Over the entire period of its activity, the UN organization has established a large number of holidays. And most of them are positive. One of these events is the International Day of Happiness, celebrated every year on March 20 by residents of the entire planet. This date appeared on the list of international celebrations in 2012. Thus, UN members recognized the importance of the well-being of citizens around the world, and also the significant role of this phenomenon in public policy. Also, the main goal of introducing the solemn event was the desire to convey to society the idea that achieving happiness is the main goal of all people of the world without exception. One of the first initiators of adding this holiday to the register of existing dates was a small mountainous country - Bhutan. According to generally accepted opinion, it is the inhabitants of this kingdom that are considered the happiest inhabitants of the planet. To determine the degree of well-being of the population, there is a special indicator developed in 2006 - the International Happiness Index. It allows you to assess how prosperous the inhabitants of a certain state are. Thanks to numerous studies, it has been possible to determine that, based on the results of recent years, Canadians, Brazilians, Swedes, Austrians, Danes, Uruguayans, as well as residents of Panamania are often happy. This may probably surprise some, but Russians also found themselves in the top ten countries where the most prosperous citizens live. However, it should be understood that these are all just statistical data, which sometimes do not entirely correspond to reality. In addition, the research carried out helped to identify the most unhappy people on the globe. They turned out to be Afghans, Syrians, Croats, Georgians, Malagasy and Haitians. According to world psychologists, every person can become a little happier. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple but effective rules. First of all, it is an active lifestyle, in particular playing sports. The main thing is to practice this regularly and with desire, and the first results will appear very soon. Include morning exercises lasting 10-15 minutes, evening jogging or walking into your regimen. Also, running and swimming will help lift your mood, yoga will put your thoughts in order and restore a sense of peace of mind. Ensure yourself a good night's sleep. According to scientists, this factor plays an important role in the body’s fight against anxious thoughts and negative emotions. In addition, proper rest increases productivity and improves motivation. Communicate more with pleasant personalities: good friends, any relatives, polite colleagues and simply like-minded people. Try to plan events that can bring you pleasure: travel, dates, a trip to the country for picnics, going to the theater for the premiere of an interesting play, purchasing a beautiful thing. Whenever possible, help people and animals. After all, good deeds done without selfishness can create a real miracle.

Every year on March 20 it is customary to celebrate a holiday called Earth Day. This holiday was founded in 1971 at the initiative of the UN and has a peacekeeping and humanitarian direction. The American John Morton was the first to think about protecting his planet. In 1840, he organized a tree-planting company, and in 1872 he proposed setting aside a separate day for landscaping the area. The purpose of this holiday is to attract public attention to our home - planet Earth, to make people think about caring for nature and caring for each other. The date of the holiday was chosen for a reason. It is on March 20 that the vernal equinox falls, nature awakens and a new level of its development begins. Nowadays, many environmental and peacekeeping events and actions are held around the world on Earth Day. This holiday is an occasion to once again think about what surrounds us. Human anthropogenic impact has caused significant damage to our planet, which can lead to its destruction. The presence of wars in the world causes harm to nature that it cannot overcome on its own. As a result of war and anthropogenic human influence, the soil, air and water are polluted with harmful and radioactive substances. This affects people's health and well-being. Most often on this day, conferences on nature, environmental exhibitions, cleanup days are held, and streets are planted with trees. Cities stop traffic on busy streets, thereby reducing emissions of pollutants into the air. Also, it is on this holiday that the Peace Bell is rung for a minute, which symbolizes peaceful life, friendship of all peoples, and calls for preserving the culture and achievements of mankind. The symbolic holiday Earth Day is a symbol of unity, the awareness that only through united efforts is it still possible to fight global environmental and existing social problems on our planet.

From time immemorial, humanity has lived in a strong connection with the laws of nature and the events occurring in it. One of these events is repeated annually on the 20th of March and is called the Vernal Equinox. Scientists observe a phenomenon in the vault of heaven on this day when the sun, moving along the ecliptic, crosses the celestial equator. And the sun's rays fall vertically on the earth's equator. That is, the line dividing the illuminated and dark sides of the sun (terminator) runs perpendicular to the earth's equator. Also on this day the astronomical year, the solar year and the Avestan calendar begin. In all countries at this time, day and night are almost the same length. Thus, there is a balance between light and darkness. Astrologers believe that this is the best time to throw away what you don’t need and buy something new. You should stay away from negative thoughts that may materialize. Many cultures celebrate the equinox in their own way, but what unites them is that this day signifies the rebirth of nature and symbolizes renewal. It is noteworthy that many nations celebrate New Year on this day. Among the Slavs, the Vernal Equinox means the arrival of spring, and winter, in turn, gives way to it. They honored the date of the spring equinox, when the days become longer and the night time shortens. Also on this day, many people perform rituals to attract love, because spring is the best time for love affairs. And our compatriots celebrate the spring equinox in company around the fire, organize outdoor games and simply rejoice at the arrival of spring. The equinox occurs not only in spring, but also in autumn. The difference between the spring and autumn equinoxes is that in March the sun moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern, and in September, on the contrary, returns to the southern.

Celtic festival of spring and rebirth "Ostara"

Public utility workers involved in sewage removal have their own holiday. The day of sanitation workers, specialists servicing houses that do not have a central sewer system, is celebrated on March 20. The holiday does not have an official status, which in no way detracts from the importance of the professional activities of the goldsmiths. This was the name given to sewer workers whose work was adequately paid and highly valued at the beginning of the 20th century. V. Gilyarovsky in his novel “Moscow and Muscovites” describes the goldsmith as a man who rides a horse train with a barrel around the yards and collects sewage. Vacuum workers were cleaning cesspools, transporting their contents outside the city. Goldsmiths were respected and even feared - for their disrespectful attitude they could turn waste out of the barrel directly onto the ground near the house of a presumptuous client. Pit cleaners earned good money (one ruble a day), as they worked for themselves, doing private driving, and for city sanitation services. According to one version, people jokingly nicknamed the sewer men gold diggers, creating reasons for laughter and irony. On the other hand, drawing parallels with “night gold,” as excrement was delicately called at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. The results of human activity were used as fertilizer, which helped to harvest a good harvest, and were greatly valued. In the explanatory dictionary V.I. Dahl indicated that “gold” was used not only to denote a precious metal. This word was also used to describe droppings, fertilizer, and “human manure.” This explains the etymology of the “golden man”. Today, like hundreds of years ago, the work of a sewer operator is considered important and difficult, and therefore is highly valued by clients - primarily summer residents and residents of private sector houses. And if goldsmiths used to come on sanitary convoys, today they work on modern trucks with tanks mounted on the chassis. The first sewer trucks appeared in the USA at the very beginning of the 20th century, and in the USSR in the mid-30s. To designate models in the Soviet Union, the abbreviation ANI, ANM or ASM was used, later - KO (municipal equipment). The process of collecting feces and other liquid waste has been automated. Today, sewage is not poured into the tank with a ladle, but is drawn from cesspools and sewer wells using a vacuum pump. To transport tanks, foreign chassis or domestic ZIL, KAMAZ, GAZ and MAZ are used. Vacuum trucks travel through large and small cities, towns and villages. Thanks to their work, the land is cleared of waste, the comfort of life of the owners of private houses is maintained, and sanitary standards and rules are observed. Paying tribute to their hard work, March 20 is celebrated as Vacuum Man's Day.

Astrology is the science of the influence of stars on humans. In ancient times, it was associated with various cults and astral myths. Every adult is a little child at heart and sincerely believes that someone is able to predict the future, the outcome of any significant actions or events. Every year the number of people consulting astrologers only increases. And this despite the fact that only a small part of the research, for example, regarding the movement of all planets, is undoubtedly recognized as truly scientific. However, astrologers and enthusiasts firmly believe in the truth of this science and celebrate their holiday, International Astrology Day, every March on the 20th or 21st. It is at this time that the next astrological year begins for most peoples. In ancient times, residents were sure that on this very day darkness gives way to light and renewal begins in nature, the long-awaited spring comes. March 20 is the first astrological day of every year. During this period, the Sun begins to move into the constellation Aries and spring comes. At the same time, the spring equinox overtakes only the northerners, while the inhabitants of the southern hemisphere celebrate the autumn equinox. It is for this reason that while Russians are fleeing extreme cold, Australians are suffering from terrible heat and, as a result, forest fires. Astrology is truly a unique science. On the one hand, a large number of people recognize it as an unnecessary false discipline. However, no fewer educated citizens, including scientists, pay great attention to astrological forecasts and are guided by them in their own actions. The ancient Romans first began dividing people into zodiac constellations. They came up with a horoscope and, probably, already at that time they celebrated Astrology Day on a grand scale. Despite the fact that astrology is a fairly ancient discipline, it is highly accurate and unchangeable. See for yourself - eras, technologies used, entire civilizations change, but the starry sky, which is the main source of information for scientists, remains in one place. Thus, any developments, theoretical knowledge and practical experience of our ancestors develop over thousands of years. It is a pity that today astrology from a serious science is increasingly turning into a method of profit for various scammers. Nowadays, the holiday is celebrated by residents of many countries, in particular Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, etc. The date of the event is symbolic. It is associated with the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20, 21 or 19. To avoid confusion, it was decided to fix a single date. The event is informal. Today it has received great support among society. On the day of celebration, celebrations are held among professional scientists and their young followers. Various conferences, thematic lectures, seminars, as well as trainings and presentations of astrological books are held. Promotions and all kinds of flash mobs are organized. Scientists predict events in the future of people. There are programs on television dedicated to this science. At the same time, astrology has only become more popular over the years. Well-known publications regularly publish horoscopes, even central TV channels broadcast conversations with experts in this field, and scientists’ reception rooms are always filled with visitors eager to find out their destiny from the starry sky. Despite its high popularity, astrology has its opponents. In particular, it is used by the National American Science Foundation as an example of pseudoscience. Not a single study has been able to prove the correctness of the claims of the ancient discipline. The test results do not differ significantly from any random predictions.

In spring, not only flowers, birds and buds wake up. A bear emerges from hibernation, hungry, emaciated and therefore angry. In the old days, the bear was called almost the same as now, highlighting the characteristic features of the animal. Clubfoot, shaggy, toptygin. There was another name, "Com". And it was the comas, that is, the bears, who were given the first pancakes for the Old Slavic Komoeditsa, an analogue of the current Maslenitsa. Our ancestors cajoled the hungry trampler with symbols of the growing strength of the sun. This is where the saying “give the first pancake to the comas” comes from. Afterwards the verb “give” fell out, leaving the current form. And it doesn’t mean lumps at all, that is, unsuccessful baking. And the message is to donate pancakes to the bears. If every housewife gives the first pancake to the comas, then the emaciated and hungry bears will not be so fierce when they leave their dens. In the morning, before breakfast, people went out into the forest and laid out treats on the stumps with songs and jokes. Komoy ate, people celebrated Komoeditsa. This was done on March 20, the day dedicated to the spring equinox. It was from this date that it was generally accepted that Morena, the winter deity, began to give rights to spring, Yarila. The festivities were accompanied by abundant food to gain strength before going out on grueling field work. A festive mood was also needed, giving a surge of strength and energy. The invigorating festivities were traditionally accompanied by jumping over a fire, laying siege to a snowy town, sliding down slides, driving round dances and climbing poles to get gifts. The central action was considered to be the burning of an effigy of Morena, as a ritual of the retreat of winter and the entry of spring into its legal rights. Old amulets, “nauzs” that had served their purpose during the long winter, were attached to the doll. Old rags, straw, and other flammable debris were thrown around. The scarecrow took on an outlandish, colorful and slightly frightening appearance. It was all the more fun to solemnly set it on fire. Which symbolized farewell to the obsolete, renewal and rebirth. Celebrations on Komoeditsa (Komoeditsa) lasted two weeks. They began seven days before the equinox and lasted another week after. In the last days of the holiday, a bathhouse was certainly visited in order to wash away all the misfortunes of the past year and begin the new year with a pure soul, body and thoughts. In addition to the fun of waiting for spring and welcoming warmth, the holiday was functional in nature. The time of hard agricultural work had begun, lasting throughout the short northern summer without days off. After Komoeditsa, people did not have time for rest and long celebrations; it was impossible to waste a short season, during which it was necessary to stock up as many supplies as possible for the long and cold winter. Therefore, joy and fun were the basis for the beginning of effective work. The more active the festivities, the more bright memories and cheerfulness you will have during grueling and routine activities.

International Meat Free Day is celebrated in some countries every year on March 20th. The date was first celebrated in 1985. On this day, many shopping centers and catering establishments do not sell meat products, and volunteers actively promote a vegetarian diet, and at the same time the idea of ​​protecting our little brothers and the environment. In some countries, the event has already received government support: in particular, in Sri Lanka, officials are calling on the owners of grocery stores and outlets to stop selling meat. This holiday has been celebrated in the Russian Federation since 2012. For example, in St. Petersburg, activists distributed fruit and booklets to all passers-by about the benefits of vegetarian nutrition for people and the environment. According to statistics, every year over 60 billion animals die at the hands of humans (not including marine life). At the same time, about a billion citizens of the world are hungry and lack drinking distilled water. A transition to vegetarianism could solve this problem. After all, to produce 1 kg of meat currently requires about 10 kg of grain and 15 liters of clean water. Considering the international scale of meat production and the volume of grain used for these purposes, it is enough to feed all the inhabitants of the planet experiencing hunger. In addition, livestock production produces about 18% of the gases that cause the greenhouse effect. This is many times more than the types of vehicles combined. Also, deforestation for the organization of new pastures and depletion of fertile soil for agricultural crops have a negative impact on the Earth's biosphere. March 20th can be the initial step towards reducing the consumption of meat products for each person. It’s not just that recent discoveries by scientists indicate that frequent consumption of animal protein leads to the development of such serious pathologies as coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, obesity, high blood sugar and even oncology. And considering that this date falls during Lent, all the more reason you should include more vegetable and fruit dishes in your daily diet. But you need to be especially careful when planning your diet if you plan to switch to vegetarianism. For a full life and functioning of the body, a balanced complex of components is required, among which the main role is played by proteins, which are not found in all plant foods. To provide your body with a sufficient amount of nutrients, carefully monitor your own nutrition. Include a variety of whole grains and legumes in your diet. With a not too strict vegetarian diet, eat eggs, dairy and fermented milk products.

International holidays - World Sparrow Day

Since 2008, March 20 has been recognized as World Frog Day. This holiday was created to draw attention to the problems of amphibians and is dedicated to the protection of amphibians, some species of which are on the verge of extinction. Most people on the planet know little about frogs. Among the most common facts about them, it is worth noting the following: • frogs are eaten in some countries; • these amphibians are experimental subjects in biological experiments; • today it is fashionable to keep frogs in the house as pets. But the roles of amphibians do not end there. Frogs are an important element of the ecosystem, the disappearance of which is dangerous due to the loss of balance in natural conditions and disruption of the normal flow of natural biorhythms. Therefore, people should learn more about amphibians, which is helped by educational work carried out on Frog Day. Frogs are a large group of animals from the order of tailless amphibians. They are among the four-legged vertebrate creatures, also called amphibians. Among the little-known, but very interesting facts about frogs, it is worth highlighting: • frogs are the first vertebrate amphibian creatures to rise to their feet (this happened 300 million years ago, when not a single species of vertebrate had limbs); • our planet today inhabits several thousand species of amphibians;• frogs live everywhere, they are not found only at the Earth’s poles);• most species live in the central part of America, in the Tropics;• some representatives of the order of anurans are poisonous to humans;• frogs are predators that hunt land and in water bodies. World Frog Day is meant to educate people about amphibians, which are an important part of the ecosystem to prevent its destruction. Scientists continue to sound the alarm, pointing to statistical research data confirming the disappearance of many species of frogs. This process is due to globalization, deforestation, drainage of swamps and the expansion of megacities. Not everyone knows that frogs are disappearing. But the extinction of amphibians is dangerous because of the disruption of the entire ecosystem and the loss of its internal balance. If the public is not educated about the importance of frogs and their extinction, then the extinction of amphibians will be impossible to stop. That is why Frog Day was created, which helps to draw people's attention to amphibians and learn more about their role in the life of our Planet. On World Frog Day, it is important to spread awareness about anurans everywhere, even in the most remote corners of the planet, among local schools and environmental groups. We need to encourage people to appreciate the importance of amphibians, because they do a lot for the entire ecosystem and prevent the loss of the balance created in it.

Good ecology and natural food without chemicals, GMOs and other additives were the key to healthy teeth and gums for our ancestors. Today, the situation has changed radically due to a decrease in the quality of food, a decrease in the amount of solid food consumed, poor oral hygiene and other factors. The consequence of this was numerous pathologies - diseases of the tongue and gums, ulcers, wounds and ulcers of the mucous membrane, difficulty in salivation. World Oral Health Day, which is celebrated on March 20, is intended to draw attention to these and other problems. World Oral Health Day was first held in 2013. The celebration was founded by the World Dental Organization. Its members from 130 countries annually hold exhibitions, congresses and lectures dedicated to oral hygiene and health. Since 2014, as part of the holiday, a competition has been held for the best informational and preventive event held by organizations of dental students. The winners included teams from higher education institutions in Egypt, Poland, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sudan and Palestine. Thanks to the World Dental Federation initiative, millions of people receive information on how to avoid periodontitis, stomatitis, glossitis, fungal diseases and other pathologies. Every year, World Health Day is dedicated to a specific theme. The organizers of the holiday focus on the right choice of toothbrush, a beautiful smile, the connection between the condition of the oral cavity and the well-being of a person in general. One of the goals of World Day is to attract people's attention to the problems of diseases of teeth and gums among children without parental care living in orphanages. Oral health is the comfort of chewing and swallowing food, a beautiful smile and a person’s confidence in an impeccable appearance, which gives a feeling of inner harmony and well-being. The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract depends on the condition of the teeth, gums and mucous membranes. That's why doctors pay such close attention to oral health. In the Russian Federation, in honor of the holiday, events are being held in more than 70 regions that are aimed at educating the population and making dental patients understand that doctors need to be visited once every 6 months for preventive purposes and more often in the presence of diseases. The World Dental Federation has developed designs for postcards, banners and posters, and created stories for videos, using which supporters of the World Dental Federation celebration will be able to apply the knowledge gained in life. In honor of World Day, everyone posts on social networks with thematic hashtags and pledges to take care of their oral health every day.

Admirers of the French language celebrate their holiday on March 20. The date is called International Francophonie Day. The etymology of the word is clear: “franco” (in French) + “phonia” (sound, sound). Once upon a time, a good half of the enlightened world spoke French. One of the colorful illustrations of this is the conversation between Emperor Alexander I and commander Napoleon. As is known, the Russian monarch did not need an interpreter (translator), and spoke Hugo’s language better than the Corsican Bonaparte, which caused considerable annoyance in the latter. The second striking example is Pushkin’s complaints about his heroine, Tatyana Larina. The poet complained to the reader that Tanya “knew Russian poorly, did not read our magazines and had difficulty expressing herself in her native language.” So much so that she even scribbled a love letter to Eugene in French, being sure that the addressee would understand it. Echoes of the once significant influence of Francophonie can still be found. In current diplomatic documents, personal names and surnames are written in accordance with French transliterations. It is enough to look at your passport to be convinced of this. Many borrowings with French roots have taken root in the Russian language, even in proper names. So, we call Eugene Zhenya thanks to the French modification of this name, Eugene. And we don’t always think about the origin of the terms when addressing a makeup artist who uses lotion before applying makeup (lotion, makeup, makeup artist are words of French origin). French is the official language in dozens of countries, in several international organizations, and is also one of the six official and business languages ​​of the UN. The holiday was born as a tradition to celebrate the founding of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation; it was the first international organization among the French-speaking powers. The agreement on its creation was signed in 1970, on March 20, in the Nigerian city of Niamey. International Francophonie Day affects not only the language of the descendants of the Gauls, but also the culture, traditions, values ​​and customs that are in one way or another associated with the French. Since the French language is widely spoken geographically, representatives from different countries come to celebrate this date. At the same time, Canadians and Nigerians, Belgians and inhabitants of the Seychelles, residents of Luxembourg and Equatorial Guinea are present at the events, forming a powerful movement under the auspices of the holiday.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sowing season begins on the day of the spring equinox. In Yuzhny, March 19-21 marks the beginning of autumn and the process of harvesting, no less important from the point of view of the national economy. A significant date for the spring equinox is the date associated with the sowing of cereal crops. The well-being of millions of people who eat bread and other flour products depends on the future harvest. Therefore, March 20 is celebrated as World Flour Day. One of the most common plants, the seeds of which are immersed in the soil after cultivation, are cereal crops. These mainly include corn, rice, wheat, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, millet, lentils, spelled, sorghum, flax seeds, spelled and quinoa. Cereals made from whole and crushed grains are used to prepare a variety of dishes - from snacks to desserts. Cereals play an important role in the human diet, as they saturate the body with proteins, minerals and vitamins. Cereals also contain fiber and cellulose, which are responsible for digestion, and therefore for good health. Cereals and crushed kernels in the form of flour have been used by bakers for thousands of years to prepare “white gold” products - bread, pasta, cakes, sweet pastries, etc. A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet cannot be imagined without grain crops. Since ancient times, flour was produced in mills and transported in canvas bags. In honor of them, in Germany in the city of Wittenburg, on the initiative of Volkmar Viviol, the FlourWorld Museum was opened in 2008. The museum, the idea of ​​its creator, the owner of the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe holding, one of the largest producers of ingredients for the food industry, has become a monument to the centuries-old work of millers around the world. And that means suffering as a result of their professional activities. World Flour Day, endorsed by the National Day Calendar, aims to highlight the importance of grains in the daily diet. World Flour Day is celebrated on March 20 by specialists in various fields - from farmers, millers and bakers to loaders and carriers who deliver food products from grain crops to our tables. Every year, 750 million tons of wheat flour are harvested around the world. The scale of grinding of grains from other cereals is no less impressive. Therefore, the holiday celebrated on March 20 is important for residents of many countries around the world. World Flour Day promotes the improvement of intercultural exchange between representatives of those industries involved in the processing of cereals and the production of baked goods from flour.

Holidays in Tunisia - Independence Day

Fun Holidays - World Storytelling Day

According to the folk calendar, Pavel Kapelnik is celebrated on March 20 (March 7, old style). Also on this day, according to the church calendar, believers honor the memory of Saints Paul the Confessor and Paul the Simple, from whom the holiday borrowed its name. Paul the Confessor served as a bishop in the 9th century in what is now Turkey. He clothed himself with idolatry and defended the shrines of Christians, which is why the pagans subjected him to exile. The story of Saint Paul began in the 4th century. After his wife's adultery, he went to a monastery and became a hermit. For his righteous life and constant prayers, the Almighty awarded Paul the gift of foresight and the ability to cast out demons from their bodies. People called Pavel Kapelnik. Previously, in Rus' this was the name given to the first month of spring, when melted snow dripped from the roofs and snowdrops and the first grass appeared on the ground. There was just a natural boundary between winter and spring. The cold weather was receding, there were rarely frosts at night, and during the day the sun noticeably warmed everything around. Under the influence of heat, huge blocks of snow were torn off the roofs of houses. As they fell, they made a loud sound, and the residents said that these were human sins falling to the ground. In order to have the strength not to sin, they prayed before the icon of the Holy Mother of God, called the “Helper of Sinners.” They believed that the Mother of God always intercedes for humanity. She was the patroness of women giving birth, so they prayed to her, asking for an easy birth and protection for their children. When going out to sow, the peasants turned to her for successful sowing. Based on the signs of Pavel Kapelnik, they judged what was coming. If migratory birds returned home, residents prepared for the onset of warm weather. But the meeting with the finch predicted cold weather again. Water dripping from the roof foreshadowed a fruitful year. Large icicles in the evening meant that the flax in the fields would also grow long.

Meditative practices and contemplation help residents of the Land of the Rising Sun cope with mental tension and stress of everyday life. To relax and calm down, the Japanese attend a tea ceremony and sekitai - a rock garden. Another way to gain aesthetic pleasure and achieve inner harmony is to watch cherry blossom trees - Hanami. O-hanami, the cherry blossom festival in Japan, is held annually on March 20th. The holiday has its own dates in different prefectures. So, in Hokkaido in Sapporo, cherry blossoms occur on the 15th-20th of March, in Tokyo - at the end of the month, in Kyoto and Osaka - in the first half of April. In the warm oases of the northern regions of the country, for example on the Izu Peninsula, sakura begins to bloom very early - in mid-February. The tradition of holding the festival appeared during the reign of the Tokugawa clan in the country in 1603-1863, called the Edo period. Even though Hanami is not an official holiday, Japanese newspapers and magazines carry forecasts for cherry blossoms and recommendations on which places in a particular prefecture are ideal for viewing cherry blossoms on their front pages every day. The Meteorological Agency also notifies citizens of the country about the appearance of the first pink petals. Hanami is a big event for both local residents and tourists, for whom getting to Japan at the time of cherry blossom is a great success. During the O-hanami period, company managers are sympathetic to requests from subordinates to leave work early to admire the sakura. The ancient custom of viewing the blossoming buds of a tree, which arose during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century, is of great cultural significance. In the Land of the Rising Sun, cherry is the personification of renewal and rebirth, a symbol of tenderness and feminine beauty, purity of thoughts, the transience of time and the value of every moment. The flowering period lasts on average about 2 weeks. In the evening, after 18.00, the crowns of the trees are illuminated to create a romantic and mysterious atmosphere. To do this, they install raitappa - multi-colored paper lanterns - on the trunks of cherries. For those who were unable to attend O-hanami or want to refresh their senses, museums around the country hold exhibitions throughout the year. Their visitors admire exhibits in the form of illuminated artificial sakura trees and inhale the aromas of cherry blossoms. But no imitation of a natural phenomenon can replace admiring real trees in bloom. This will be confirmed by every Japanese who, according to tradition, climbs Mount Fuji at least once in his life and celebrates Hanami every year.

Day of fasting and spiritual practices "Amalaki Ekadashi" in India (Amalaki Ekadashi)

Orthodox holidays on March 20:

The celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners” is held twice a year – on March 20 and June 11. The famous image received its name from the inscription preserved on the image: “I am the Helper of sinners to My Son.” The holy image became famous thanks to the amazing healings that occurred during the cholera epidemic. For the first time, unusual events occurred in the mid-19th century in the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery, where the icon was installed in a wooden chapel at the Holy Gate. The miraculous power of the image was revealed to several residents of the city. Prayer in front of the Holy Cloth healed a two-year-old boy who suffered from epilepsy, and a previously blind three-year-old girl, whose sight returned. The holy image of the Mother of God also restored health to the paralyzed boy. The miraculous healings that occurred almost simultaneously glorified the icon throughout the area. Since then, many residents of the Oryol province came to pray at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, where the image was moved after a series of amazing events. During the massive spread of cholera, the icon brought back to life many terminally ill patients, whose relatives tirelessly prayed for the salvation of their loved ones. The copy of the miraculous image was made only in 1848, through the diligence of Dmitry Boncheskul, who placed it in his house. After many new healings, the miraculous list was transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki. To this day, many people come here to pray for deliverance from epidemics that destroy the souls of millions of people. The veneration of the icon is traditionally held on March 20 and June 11 - the only days when it exudes the greatest power. So, twice a year people from all over Russia come to Khamovniki to visit St. Nicholas Church and pray before the miraculous face. At this time, it is necessary to read special prayers aimed at saving the souls of sinners. It is believed that only at this time can one notice a shine of extraordinary beauty on the famous icon “The Helper of Sinners”. A bright glow emanates from the oily substance flowing from the canvas itself. The liquid has miraculous powers, which, with the help of prayer and inner faith, can heal even the most seriously ill patients.

Memorial Day of St. Paul the Simple