultural heritage. In honor of him, Georgians, gourmets and lovers of noisy meals, celebrate Khachapuri Day with joy and scope.

The symptom of complete loss of smell is called anosmia. It can be temporary or permanent, congenital (Kallmann syndrome) or acquired and is most often associated with diseases of the respiratory tract. The ability to distinguish odors allows a person to experience pleasure from food and the aroma of flowers, and to receive signals of danger (for example, at the first sign of a fire or gas leak). American Daniel Shane, who suffers from anosmia, decided to raise awareness among his compatriots about the loss of smell. His proposal was supported by the British charity Fifth Sense. At their initiative, people around the world began to celebrate February 27 as Anosmia Awareness Day. In honor of Anosmia Awareness Day, seminars, lectures and conferences are held. In 2015, Fifth Sense, which specializes in supporting people with smell and taste loss disorders, launched the #LongLostSmell online campaign. It was aimed at raising funds for patients suffering from memory loss and the ability to distinguish aromas. On February 27, medical experts hold talks and symposiums to discuss factors that trigger anosmia and ways to combat it. Most often, the causes of complete or partial loss of smell (hyposmia) are:• head injuries;• tumors of the brain or respiratory tract;• Alzheimer's disease;• viral infections;• atherosclerosis;• allergic rhinitis;• operations on the nose and sinuses;• household burns and radiation exposure of the head and neck. Treatment of anosmia depends on the circumstances of its occurrence and the disease that caused this syndrome. The sense of smell in humans is much less developed than in animals, but still plays an important role in life. Loss of pleasure from eating and drinking is a major complaint of people suffering from anosmia. By the age of 70-80, its symptoms are observed in most older people. Previously, there was an opinion that the average person could smell about 10,000 types of odors. According to the latest research by scientists, he is able to distinguish 1.72 trillion combinations of aromas thanks to a gene that, oddly enough, is responsible for the development of polycystic kidney disease. The ability to identify at least part of the declared number of odors is inherent in representatives of the specialty called “nose” in professional slang. People with a keen sense of smell and a good memory for aromas work in the perfume industry, winemaking and forensics. Anosmia is a symptom of a malfunction in the body and is difficult to treat. Therefore, it is very important to know why there is a decrease or complete loss of smell, which significantly worsens the quality of life. A person suffering from ansomia will not feel that the food is spoiled or smells bad, and therefore runs the risk of becoming a victim of food poisoning. Such people have a pathological craving for cleanliness: due to the loss of smell, they can take a shower several times a day, for fear of causing discomfort to others due to the smell of sweat. Anosmia Awareness Day, which is celebrated on February 27, is intended to draw attention to and raise awareness about anosmia.

Castration and sterilization of pets is one of the most humane and effective ways to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs. The movement dedicated to this event originated in 1995 in Washington within the Animal League, led by the American Doris Day. In 1996, the organization merged with the Humane Society of the United States. Over time, other countries joined the World Spay Day they founded, which is held to popularize the castration of pets. In 2015, on the initiative of a veterinarian from St. Petersburg - Russia. The idea of ​​controlling the number of yard cats and dogs annually finds support among supporters of the movement. That's why World Pet Neutering Day is celebrated on the last Tuesday of February. The existence of World Spay Day solves several problems. One of them is the presence of prejudices and stereotypes among owners of cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and raccoons regarding the humaneness of sterilization. However, it is castration that allows stray animals to avoid being shot or poisoned. Shelters are often overcrowded and, despite the availability of food and care from volunteers, they do not solve the problem of the growing number of stray dogs and cats. Therefore, activists advocate during World Spay Day for their sterilization in veterinary clinics. Thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, castration of animals is performed quickly and is well tolerated by them. Proper care of your pet after surgery helps maintain its quality of life at the same level. In addition, holding World Animal Sterilization Day is one of the ways to combat the atrocities of dog hunters and flayers. The Orthodox Church does not approve of World Spay Day, considering it a violation of the idea of ​​the universe, but recognizes that the castration of our little brothers brings more benefits than its absence. Therefore, tailed residents are also sent for sterilization in Christian charity homes. On the last Tuesday of February, events are held around the world to raise people's awareness of the problem of uncontrolled animal reproduction. Veterinary clinics provide free consultations and sterilization of four-legged patients. Charitable organizations collect donations for the castration of stray animals caught by volunteers on the street or in shelters. Volunteers spread information about World Spay Day online through social networks or during events in support of castration. The clergy explain to the flock that the commandment “Thou shalt not kill!” does not apply to pets, and that the lesser of two evils must be chosen. Therefore, World Pet Neutering Day finds support among various segments of the population who think progressively and sincerely worry about cats and dogs abandoned on the streets.

World NGO Day is celebrated annually on February 27th. It was on this day in 1959 that the term "international non-governmental organization" was used in a UN resolution. Such social groups are also called the third sector. They imply associations of people who strive to help others and do not aim to make profit. It is a structured part of civil society. The other two sectors are government associations and commercial ones. Non-governmental organizations are formed as a result of the initiative of their founders. Associations of caring people who set themselves the task of benefiting society have always existed. But their rapid growth began in the second half of the twentieth century. Today there are approximately 10 million different non-governmental organizations operating in the world. They often implement unique projects that have no analogues in the public or private sector. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) today perform the following tasks: • protect the interests of children and adults with disabilities; • provide assistance to the poor; • help victims of natural disasters or armed conflicts; • protect animals; • engage in the restoration of cultural monuments. NGOs use subsidies, grants and private donations in their activities. Some projects are also being implemented with the involvement of budget funds, which reimburse the provision of social and public benefit services. Due to foreign sources of funding, more than a third of NGOs operating in Russia today have foreign agent status. In the Russian Federation, non-governmental organizations are most widely represented in sports. They are also active in the following areas: • education; • art; • culture; • patriotic education of youth; • provision of social services to the population; • charity. World NGO Day has been celebrated since 2010. Today it is known in more than 80 countries around the world. On this day, thematic events of various sizes are held. These are forums, lectures, seminars, exhibitions. Educational work is being carried out in educational institutions. The initiative aims to: • achieving a greater understanding of the principles of work of non-governmental organizations at the international level, as well as national and local; • highlighting the activities and successes of NGOs in various fields; • providing such organizations with a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge.

In the folk calendar, the date February 27 (February 14, old style) is celebrated as the day of Cyril the Spring Pointer. The name of the day is partly taken from a church holiday - the honor of St. Cyril, who became one of the first teachers of Christianity among the Slavs. Cyril's name in the world was Constantine; together with his brother Methodius, they grew up in a noble family in Greece and received an excellent education. Having received the position of presbyter in the temple of Constantinople, Cyril was sent with his brother to the Slavic lands to educate local residents in Christianity. He was engaged in translating books from Greek into Slavic, and also taught people to read and write, and developed an alphabet for the Slavs. On St. Cyril’s Day, there was a tradition of trampling snow in gardens in order to retain the maximum amount of water for the earth when the weather warmed up. It was believed that the more snow lies on the ground, the more harvest it will produce. An ordinary peasant family had a garden of 10-15 beds, which was enough to grow vegetables and herbs for their own food. Women and older children tended vegetable gardens, while men worked in the fields. After compacting the snow, they prepared a hot non-alcoholic drink - sbiten. To prepare it, the owners mixed two ingredients into one vessel - honey and an infusion of herbs. Before the advent of tea, sbiten served as its analogue and had anti-inflammatory and warming properties. Women who gave birth on Cyril's day visited midwives who delivered their babies. They were thanked for a successful birth by bringing various treats: pies, pancakes, sausages. It was not a sin to bring wine or beer to the midwife. The spring pointer named Cyril's day for predicting what spring would be like on a given day. The abundance of snow was used to predict the future harvest quantity. If frost struck on a given day, they expected a hot, dry summer, and if a thaw occurred, they prepared for the coming frosts. The chirping of tits was observed before warming.

Orthodox holidays on February 27:

The day of remembrance of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril, the Slovenian teacher, is celebrated on February 27. It is difficult to overestimate the significance of the activity of this saint for all Slavic peoples, because he was responsible for the invention of the alphabet and the translation of liturgical books. Equal to the Apostles Cyril (worldly name Constantine) was born in Thessaloniki in 827 into the family of a well-born but disgraced commander. Orphaned at the age of 12, Constantine came under the tutelage of a significant Byzantine official and received an excellent education from the best teachers in Constantinople. The young man was distinguished by his extensive knowledge in many areas, especially distinguished himself in the study of foreign languages, for which he received the nickname Philosopher. Teachers and close people prophesied a brilliant career for him, and his guardian gives his blessing for Konstantin’s betrothal to his goddaughter. But the young man increasingly recalled his childhood dream, where he chose a bride named Sophia, that is, Wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom were so desirable for Constantine that he decided to neglect the benefits of worldly life and retired to one of the Black Sea monasteries. After some time, the Philosopher was returned to the capital, where he began teaching and missionary work, in which he achieved great success. After the murder of his guardian, Constantine and his disciples find refuge within the monastery walls, the abbot of which was his brother Methodius. The brothers preach Christianity to different nations, converting the Bulgarians, Scythians and Khazar nomads to the faith of Christ. In 862, Constantine and Methodius were sent to the Moravian lands to explain Christian tenets in the local language. In Moravia, the Solunsky brothers introduced the Slavic alphabet over the course of three years, translated the Bible into Slavic, and taught Moravians to read and write in their native language. But not everyone was happy with the activities of the learned brothers. In the highest spiritual circles there was an opinion that theological texts could only be spoken in three languages: Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Therefore, in Rome, Constantine and Methodius were considered heretics, and they were ordered to confess to the Pope. On the way to Rome, the brothers became educators in another Slavic state - Pannonia, where they introduced worship in the Slavic language. Upon arrival in Rome, the inventors of the Slavic alphabet managed to convince the Pope of the correctness of their activities, but the victory was overshadowed by the state of Constantine’s health, undermined by a long, exciting journey. 50 days before his death, the saint becomes a monk, taking the name Cyril. Under this name he gained eternal glory as an equal-to-the-apostles enlightener. The last words addressed to his brother called on Methodius to continue their difficult work. In folk tradition, St. Cyril's day was associated with the agricultural cult. It was considered very favorable for the future harvest to keep the snow on the beds; for this purpose it was first trampled down. Kirill was also called the indicator of summer weather. Severe frosts foreshadowed a sultry August. Sunny weather warned of the coming of frost, and the loud chirping of tits warned of imminent warmth.

Memorial Day of the Monk Maron, the Hermit of Syria