Collecting household waste and clearing residential yards and surrounding areas of garbage is not only carried out by janitors and other public service workers. Volunteers who are concerned about the depressing state of wildlife due to environmental pollution spend their free time educating themselves on this matter. In honor of people involved in cleaning streets and sorting recyclable materials for subsequent recycling, World Garbage Day was established, which is celebrated on June 17th. The idea of ​​celebrating Global Garbage Man Day belongs to US businessman John Arwood, the head of a company involved in demolition of houses and waste collection. For the first time, events in honor of garbage collectors were held in 2011. After a while, D. Arwood increased the celebration time from one day to seven, initiating the establishment of the Week of Workers who sort household waste and recycle it. Around the world, 4.5 billion people live in unsanitary conditions. Dirt and garbage located in close proximity to housing leads to the emergence of infectious diseases, which are one of the main causes of death in children from birth to five years of age. Every minute, one child dies on the planet due to environmental pollution. Therefore, the role of professionals involved in establishing order and cleanliness, collecting and processing recyclable materials is difficult to overestimate. The selfless efforts of women and men, utility workers, and employees of solid waste recycling plants are directly related to caring for our health. The work of garbage collectors and waste disposal specialists involves inhaling unpleasant odors and chemicals, such as methane and carbon dioxide, which are released in tons from waste lying in landfills. Mountains of garbage are infested with hordes of rodents - carriers of many diseases. Janitors risk their health not only due to daily contact with pathogenic bacteria, but also the likelihood of cutting themselves with broken glass and other sharp objects. The collection and disposal of foul-smelling landfill gas through pipes is carried out by specialists whose professional activities are hazardous to health. This is why the public attaches so much importance to the celebration of World Garbage Day. Janitors, recycling sorters and waste disposal workers work in unsanitary conditions. Scavengers make our world cleaner every day, despite the summer heat and winter cold. A waste container that is not emptied not only creates inconvenience for residents of apartment buildings, but also significantly increases the risk of spreading infections. Global Garbage Man Day was created to give people around the world the opportunity to express their appreciation and gratitude to garbage collectors.

Alligators play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance in nature. Like crocodiles, they eat sick fish, being a kind of orderlies of reservoirs. Reptiles clear them of silt before creating nests to lay eggs. In addition, some species of crocodiles, such as the giant Crocodylus porosus, travel hundreds of clinometers of rivers and seas, carrying nutrients necessary for the development of plants and other organisms. Representatives of this reptile species have been preserving the ecosystem of water bodies located in tropical and subtropical latitudes on Earth for more than 83 million years. Alligators appeared on the planet during the Mesozoic era. Several thousand years ago, these strong, dexterous and cunning predators were the object of veneration by people. The amphibious reptile is present in the myths of different peoples of the world. Thus, the ancient Egyptians believed that the crocodile was the incarnation of the god of the Nile - Sebek. The cult of veneration of the predator still exists today in many regions of Africa. A holiday was established in honor of the reptiles of this group of reptiles. June 17 is World Crocodile Day. World Crocodile Day has been celebrated since 2017. It was initiated by the non-profit Coalition for Crocodile and Zoo Research in Belize, which is fighting to preserve the alligator population in Central America and the Caribbean. World Crocodile Day is intended to inform society about the threat of their extinction due to the extermination of predatory reptiles by humans and natural enemies. According to statistics, reptiles of the order Crocodilia have a very high mortality rate in the first year of life. 99% of crocodiles in infancy are eaten by lizards, hyenas and other predators. Another enemy of alligators is humans. People hunt crocodiles for trophies - valuable skin, meat and eggs. If urgent measures are not taken to protect alligators, 23 species of which are listed in the Red Book, these ancient animals will disappear from the face of the earth. • Alligators are found only in the USA and China. Their main difference from other crocodilian reptiles is their blunt and wider U-shaped snout, dorsal location of the eyes and light weight. These distant relatives also have different numbers of teeth. There are from 64 to 68 of them in the crocodile's mouth. They are visible even with the mouth closed. The number of sharp teeth in an alligator varies between 74-80 pieces. • Crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world. The weight of reptiles living in salt water can reach up to 1200 kg, height - up to 7 m. Crocodiles feed on fish and caviar, rats, frogs, birds and crustaceans. But these predators also swallow stones. They stay in the reptile's stomach for years, helping it grind food. • The crocodile has no equal in bite force among other animals. Its jaw exerts a pressure of 260 kg per cm2. This is 10 times more than the great white shark, 6 times more than the African lion and brown bear. At the same time, the muscles of the crocodile's oral cavity are very weak. A person can close its mouth with their hands without much effort. • People owe the expression “crocodile tears” to the peculiarities of eating food by amphibian reptiles. When alligators chew their prey, air is forced through their sinuses into the tear ducts. The salty liquid oozing from the eyes gives the impression that the predator is mourning its prey. Scientists say that if all alligators on the planet become extinct, an environmental catastrophe will occur on Earth. Reptiles dig burrows along river banks, which become shelters for other animals, and control fish populations in water bodies and agricultural pests. World Crocodile Day encourages people to pay attention to the threat of extinction of these unique amphibians of the order Crocodilia.

Among the many holidays, there is such an unusual, but no less significant, as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. It is celebrated on June 17th. This date was not chosen by chance, but coincided with the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification on this day in 1994. The holiday itself was established by the UN General Assembly on January 30, 1995. Few of those who have not encountered such a phenomenon as drought have thought about the consequences of this phenomenon for all humanity. Therefore, the main goal of the holiday is to familiarize and attract the attention of the population to a problem that threatens the health of more than a billion people. Every year, drought and desertification cause losses of agricultural products worth several billion US dollars, and lead to the loss of biological fertility of lands that feed a large part of the world's population. The cause of drought is often human consumerism towards nature and its resources, leading to climate change on a planetary scale, to which not natural forces and phenomena are involved, but we, the people. Unfortunately, our country is also faced with the problem of drought. The most acute situation in this regard has developed in the Republic of Kalmykia. June 17 is a holiday for all environmental defenders - scientists and researchers of this problem, people specializing in environmental safety, as well as for those involved in environmental activities. Participants in the celebration are government and public structures, representatives of various charitable organizations, employees of foundations and movements. This day is celebrated traditionally in UN member countries: they organize conferences and round tables, and hold exhibitions dedicated to the problems of drought and desertification. Every year, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought chooses a new theme and, accordingly, a slogan accompanying this theme. For example, such a “screaming” one as “Don’t let our future dry up”, and others like it, speaking for themselves. Traditionally, practical and symbolic events are held on this day, such as planting new trees, cultivating soil, holding various environmental events and demonstrations, and showing films about nature.

The mastery of martial arts that athletes demonstrate during competitions allows them to defend themselves and repel an opponent in conflicts that arise outside the ring and on the tatami. Each type of martial arts is not only a set of techniques, but also a philosophy of life. Japan is considered the spiritual homeland of the most widespread martial arts in the world. Judo, sumo, aikido, jiu-jitsu, kendo and karate instill in athletes respect for the enemy, determination and self-confidence, and train not only the body, but also the strength of the spirit. One of the oldest self-defense techniques originated on the island of Okinawa in the 15th century. Karate, the “way of the empty hand,” is considered the oldest fighting system, which consists of alternating techniques of defense and attack, excluding the use of weapons. Punches and kicks are aimed at vital centers on the opponent's body. One of the principles of martial arts is hara - the combination of muscle strength with internal energy. Athletes sacredly observe the karateka’s code of honor: “Never attack first.” Martial art, whose fans live on all continents, teaches endurance and calmness, the ability to control one’s anger and hatred. World Karate Day is celebrated on June 17th. In honor of the celebration, master classes are organized and national and international competitions of athletes are held. Karate is so popular in the world that several holidays are dedicated to it. One of them, K-day, is celebrated on October 7th. World Karate Day appeared on the calendar in 2012 on the initiative of the World Karate Federation. The celebration, celebrated on June 17, is timed to coincide with the inclusion of martial art in the competition program of the 2020 Olympic Games. In the homeland of martial arts, World Karate Day is celebrated on October 25. This date was set for him by the Okinawa World Karate Assembly. There are several versions of the origin of the ancient martial art. According to one of them, karate appeared in Okinawa during the reign of the Ryukyu dynasty. Its representatives, King Sho Hashi, and later Xie Shin, introduced a ban on the carrying of weapons by ordinary people to prevent riots. Peasants, artisans and fishermen, in the fight against samurai, were forced to resort to self-defense techniques, which became karate. Another legend says that martial arts owes its origin to Buddha Gautama himself. After achieving enlightenment, he raised disciples until his death, one of whom, Bodhidharma, moved his residence in 520 from India to China. In Shaolin, he taught self-defense techniques to the monks, making them resilient, flexible and strong. The training was based on the principle of imitating animal behavior and was called “18 movements of the arhat’s hands.” From Shaolin, martial art came to Japan, where it acquired national characteristics. According to the third version, the samurai, after the defeat of their troops in battles with the Minamoto clan, moved to the 12th century. to one of the islands of the Ryukyu archipelago. There, in Okinawa, they taught the locals the techniques of martial arts, which today is known as karate. Despite the ancient history, the peak of development of martial art occurred in the first third of the twentieth century. In the 1920s, Goju-ryu was added to the Shotokan style founded by Gichino Funakoshi. In the 1930s, Shityu-ryu appeared, in 1939 - Wado-ryu. Karate came to Europe in the mid-50s thanks to the initiative of Japanese masters. In the USSR, the first training sessions under the guidance of amateur wrestler Alfat Makashov took place in 1963. Karate training sections began to open in the country. However, 20 years later, a decree was issued banning it as an aggressive martial arts, contrary to the peace-loving spirit of the sport of the Land of the Soviets. In the 90s, there was a revival of karate in Russia. Today, both men and women attend classes to teach this self-defense technique. Regardless of the chosen style, martial art instills in athletes respect for elders, self-confidence, and a sense of responsibility for actions and decisions. The popularization of martial arts is facilitated by the holding of World Karate Day.

A type of decorative and applied art in which pieces of stone, smalt, glass, ceramic tiles and other materials are used to create images is called mosaic. This painting technique appeared around 4000 BC. during the Sumerian civilization. In Mesopotamia, mosaics were used to decorate the columns of palaces, interior items and the tombs of kings. To create the panels, ivory, shells and stone fragments were used. The first pebble mosaics with floral patterns, figures of birds and animals date back to the 5th century. BC. During Antiquity, craftsmen began to lay out panels of colored glass. Mosaic as a type of monumental and decorative painting received its further development in Byzantium during the period of the spread of Christianity, and in Europe - in the modern era. At the beginning of the twentieth century. Antoni Gaudí invented the trencadís technique. This “broken” mosaic was made up of pieces of ceramic tiles, tiles and dishes. Gaudi first used it in the design of Park Güell in Barcelona. In Ancient Rome, the floors, ceilings and walls of houses were decorated with canvases, lithostrotes, fragments of marble and pebbles. The pieces of stones and other materials that were used to create mosaic panels were called tesserae. This word formed the basis of tessellation - the name of decorative and applied arts in English. The beauty of mosaics, their shapes and patterns inspired the writer Emily Grosvenor to establish the holiday in 2016. On her initiative, June 17 is celebrated as World Tessellation Day. The "Battle of Poltava" is considered the first large-scale mosaic work in the history of Russian art. Created in 1764 by M.V. Lomonosov panels decorate the building of the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. 12 years earlier, the scientist made an icon of the Mother of God from smalt, opaque colored glass. In total, Lomonosov and his students made about 40 mosaic paintings. The technique, which made it possible to create beautiful and expensive images, has long been used in the decoration of Christian churches. The panels of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and St. Isaac's Cathedral are considered masterpieces of world culture. They owe their appearance to professionals from the Academy of Arts and its mosaic workshop, opened in 1851. After October 1917, panels depicting the leader of the proletariat and other leaders of the USSR began to decorate the facades and interiors of public buildings. Monumental paintings located on the walls of government buildings glorified the feat of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, the struggle for the harvest and the Stakhanov movement. Today, repeating mosaic patterns are used in residential decor, such as kitchen backsplashes, vanity countertops and bathroom walls. Panels decorate swimming pools, restaurant interiors, bar counters in cafes and hotel receptions, and are a mandatory element of hamam decoration. The mosaic on the facade of the building gives it a unique look, distinguishing it from similar buildings. Repeating patterns are used in paving sidewalks and creating floor coverings, to decorate the Moscow metro, historical monuments and fountains. Mosaic Day calls for attention to the ancient decorative and applied art, which brings beauty into human life, changing the world and space around.

Holidays in Iceland - Day of the Proclamation of the Republic of Iceland (Independence Day, Icelandic National Day)

Animal training, aerial gymnastics, clowning, acrobatics and athletics are some of the most popular genres of circus art. No less spectacular and exciting is juggling. It can be solo and group, stunt and technical. Jugglers throw various objects into the air both while standing in the circus arena and on a horse galloping in the arena. The artists' equipment includes plates, clubs, balls, acrylic balls, rings, sabers, cylinders and diablos - two cones with interconnected tops. They are thrown and caught with hands and feet, as the Antipodes do, as well as with other parts of the body. Tricks with objects thrown into the air in a certain rhythm and sequence entertained people back in the days of Ancient Egypt. Manipulation of sabers or swords in front of the enemy's formation has long been used to demoralize his warriors. Juggling is not only a genre that circus performers master perfectly. For many people, this skill is a hobby that allows them to have fun and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The bartender, who owns a frailing, juggles dishes and bottles of alcoholic beverages, and the fakir juggles with torches. Skillful manipulation of objects often becomes an element of a clown act or performance by athletes involved in rhythmic gymnastics. In honor of juggling, a holiday has been established - World Juggling Day. The celebration is celebrated annually on the Saturday closest to June 17th. Circus art arose much later than juggling, but the genre flourished in the 18th century. and is associated with the appearance of the first booths. Over its centuries-old history, the skill of manipulating objects has been enriched with various tricks. Today, artists juggle while standing on a tightrope or on the back of a galloping horse, eat apples while performing a routine, and demonstrate jogging - a race over a certain distance with equipment. The basic trick is a cascade with an odd number of objects. More difficult is throwing objects from behind the back, with crossed arms, carrying the ball through a pattern, etc. Rebound juggling allows you to manipulate balls that fly off after hitting a wall or floor. During the performance, professionals can use all parts of the body. In this case, manipulation resembles a dance in which the juggler is constantly in motion. According to experts, it will take about 2 hours to teach an ordinary person to throw in a certain rhythm and catch objects. Especially if he has well-developed coordination of movements. World Juggling Day is an excellent opportunity to learn juggling, which, in addition to pleasant emotions, improves the interaction between the hemispheres of the brain. The ability to throw objects not only trains your reaction, develops endurance and manual dexterity, but also calms the nervous system. Anyone who decides to celebrate World Juggling Day can check how true these statements are.

The famous 1990 Hollywood film Point Break is about the passion for one of the most extreme water sports. The life of surfers living in harmony with nature is permeated with a thirst for novelty and a spirit of freedom. Bodhi, played by Patrick Swayze in the film, is awaiting a “fifty-year storm” on the Australian coast. A young man dreams of riding a wave - the dream of his whole life. On a surfboard, athletes not only travel on boards along the coastline of the sea or ocean, but also perform various maneuvers, demonstrate mastery of carving techniques and acrobatic tricks: reverse, turn, cutback. Catching waves is not just a hobby, but a way of life. In honor of the increase in tens of thousands of people from different parts of the world who challenge the elements of the sea and defeat it in an unequal battle, a holiday was established. International Surfing Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of June. For the first time, International Surfing Day was celebrated by professionals and amateurs in 2005. The celebration, which is widely celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, Brazil and Peru, Hawaii and Indonesia, Canada and Costa Rica, appeared on the calendar on the initiative of the editors of Surfing Magazine. The United States Surfing Foundation also joined in establishing the holiday in honor of those who love to ride the wave. This non-profit organization's mission includes preserving the cleanliness of the world's oceans, beaches and water sports. In honor of the holiday, various events are held dedicated to the protection of the environment, the ecosystems of seas and rivers: film screenings, lectures and seminars, actions to clean up coastal areas from garbage, restore sand dunes and planting naupaka, the “surf flower”. Contests and competitions are dedicated to International Surfing Day. They are held among both experienced and beginner athletes, who receive wetsuits and wave boards as a gift. The holiday is an excellent occasion to remember the achievements and records set by surfers. Europeans became acquainted with the favorite sport of the Polynesian aborigines in 1767 during the round-the-world expedition of the frigate "Dolphin" under the command of the British S. Wallis. Over time, the hobby of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands went beyond Polynesia and became popular all over the world. Today, the oldest athlete in the world is the Japanese Seiichi Sano, who joined the board at the age of 80. At the time of receiving the award in this category, the surfer was 88 years old. In 2020, on the coast of Portugal, German Sebastian Steudtner conquered the largest wave, the height of which was 26.21 m. The largest swim of athletes took place in June 2017 in New South Wales. 511 surfers took part in it. The swim, despite the fog, lasted 3.5 hours. The personification of extreme water hobby is American Kelly Slater. He is the winner of 52 tournaments, the holder of the maximum World Surf League competition score and an 11-time world surfing champion. K. Slater starred in many films and recorded a music album dedicated to his favorite sport. International Surfing Day calls on all lovers of nature and an active lifestyle to follow the example of this surfer and measure their strength with the water element.

Holidays of Zoroastrianism - Festival of healers “Haurvat”

Mitrofan Navoznik is popularly celebrated on June 17 (June 4 according to the old calendar style). The date was named Mitrofan in honor of the Christian saint - Mitrofan of Constantinople, revered by the church on this day. The saint was born at the beginning of the 3rd century in Rome. His father was a pagan, but he believed in the Lord. During that period, persecution of Christians began, so the whole family had to move to Constantinople. Father Mitrofan was appointed bishop; after his death, brother Probus took the post, then Mitrofan. At the request of Emperor Constantine I, Mitrofan was elevated to Patriarch of Constantinople. The saint died at a ripe old age in 326. Mitrofan was popularly nicknamed the Dung Man for the custom on this day of enriching the soil with manure when it was resting from sowing and planting. Peasants did not disdain working with livestock waste, because the future crop harvest depended on it. The best fertilizer was considered to be a mixture of manure, grass and vegetable remains that had rotted over the year. By sprinkling it on the soil, residents received more intensive growth of garden and field crops. It was forbidden for Mitrofan Navoznik to go to bed early or rest at lunchtime. The peasants worked from sunrise to its last setting rays, because they believed that their harvest depended on their work on a given day. In addition to fertilizing the soil with manure, residents dedicated the date to the second sowing of buckwheat, and it should be sowed at the sight of reddening strawberries. We also observed the active growth of flax; by this day it was stretched to its maximum. Particular attention was paid to the wind on Mitrofan's Day. The healers went out onto the hill and spoke to him, relying on the prevailing weather. If the days were hot and the fields needed watering, then the wind was asked to drive the rain clouds. During prolonged heavy rains, when the soil needed drying, the healers asked for a dry wind to appear. If Mitrofan Navoznik felt stuffy at sunrise, residents prepared for worsening weather. An intensified floral aroma was felt for the approaching thunderstorm. The rain that happened foreshadowed the next days with precipitation. Flowering of the night violet was observed on clear days.

Orthodox holidays June 17:

The Orthodox Church celebrates June 17, the Day of Remembrance of St. Mitrophan of Constantinople. He lived in III-IV AD, was born and lived all his life in the city of Constantinople. The future Saint Mitrophan was born and raised in those days when Constantinople was still called Byzantium. His future was predetermined from the very beginning, since his father, Saint Dometius, served as a bishop in the city, so in 316 Mitrofan himself accepted the rank of bishop. He was such a pious and meek man that the great Emperor Constantine the Great himself was amazed by his knowledge and faith in the true God. The emperor called Saint Mitrophan with him to Rome and invited him to take the place of patriarch in the capital. He served as patriarch for about a year, after which he ruled the church for about 11 more years. Saint Mitrophan lived a long life, dying at the age of 117 years. His holy relics were placed in the temple that was built in his honor. Orthodox Christians have many folk signs associated with St. Mitrofan's Day. The people simply called this day Dung, because the peasants believed that on this day the land fertilized with manure would give a bountiful harvest in the future. Also on Mitrofan's holiday, it was customary to ask the natural elements to bring rain. On the eve of the holiday, peasants noticed which way the wind was blowing: if from the south - to a good harvest, from the northwest - in the second half of summer - to rain, from the east - to drought. If the wind was blowing from the wrong direction, they asked Mitrofan for the “right” wind, with which the rains would come at the right time. If there was precipitation on the day of St. Mitrofan, then such weather was established for several more days. In addition, after June 17, they began to sow buckwheat, since this crop is very sensitive to temperature. Before this, they checked whether the strawberries were starting to turn red: if the berries began to ripen, this meant that real summer warmth had set in and there would be no more cold nights. There was also a separate series of signs that could not be done on Mitrofan’s Day: • refuse if they asked for help; • quarrel and swear with loved ones; • indulge in laziness. In the old days they said: “At least walk on the wall to see Mitrofan, but wait until you sleep.” People believed that on this day they should work on the land as long as possible so that the harvest in the fall would be decent. Following ancient customs, this day should be spent at the dacha and be sure to fertilize the ground with fresh manure. If it rains on June 17, then this weather will continue for the next few days.

Memorial Day of St. Methodius, Abbot of Peshnoshsky