On January 2, Science Fiction Day is celebrated all over the world. This unofficial holiday was dedicated to the birthday of Isaac Asimov, the famous American science fiction writer, popularizer of science and author of the Three Laws of Robotics, to which all “good” smart machines in cinema and literature have been subject since the middle of the last century. Asimov wrote more than five hundred works. Along with Highline and Clarke, he was one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers. It was Asimov who coined the terms “robot”, “psychohistory”, “positronic”. Science fiction has existed since the time of Jules Verne, but a sharp leap in its development was the literary world's response to drastic social and economic changes in society. This genre became incredibly popular due to the industrial revolution of the end of the last century and scientific and technological progress, which became its final touch. Science fiction writers usually created utopias. They thought and fantasized about “what would happen if...”. Scientific achievements became the main source of inspiration for writers of this genre. Classic examples of early science fiction are the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Later such masters of words as Ray Bradbury, Andrei Belyanin, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov appeared. Their utopian works were imbued with philosophical ideas sewn into the fabric of the narrative. In their works, the authors of the new wave raised important questions. Now it was not enough for them to simply imagine where science would go tomorrow. They wanted to understand how society would react to this and where all this could lead us. Science fiction is gradually gaining a lot of new directions. Among them, cyberpunk became one of the most popular in the 80s. In this direction, the world is usually enslaved by all-powerful corporations that establish total control over society. The works of cyberpunk authors usually tell about lone fighters, charismatic inspirers who wage a desperate struggle against the soulless machine of power. Steampunk is a direction that was opposed to cyberpunk. It arose from a symbiosis of arts and crafts, inspired by steam energy, and high technology. The main theme of works in chrono-fiction is time travel - a topic that excites the minds of scientists to this day. Alternative-historical science fiction talks about what kind of present would await all of us if certain events in the past might not have happened at all or led to a completely different result. The full list of science fiction trends includes a dozen more items, but this genre, which originated in literature, subsequently seeped into other areas of art, painting, cinema, and even architecture. Science fiction fans have long discussed the issue of introducing a holiday that would be common to everyone. They argued on various virtual platforms for years, until finally US enthusiasts came to a compromise. Since 2012, they have celebrated Science Fiction Day on January 2nd. Although science fiction fans in the rest of the world are still arguing, many of them still agreed with the American choice. Isaac Asimov is a revered author who is considered by many to be a genius of the genre, making his birthday a perfect date for this holiday. On January 2, fans not only send each other congratulatory letters, they organize meetings and major events where they get together, share pleasant emotions, talk about new products in the genre and look for like-minded people.

Many holidays are celebrated on January 2, among them the international holiday – Day of Motivation and Inspiration. Despite the fact that many people greet the beginning of January with joy that has not passed since the New Year's feast, the history of the birth of the international Day of Motivation and Inspiration has a sad basis. The history of this holiday originated in the United States. American citizen McCrudden, after the September tragedy of 2001, decided to remind all US citizens that there is a lot of beautiful and interesting things in the world, and life did not end on September 11. He called on all people of the world to change their lives for the better, relying on a source of inspiration. He motivated this by the fact that in the life of every person there is someone for whose sake he will go to great deeds and accomplishments. He was supported by many Americans, and the first Motivation and Inspiration Day in the United States of America was held on December 18, 2001. McCrudden was also supported by the world community, as a result of which January 2 was declared the International Day of Inspiration and Motivation. The beginning of the year is a good time to find motivation for the whole year. Motivation is the basis of any business. It is she who gives impetus and impetus to any action. Motivation helps you achieve what you want and bring everything to its logical conclusion, regardless of mentality or cultural differences. Also, without motivation, there is no desire to engage in creativity or a favorite activity, passion or hobby. Motivation gives impetus to learning new things and inspires great deeds. Motivation plays a big role in people's lives. Most people look for inspiration in the world around them, beyond their mental perception. And many manage to see inspiration in the vastness of space and the depths of the ocean. Others look for inspiration within themselves, in their creative ideas. But no matter where people found inspiration, without it they were soulless machines. Without inspiration, the world would not have seen the paintings of the great masters of the Renaissance, would not have heard magnificent and bewitching music, would not have known the beauty of the nature around us. In celebration of Motivation and Inspiration Day, people celebrating this holiday prefer to think about their future actions and share their inspiration with others. They motivate their actions by the fact that they strive to achieve their goals and want to share their inspiration with people they like.

World Introvert Day is celebrated on January 2. This unofficial holiday began to be celebrated all over the world in 2011. After the New Year, introverts need to recharge and replenish the energy that was spent on forced communication with others. This day allows you to draw attention to introversion, and prove that introverts are amazing people. Many introverts focus on a particular topic and study it thoroughly, delving into all the intricacies. It is for this reason that they often become experts in various fields. They love to learn and expand their knowledge base. They are much more comfortable working alone than in a large team. In such an environment, you can concentrate and find the right solution to any problem. When interacting with others, part of the attention is occupied by their presence, which means it is quite difficult to concentrate on something. In a comfortable environment, introverts are ready to generate many ideas, which often turn out to be brilliant. Unlike extroverts, introverts find it quite difficult to create a strong first impression of themselves. However, over time it becomes clear that the result of their work is much better than the first. Introverts are always interested in what impression others have of them, so they cannot afford mistakes and missteps. People who are introverted listen more than they talk. They choose their words carefully because they know their value. In difficult times, when many are panic-stricken, introverts are looking for ways to adapt to new conditions. They always have a backup plan in case something doesn't go according to plan. The worlds created in the minds of introverts help improve the world in which we live. This personality type is often found among artists, performers, writers and musicians. Famous creative personalities - Lady Gaga, J. K. Rowling, Emma Watson, David Letterman, Harrison Ford, Courteney Cox, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Keanu Reeves. This list can be continued for a very long time. Introverts often become influential people. They have many chances to snatch leadership from extroverts. They are smart, talented, know how to dream and believe in a bright future.

Americans Thomas Roy and his wife Ruth are the authors of many funny holidays. With their light hand, residents of the United States and other countries of the world celebrate the Days of capricious employees, bald and free, family stories and wonderful eccentrics. The Roy couple love pets - they dedicated several holidays to them. One of them is the New Meow Year for cats, which is celebrated annually on January 2. Happy Mew Year for Cats Day first appeared in the holiday calendar in 2016. Thomas Roy and his wife decided that cats should have their own New Year and came up with a special date for it - January 2. On this day, furry pets all over the world receive congratulations from their owners. They pamper their pets with treats, give gifts and have parties with other “cat people.” In honor of the holiday, it is customary to do charity work - treat homeless animals to food, visit nurseries and shelters. To some, Happy Mew Year for Cats Day will seem like excess, an absurd whim of owners in love with their pets. However, the idea of ​​the holiday pales against the background of stories about cats who are used to living literally on a grand scale. The passion of some owners for their pets knows no bounds. The famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld bequeathed about 200 million dollars to the Choupette cat. The heiress had a personal account during the owner’s lifetime: it contained fees for her filming for a Japanese clothing brand and advertising her personal page on Instagram. On average, little Shuppet earned up to 3 million euros a year. Lagerfeld compared her to actress Greta Garbo. Monty the cat also makes good money from T-shirts, pillows and other souvenirs with his image. He was taken from an animal shelter, where he ended up due to his unusual appearance. Monty has a congenital chromosomal abnormality - the cat does not have a nasal septum, which did not prevent him from becoming an Instagram star. The owner of the famous Grumpy Cat has earned more than one million dollars from his pet. After a photo of “Grumpy Cat,” whose actual name is Tardar Sauce, appeared on the Internet in 2012, the whole world learned about the purr. Grumpy Cat is a character in 2 books and several commercials. The coffee drink Grumppuccino is named after him. 2013 was a special year for the mustachioed social media star - he was awarded the Meme of the Year award. The mustachioed Blackie is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the richest cat in the world. He was the last of 15 pets who lived with English millionaire and antiques connoisseur Ben Rea. Blackie, who spent the last years of his life with his owner, inherited more than 12 million pounds sterling. The care of the antique dealer's pet is carried out by 3 charitable organizations, to which Mr. Rea bequeathed money with an indispensable condition - caring for the cat. Not every owner can pamper their pet with millions of dollars. But cats don’t need this - they love their owners sincerely and selflessly. Therefore, the desire to celebrate a holiday visited by furry purrs is completely justified. As a sign of love and gratitude to our smaller brothers, the New Meow Year of Cats was invented.

Cheese, chocolate, knives and watches labeled as Swiss Made are the embodiment of the highest quality and a source of pride for the Swiss. The main wealth of the country is craftsmen with golden hands and, of course, nature. Cows graze on the alpine meadows, rich in mountain grasses - a source of dairy products. January 2 is Swiss Cheese Day, which is highly valued for its delicate taste and aroma. Hundreds of varieties of this traditional dish are widely known; the recipes for some go back almost a thousand years. Emmental is produced from high-quality unpasteurized milk, a “classic of the genre”, with a nutty flavor and a hint of bitter herbs. The next most popular hard rennet cheese is the salty, ivory-colored Gruyère, followed by Appenzeller, infused with wine and cider, and then the super-hard Sbrinz. For fondue and raclette, processed varieties are used - Vacherin Fribourgeois, Brie and Charfe Max. The Swiss initially used soft curd cheese, but due to the fact that it could not be stored for a long time, the recipe for the dish was improved. In the 15th century The first hard varieties appeared, on which, like the greenish Schapziger, stamps were applied confirming the authenticity of the product. The monks, who often made their own cheeses, kept large stocks of them in cellars for travelers passing through the passes. With the advent of long-term storage technologies, the dish has become a particularly valuable commodity. In Europe, the product of Swiss cheesemakers often served as fare. Swiss Cheese Day, celebrated on January 2, falls on St. Berthold's Day. This holiday was established in honor of the founder of the city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. According to one legend, Duke Berthold was known as a big cheese lover. Therefore, on January 2, two celebrations are celebrated at once: one in honor of the publication in 1191 of the order to found the city on the banks of the Aare River, the second - a traditional national dish. The first cheese production plant on an industrial scale was opened in Switzerland in 1815. Farmers continued to produce Emmental, Raclette, Fuyurtufel and Piora in dairy cooperatives. The country exported not only butter, milk and cheeses, but also cheesemakers. They worked in the USA, Eastern Europe and Russia. Thus, the result of assistance in creating the dairy industry was Tilsiter cheese, named after the city of Tilsit (today Sovetsk, located in the Kaliningrad region). January 2 is widely celebrated in Bern and Zurich. In honor of the holiday, the Swiss actively have fun, communicate and, of course, taste cheese dishes. Swiss Cheese Day is celebrated by both real gourmets and ordinary people who love tasty, wholesome and healthy food. Farmers from the mountain peaks of the Alps, the banks of the Emme River and the caves of Kaltbach offer to try at fairs the most expensive thing they have - nutritious and aromatic, white, sun-colored or ivory cheese.

The first pillows as bedding to support the head while sleeping appeared in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. From stone stands for the pharaohs' intricate hairstyles, accessories were transformed into bags filled with feathers and down. The ancient Greeks used them for comfort while sleeping, stuffing them with animal hair and herbs. Today, few people imagine a night's rest without a headrest, which ensures the correct position of the spine in a horizontal position. That's why Soft Pillow Day is celebrated on January 2. Initially, only rich people could afford sleeping supplies. In China, jade or porcelain pillows were made only for members of the imperial family and wealthy officials. In Ancient Greece, elaborate and richly decorated soft headrests were considered an attribute of wealth, so they were very expensive. In Rus', kings, merchants and nobles slept and decorated their beds with goose down pillows. The covers were made from silk and other expensive fabrics, embroidered with gold threads. The peasants stuffed canvas bags to support their heads with hops, herbs, straw and horsehair. The soldiers took pillows on the campaign, inside of which were sewn cereals and oats for horses. At Christmas, spruce branches were hidden inside the bag, which were said to bring happiness and fulfill wishes. In Rus', soft pillows of at least 6 pieces were considered a good dowry for the bride. Girls of marriageable age beautifully embroidered pillowcases and other bed linen. Pillows were used to decorate the sofa and for warmth when riding in a carriage or riding a horse. They were placed under the knees during prayer in church. While embroidering little thought pillows, the girls dreamed of betrothed and marriage, and thought about married life. This is where the name of this accessory for interior decor in the bedroom or living room comes from. Today, pillows of all shapes and colors are manufactured on an industrial scale and filled with natural or artificial material. They are used for comfortable sleep and rest, support for the neck or spine while traveling by car or during flights. Pillows for pregnant women and soft horseshoe-shaped pillows for nursing are very popular. Animal-shaped bags filled with polystyrene foam are used to relieve stress. Its balls are easy to feel through the fabric of the case and pleasant to roll between your fingers. There is no other bedding that brings greater benefits to a person's physical and mental health. The accessory has become such an indispensable item and an important component of everyday life that a separate date was set aside in the calendar to celebrate it. That's why a funny holiday is celebrated on January 2 - Soft Pillow Day.

Orthodox Christians living in different countries of the world have common holidays rooted in paganism. So, on January 2 (December 20, old style) in Rus', Gostevik has long been celebrated, during which it was customary to visit relatives, friends and acquaintances or receive them at home. In Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia, Chicken Christmas is celebrated on this day. According to tradition, early in the morning housewives fed the poultry with leftover food from the master's table, and then, together with other household members, waited for guests. Compliance with this custom attracted wealth and prosperity into life. The first person to come into the house was given the title of anointed chicken. He was obliged to spend the entire day as a guest, sitting motionless on a mountain of pillows, setting an example to the laying hens on how to properly hatch eggs. For this, the guest was generously fed, given hot brandy and entertained. Before leaving, the anointed chicken was given a pumpkin, which he smashed on the floor. It was believed that the more seeds scattered around the house, the more chickens would appear on the farm. The anointed one, who performed his role well, was invited to the holiday the following year. The Serbs living near the Skopska Crna Gora massif welcomed shepherds into the house, who entered it on all fours. The man imitating a mother hen imitated clucking, and the children, like chickens, answered him: “Beer, beer, beer.” In Gagauz villages they bake ritual bread for Christmas - pita. A coin is hidden in the cake. It is believed that whoever gets it will be happy in the coming year. In some regions of Serbia, unleavened Lepinja flatbread is given to children after pulling their ears to make them grow as tall as possible. With the advent of Christianity, January 2 began to celebrate the Day of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer - the ancient Roman apostle, disciple of Inna the Theologian. His dying messages from prison are full of brotherly love for people and, in their spiritual content, resemble the appeals to believers of the Apostle Paul. The Bishop of Antioch suffered martyrdom, being torn to pieces by lions in the circus arena on December 20, 107. Therefore, on January 2, both the pagan Chicken Christmas and the Day of Ignatius the God-Bearer are celebrated. To attract good luck, Christian believers traditionally threw a log or tree branch onto the fireplace. People walked around the house with icons to drive out evil spirits. According to popular beliefs, rain or snow on Ignatius the God-Bearer foreshadowed a rich harvest. In churches in honor of the holy martyr, prayer services were held and religious processions were held. On January 2, they began to prepare for Christmas, which, unlike the comic chicken, is one of the main Orthodox holidays.

January 2 (December 20, old style) is Ignatiev Day according to the folk calendar. This event comes from a church holiday - the day of honoring the memory of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer, who served as Archbishop of Antioch in the 2nd century. It is known that Ignatius witnessed the life of Jesus Christ. When the future archbishop was a child, the Son of God taught him to be righteous in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He was called a God-bearer for his devotion to the Lord and constant prayers. Ignatius dedicated his life to people, helping people to believe in the Christian faith and denouncing idolatry. When the saint was reported to the ruler, he ordered Ignatius to be forced to change his faith to paganism and make a sacrifice to fictitious gods. For his refusal, the archbishop was sent to be eaten by lions. Ignatius, going to execution, constantly repeated the name of the Savior. The animals did not touch only the heart. After opening, the pagans saw the name of Jesus Christ written on the vessels. On Ignatius Day, they prayed to the saint, asking for prosperity in housing. The peasants walked around the village in a circle with icons, believing that such a ritual would save it from unfortunate events or a bad harvest. Each one bowed to his stepfather's house. Ignatiev's day brought us closer to the upcoming Christmas. Housewives cleaned the house, young people prepared costumes for carols, and the owners tended to the garden. It was necessary to sweep away excess snow from apple trees, because this protected them from breaking branches and gave a good harvest in the summer. Hence this day was sometimes called apple day. People considered Ignatiev's day an indicator of August - the weather was expected to be similar: clear skies foreshadowed heat in August, snowfalls - cloudiness. Having heard the singing of tits on January 2, people expected a cold the coming night. Frost on the bark of trees foreshadowed sunny days in the future. The clear starry sky promised a rich summer harvest.

St. Berthold's Day in Switzerland (Bern City Day)(Berchtoldstag)

Orthodox holidays January 2:

Memorial Day of St. John of Kronstadt

Feast of the Novodvorskaya Icon of the Mother of God

Memorial Day of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “Savior of the Drowning”