Every year on March 25, the world celebrates the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The corresponding resolution was issued by the UN General Assembly in 2007, on December 17. A little earlier, this date was called differently - International Day of Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In March 2015, a memorial was erected to commemorate the victims of the slave trade. It is located on the territory of the UN buildings. The essence of this holiday is for people not to forget that there were those whose lives were spoiled by the cruel torment of slavery. The statistics are sad - during this period (more than 400 years) more than 15 million people suffered. Millions of broken destinies and mutilated lives. Slavery was distributed to any category of citizens - men, children, women, it spared no one. It should be noted that the abolition of slavery in different countries did not occur at the same time. For example, in the USA, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued only in 1863, while in Canada such a resolution was issued 30 years earlier. On March 25, the UN calls on everyone to pay tribute to the victims of the slave trade. It’s scary to just imagine the torment the slaves experienced. And it’s not even about physical labor, but about humiliation of personal dignity. After all, it is terrible when a person cannot control his own life, but is forced to do what he is forced to do. Morally and physically humiliated, the victims of the slave trade deserved memory and respect. The memorial date was made specifically so that modern humanity remembers and understands what terrible consequences slavery leads to. Racial hatred also falls into the same category, because the principle is the same - a person must suffer because he is different from others. In the case of the slave trade, the poor should suffer and not have the right to freedom, because he is not rich. This is wrong, because all people are equal in their rights and have the right to live freely, regardless of social status and position in society. Slavery still flourishes in the world to this day, although it is not legal, it is prosecuted by law. In eastern countries, girls from other countries are kidnapped and forcibly taken into the wilderness to serve clients in brothels for the rest of their lives. Sex slaves are found, but the percentage found is much lower than the percentage missing. The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade was created specifically to perpetuate the memory of the martyrs and show future generations how terrible the world was when such terrible events took place in it. So that every person thinks and wants to make the world a better place.

Despite the fact that the United Nations is the mainstay of the global security system, and according to its charter, peace-loving countries seeking interstate cooperation can be its members, less than half of the member states have signed the 1994 UN Personnel Safety Convention. The establishment of the Day of Solidarity with UN workers imprisoned or disappeared without a trace in troubled regions was another step towards civilized methods of regulating relations in the world system of states. March 25 is the date of the kidnapping in 1985 of Alec Collett, a journalist covering events in the Middle East region. As a UN employee, Collette, however, did not escape the attack; his remains were found almost a decade and a half later in Lebanon. This particular day was chosen to remind us of the dangerous work of humanitarian missions, experts, and officials working at the UN. We cannot remain silent about the fact that even countries that have signed an agreement on security measures for UN personnel often illegally detain civilian and military personnel of the organization, citizens of their own countries or from abroad. The organization's lawyers are constantly fighting to free UN representatives and workers from prison. About 20 people were detained illegally in various countries. The day before, the current Secretary General of the organization, in his annual message, appeals to the sense of justice of international society, declares the right to protect personnel in risky conditions, demands the immediate release of arrested employees, and bringing criminals to justice. On the day of the holiday, awards for assistance to UN missions find their heroes. Charity events raise funds to support the families of imprisoned peacekeepers. Flash mobs and lectures are dedicated to fighters for disarmament and freedom.

The Day of Cultural Workers of the Russian Federation, which is celebrated annually on March 25, starting in 2008, is considered a holiday for specialists in the cultural industry. The basis for the establishment of the holiday was the decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated August 27, 2007. Translated from Latin, “culture” means “education” and “cultivation.” Culture can be defined as an area of ​​human activity aimed at self-expression in the manifestation of knowledge, skills and abilities. Culture reflects a person’s way of life, his worldview and system of ideals. The culture of Russia is an interweaving of unique traditions based on humane and creative tendencies. Cultural workers allow people to enjoy musical, dramatic, visual and sculptural arts, and therefore are fully worthy of their own holiday. Cultural workers are considered to be professionals in the field of culture and art, publishing houses, libraries, museums, printing, cinema, media, tourism and sports. In previous times, Cultural Worker's Day was celebrated regionally at various times. In 2007, Minister of Culture Alexander Sokolov considered that the holiday deserves state status, and its date should be common to everyone. A unified holiday was needed for people engaged in servicing cultural institutions and having an attitude towards culture. The first day of cultural workers was celebrated in the Naro-Fominsk district of the Moscow region on February 14, 1996. The initiators were poet, journalist and composer Igor Gerasimov and director Oksana Akatskaya. The result was the establishment of the Open Heart Award, which has been awarded to the best employees of the district for 15 years. As a result, 2014 was declared the Year of Culture in the Russian Federation. Funds in the amount of 3 billion rubles were allocated for the implementation. Numerous restorations of cultural values ​​and monuments were observed, and theatrical exchange traditions were revived. The Year of Culture paid close attention to the regions. The Ministry of Culture applied 1000 regional grants to cultural institutions in the amount of 5 million rubles. for small towns. In 2015, an event called “Night of Museums” was held for the first time. It was held in all Russian regions with the association of museums in the country. Currently, the Internet portal of cultural heritage (“Kultura.rf”) contains 115 virtual museums. Cultural Worker's Day, which is celebrated on March 25, is invariably associated with the presentation of awards for cultural workers. On March 25, 2015, the Presidential Prize in the literary field was awarded, covering art in relation to works for children and youth, as well as to young cultural figures in the period 2014. Cultural Workers' Day does not apply to non-working days. An exception is if, depending on the year, the holiday falls on a weekend.

This dish is respected both among ordinary workers and members of royal families. Many Europeans find it difficult to imagine their breakfast without waffles, so they deserve special respect in the form of an international holiday in their honor. March 25 is International Waffle Day.

International Tolkien Reading Day is celebrated on March 25th. Lectures, conferences, and group classes based on the works of the famous writer are held in different countries. The main goals of the holiday are considered to be the popularization of the novels of J. R. R. Tolkien, the use of texts for education, games, and raising children. The British Tolkien Fan Society was founded in 1969. Gradually, The Tolkien Society became an international organization. The Society publishes the almanac Amon Hen every year. The periodical contains feature articles, works of art, and fan fiction. The idea of ​​establishing a holiday dedicated to Tolkien's works came from Sean Kirst. He was a columnist for the New York Post-Standard who lived in Syracuse. The holiday was first celebrated in 2003. Events dedicated to “special reality” are held every year. Why was March 25th chosen? This is the date of the fall of Sauron. The Fiend of Darkness, one of the heroes of the novel The Lord of the Rings, died on March 25, 3019. The harbinger of disaster was the disappearance of the ring of omnipotence. After the One Ring was melted by the magma of the volcano, Sauron disincarnated and became an ethereal spirit obsessed with the idea of ​​absolute power. The events of The Lord of the Rings took place in the fantasy country of Middle-earth. This is one of the continents of the world called Arda. In addition to The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien wrote The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and Roverand. Less well known is Farmer Giles of Ham. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (J. R. R. Tolkien) is a famous English writer. The author's parents lived in South Africa. John Ronald Ruel was born on January 3, 1892. In 1896, the mother took the child to England. From early childhood, Tolkien studied Latin and botany. His parents instilled in their son a love of reading. After the death of the mother, priest Francis Morgan took custody of the child. The guardian formed the teenager's interest in philological sciences. Tolkien became a polyglot, studied 14 and invented 19 languages. The first story, The Hobbit, appeared in 1930, when the writer was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. Then work continued on 2 volumes of The Lord of the Rings for more than 10 years. The author became widely known after the publication of the dilogy in the USA. The novel has been translated into dozens of languages. The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien's most popular work. In addition to prose, the celebrity wrote poetry, essays, and published philological studies. The annual Tolkien Reading Day celebration involves schools, libraries, non-profit organizations, and societies of lovers of Tolkien's works. The Tolkien Society provides the organizers with handouts and promotional materials and provides methodological support. Discussion of books develops intelligence, imagination, and teaches multidimensional perception of reality. Tolkien Reading Day is a tribute to the memory of the great writer, an excellent occasion to remember fantasy, creativity, valiant warriors, grandiose battles and great eras.

The end of March heralds not only the beginning of spring, but also brings spiritual rebirth in many cultures and religions. While people in the west adhere to strict Holy Week rules, India and Nepal celebrate the colorful festival of Holi. The action begins on Purnima, the full moon day according to the Hindu month of Phalguni (February/March) and can last from 2 to 16 days. Holi is an official holiday in all states of India, except for a few regions in the extreme south and northeast. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the coming harvest. This is a holiday of flowers, emotions and happiness. The central ritual of Holi is the showering of colored powder on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name "Festival of Colors" or "Festival of Mutual Love." During this period, the country becomes painted in mesmerizing shades of yellow, purple, green, violet and other colors. Clouds of flowers dancing in the wind carry a message of love and happiness through walls, neighbors and hearts. This day is designed to strengthen or renew relationships, receive the blessings of loved ones, or openly show your affections. Participants in the action congratulate all festival visitors on the holiday, while showering their faces and clothes with bright powder. For Holi weeks, a special composition is prepared in advance where the substance abir (small papery pieces of mica) is added to it to give a rich shine to the color. During the Holi festival, loose powder is sold in every market. It can even be mixed with water and filled into balloons with colored liquid for added mischief and fun. Each color has its own meaning, religious or otherwise. It can personify a certain moment or occasion, symbolize the power of life. The white shade carries not only a feeling of purity, but also of mourning. Indian widows wear only white clothes. Black color is considered ugly and evil here, so it is undesirable to use it. Red is the sign of marriage. It symbolizes fertility, love, beauty and is a sign of a married woman. The color yellow is synonymous with turmeric, an important ingredient in religion. It has been revered in Indian medicine since ancient times. Other colors that tease the skies on the holiday include blue, the color of the revered god in Hinduism, Lord Krishna. Green symbolizes a new beginning, harvest and fertility, and is the sacred color of the Muslim community. Saffron is often associated with Hinduism, piety and strength. The Flower Festival is a celebration of all ages, representatives of different classes, when barriers are broken and love reigns all around. It has long been associated with happiness and the rebirth of soul and body. The colors that come with it visually remind everyone of the rebirth of the human spirit and vitality.

March 25th is celebrated around the world as Postcard Day. Its history goes back over 170 years. The name itself comes from a combination of two words “open” and “letter”, that is, a type of correspondence without the use of an envelope. On the outside there is an image, on the other there is space for a small letter, a stamp, the address of the recipient and the sender. Most often, postcards are used for congratulations on significant events. There are several versions of the appearance of the postcard. According to one of them, the first card was printed by order of the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Henry Cole. To wish all his numerous relatives a Merry Christmas, he placed an order for 1000 cards. They depicted a large family at the table, with congratulatory words. This event took place in 1840, and of the entire circulation, 12 copies have survived to this day. The first full-fledged postcards appeared in Austria-Hungary in the second half of the 60s of the 19th century. They were made in the form of ordinary cardboard pieces. The items were intended for a short message and had appropriate space for a brand and address. Later, in the active French and German armies, a tendency arose to independently paint postcards that did not have illustrations. In a similar way, the military sought to somehow distract themselves and brighten up the sad, same-type war days by sending news to their relatives. This idea, naturally, was picked up by business-minded businessmen, resulting in the appearance of illustrated postcards. According to the Germans, the very first such card was created by a bookseller from Germany, while the French claim that it was an entrepreneur from Brittany. Subsequently, the trend to produce printed products of this type was picked up by other states. At the International Postal Congress in Paris in 1878, a world standard for card sizes was approved: 9 x 14 cm, a little later it was changed - 10.5 x 14.8 cm. In our country, the printing of postcards in printing houses began in 1894. Initially, its reverse side was intended only for the address, but since 1904 the left side was reserved for a small message. The height of popularity for greeting cards was between 1898 and 1918. A huge number of topics and plots were devoted to cards. First of all, these are romantic messages, images of cities, folklore themes, portraits of creative personalities and scientists, as well as paintings by famous artists. During the First World War, cartoons became popular that ridiculed the enemies of Russia. Today, postcards are used much less frequently for their primary purpose. This is due to the rapid development of modern means of communication. Despite this, many people continue to send or give beautiful store-bought or handmade cards to their loved ones and friends. Therefore, they have not yet lost their significance.

Greek Holidays - Independence Day

Western Christians celebrate the bright holiday of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on March 25. On this day they remember the great event that happened before the birth of Christ. An angel of the Lord came to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would soon give birth to a child who would be the son of God himself. Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, were very God-fearing people. They lived a wonderful life, had prosperity in everything, but there was one pain that did not give them peace - they did not have children. Despite their advanced age, they still believed and prayed that the Almighty would send them a child. They also made a promise that the child they would have would be given to serve the Lord. God heard their prayers, and Anna gave birth to a girl, who later became the mother of the Son of God. As the parents promised, at the age of three they sent the baby to the temple to serve the Lord. And at the age of eighteen she was betrothed to the righteous Joseph.

On March 25, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the bright holiday of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They celebrate the coming of the Good News in Bulgaria, while at the same time welcoming the arrival of spring and warmth. The plot that formed the basis of the Feast of the Annunciation is described by the Evangelist Luke. In Nazareth, the Archangel Gabriel appeared at the house of the Virgin Mary. The messenger brought the good news to the girl about her election as the mother of the Savior of mankind. The Archangel talks about the birth of the baby from the Holy Spirit, and about his future greatness, which has no limits. Mary was embarrassed by Gabriel’s words, but she humbly accepted the message sent to her and the Divine will. This holiday has been established in Orthodoxy since the 4th century, and its name Annunciation appears in church use no earlier than the 7th century, earlier names being “Feast of the Incarnation” or “Angelic Greeting”. In Bulgaria, March 25 is called “Blagovets” and is celebrated in a very unique way, rejoicing at the final victory of spring over the winter cold. The cuckoo notifies everyone of the arrival of heat, for whose appearance it is necessary to prepare. You definitely need to be healthy, well-fed and cheerful, and have a hard coin or rustling bills in your pocket. Having heard a close cuckoo, they should have time to count all the capital they have with them. Correct observance of the ritual promised great prosperity and much joy for the year ahead. In Bulgaria they believe that the heavens open on Blagovets, and the Lord God himself descends to earth. In some villages, it was customary to look at the sky the night before the holiday, and, seeing the Lord, make your most cherished wish. It is also believed that on this day any wound heals very quickly, so young girls pierced their ears for earrings on the Annunciation. Lent is not a hindrance to setting tables with plentiful treats; housewives serve ritual baked goods, fish dishes, Lenten pies with vegetables and honey. Greens are always served with the main dishes, as a symbol of the arrival of spring. Hosts and guests turn to each other with wishes of health and well-being. On the holiday, one should not forget about the poor and orphans; everyone should be treated and given good wishes.

International Day of the Unborn Child

International holidays - European Talent Day

The opening of Svarga is a traditional pagan holiday of the ancient Slavs, most often falling on one of the last days of March (3-4 weeks before Easter). This is a holiday when all living things celebrated the triumph of sunlight over the dark world, the victory of a happy life over bitter death. This is the time when the ancient Slavs, living according to the laws of the Rule, honoring the customs of their Ancestors and Gods, called out for Spring for the last, third time. Svarga in Slavic legends is paradise, the “land of the sun”, the habitat of the souls of deceased ancestors. This is a place where, according to legend, outlandish trees grew, where the air was filled with the aroma of the most beautiful flowers, and the ear was captivated by the gentle singing of birds unprecedented on earth, merging into a single melody. Svarga opened, and the goddess, called Living Spring, descended from heaven to earth, to people. On the opening day of Svarga, people did not work. From the very early morning, housewives baked cookies for treats, shaped like larks. Cages with live birds were taken outside. The cage doors were opened, giving the birds complete freedom with the words: “Larks, fly!” Spring was invoked with songs, chants, and fun games. To sing the magical texts - “spring songs”, inviting Zhiva, young girls climbed to elevated places. From the rooftops and hillocks, here and there it began to sound: The song “And we sowed millet” called out millet. Of the games, the most popular were “Burners”. The kids were also involved: stringing cookies on sticks, running around, saying in discordant voices: Laughter, songs, games - everything was mixed, filling people with a positive attitude and goodness for many months to come. The peak of the holiday was considered the moment of burning the effigy of Madder-Winter. They also burned everything that was no longer useful: old things, utensils. Emotions that carried sadness, resentment, and destruction were also given over to the flames. When the games ended, the treats were tied to tree branches. The remaining crumbs were not thrown away, but mixed with the seeds prepared for sowing. The Slavs hoped in this way to displease the God of Fertility, Veles. After all, the period of agricultural work soon began, on the result of which the well-being of the entire people depended.

According to the folk calendar, March 25 (March 12, old style) is Theophanes' Day. This holiday was named in honor of St. Theophan of Sigrian, revered in the Orthodox Church on this date. Theophanes was born into a noble family in the 8th century in Constantinople. After the death of his father, Emperor Leo the Isaurian became his guardian, the young man received a good education and took the position of a dignitary at court. But Theophanes wanted to serve the Lord, so he became a monk. At first the monk copied books, and years later he organized the construction of a monastery in the Sigrian region. He was an activist against the iconoclastic heresy, for which his monastery was set on fire, and Theophan was locked in prison, where he died. Popularly, on Feofan's Day, peasants gathered on the street in the morning to greet the arrival of spring. The time was approaching for the final opening of the earth from snow. It was believed that migratory birds brought spring with them, and to attract them to the yard, residents scattered hemp and flax grains. This ritual was also carried out to increase the productivity of these crops. Hemp and flax were used for more than just textiles. They were woven into ropes, their grains were pressed into oil or added to poultry feed. Healers prepared medicinal tinctures from flax and hemp. Particular attention was paid to horses. They believed that if a horse gets sick on Feofan's day, then he is destined to be sick until the end of summer. That’s why the owners were more attentive to their four-legged helpers: they fed them more and cleaned their stall. To prevent the horse from catching the disease, it was taken to a pond and given water, after first dipping a silver coin into the water. Residents could predict the weather using horses. If the horse snorted, they were preparing for rain, but lifting his head foreshadowed bad weather. A horse lying in the snow meant that warming would soon come. Listening to the horse's snoring, they waited for the impending snowfall. If melting ice on reservoirs was noticed on Feofan, the year was predicted to have a poor harvest. The descending fog meant an abundance of hemp and flax in the fields in summer. Fine weather on this day promised June with frequent showers.

Orthodox holidays on March 25:

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Lydda

Memorial Day of St. Gregory Dvoeslov

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of St. Theophan of Sigrian on March 25. The venerable confessor lived in Byzantium in the 8th century during the time of iconoclasm and became known for his strong beliefs in icon veneration; his actions are also recognized by the Catholic Church. Theophanes was born into a noble family that had family relations with the Byzantine emperor. His birth and excellent education provided the young man with rapid career growth, as well as a bride from a high-born and wealthy family. But even then, despite his life prospects, the young man was thinking about Christian truths and higher spirituality. By mutual agreement, Theophanes and his wife adhere to chastity, preparing themselves for monasticism. The monastic rule of the newlyweds did not suit the father of the newlywed, and the father-in-law decides to send them to Sigrian to resolve important matters. There the couple meets the hermit Gregory Stratigius. The venerable elder uttered a prophecy about the crown of martyrdom prepared for Theophan, which confirmed the visitors’ decision to devote themselves to monastic life. Having accepted monastic vows from Elder Gregory and received a blessing, the future monk sets up a monastic monastery, in which he becomes abbot. Feofan, along with other novices, performs the most difficult work and strictly honors the monastic rules. Thanks to his great spiritual power, he was given the gift of healing people and casting out their demons. Many people found health and peace after turning to the monk. Rumors about a noble rich man who became a poor monk-miracle worker spread far beyond Sigrian. Empress Irina herself wished to see Theophan the Confessor at the Ecumenical Council, where the foundations of icon veneration were approved. But soon the faithful Irina is replaced on the throne by a completely different ruler. Leo the Armenian was an opponent of holy icons and Theophan, as an icon-venerator, falls into disgrace with the cruel emperor. After much persuasion and sweet promises, and then torture, Elder Theophan, firm in his convictions, is imprisoned, where the monk finds his eternal peace. In folk tradition, March 25 was considered the turning point of the final arrival of spring. “Theophanes, break the crust,” the saying went. There were also special weather signs of this day: - thick fog predicted a large harvest of flax and oats, to be sure of this sign, housewives fed the birds with flax grains; - the loud snorting of horses promised an imminent downpour; - warm and truly spring weather was a forecast of a rainy summer; - If they noticed sinking, unmelted ice on the river, they knew for sure that the coming year would not produce a good harvest.

Memorial Day of St. Simeon the New Theologian