Theater is one of the forms of modern art, where the director's perceptions and emotions are transmitted to the audience through the actions of the artists on stage. International Theater Day is celebrated every year on March 27th. This is not only a professional date for actors, but also a celebration of numerous admirers of this art. It was established in 1961 by the IX Congress of the International Theater Institute. The word “theater” itself comes from the ancient Greek theatron, which literally translates as “a place where people watch.” Basically, the two most common genres are played out on stage - tragedy and comedy, the symbols of which are masks. The history of theatrical art began in ancient times. It has its roots in folk festivals, games and all kinds of rituals. As a result of this, the first tragic and comedic acts appeared, containing plots of a dramatic nature. Masks, costumes, first dialogues, songs and dance scenes were used. Subsequently, there was a separation of ritual and cult foundations and actions, and characters began to stand out from the choir. Gradually, mass celebrations turned into organized activities. This served as a prerequisite for the creation of literary drama. The process was incredibly expressive in ancient Greek theaters, which had a tremendous influence on the development of European art. In cities, stage performances were an obligatory component of social life. Ancient Greek performances were mass celebrations. Amphitheaters were built in the open air, capable of accommodating several thousand spectators. Not only professional artists, but also ordinary citizens took part in theatrical performances. Choreography and musical compositions were integral elements. The ancient Roman theater developed much more actively. The look of the stage was different, the playing technique became as professional as possible. During the Middle Ages, this type of art virtually ceased to exist in Europe. It was only possible to revive it in the 15th century. All roles in the performances were played by representatives of the male population. The first women began working in traveling theaters in Italy. They performed comedy performances. The culture of the Renaissance managed not only to revive the customs of ancient theatrical art, but also to combine them with national treasures. Modern theater is a combination of various art forms, a combination of satire, lyricism, emotions and psychological analysis. March 27 is a day when not only the professional anniversary of stage performers and all theater employees is celebrated, it is a holiday for millions of art fans. And, naturally, in honor of this wonderful event, all kinds of festivals, thematic performances and performances of the best plays are organized in almost all theaters. Also on this day, sincere congratulations and compliments are given to all actors taking part in theatrical productions.

On March 27, according to the Presidential Decree, the troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation celebrate their professional holiday. This event is intended to preserve the continuity of military traditions that have been created and developed over centuries, as well as to increase the prestige and honorable title of a National Guard soldier. The choice of date for this holiday was not accidental. Previously (until 2017), on the same day, residents of the country celebrated the Day of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. But, as you know, these troops were also transformed into the National Guard in 2016, therefore, it is quite logical that they decided to rename their holiday. National Guard Day is a significant event for all military personnel and civilian personnel who perform complex tasks every day: maintaining law and order in society, fighting various manifestations of extremism and terrorism, always ensuring the safety of residents of the Russian Federation when numerous rallies, concerts, meetings are held, protect objects that are strategically important for the state. In addition, if necessary, we are always ready to participate in the defense or ensuring the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation together with other troops (border or armed). On March 27, especially in honor of these people, their high professionalism, as a sign of gratitude and respect, festive, ceremonial concerts, sports competitions and meetings of veterans will be held throughout the country, and, of course, a ceremony of awarding honorary state awards to all those who particularly distinguished themselves during their service . It is also impossible to imagine National Guard Troops Day without laying flowers at the graves and memorials of soldiers killed in service, and a moment of silence to honor the memory of all those who gave their lives for the safety and peaceful life of their compatriots.

March 27 is International Whiskey Day. This alcoholic drink is produced everywhere. It is loved by Americans, British, Irish and Canadians. Today whiskey is produced even in India and a number of African countries. Scotland and Ireland claim the right to be called the birthplace of the amber drink. This dispute has been going on for centuries and most likely no one will emerge victorious. Time passes, and every year it becomes more and more difficult to get to the bottom of the truth. Whiskey, which is preferred by true gentlemen, has a rich history. The best alcohol was produced in medieval monasteries. Monastic orders did this for economic and medical purposes. They knew the secrets of winemaking, and they were the first to produce whiskey in the second half of the 15th century. At first the drink was called the water of life - “aque vitae”. The Scots and Irish at that time spoke a Celtic language, in which the name of the drink sounded different - “uisce beatha”. It was subsequently shortened to the more laconic “whisky.” The monks made this drink primarily for medicinal purposes. He was credited with miraculous properties. It was believed that whiskey could slow down the aging process and rejuvenate the body, promote the recovery of patients, sober the mind and fill a person with vitality. The monks used simple but labor-intensive technology. First, they sprouted barley by soaking it in water. The malt was then thoroughly dried over peat smoke. This added special notes to the rich bouquet of taste of the drink. The dried malt was thoroughly ground and again filled with water. It was infused before the fermentation processes began. After this, the sweet raw materials were distilled at least twice. The finished drink was diluted with water, poured into oak barrels that were previously used to store wine, after which the whiskey was infused for several years. The most interesting technology used by the monks was the use of wine barrels. This method has become the most common. Many centuries ago, monks were guided by practical considerations. They simply did not have such a large supply of containers. The whiskey had to be poured into something, and the only thing on hand was wine barrels. Over time, the monks noticed that a drink kept in such a container acquires a number of characteristic features. An oak barrel is saturated with wine vapors, which subsequently not only give the whiskey an original taste, but also color it that same amber color. Pure whiskey is clear, just like regular alcohol. There is a legend about almost black whiskey, which can be called the oldest among alcoholic beverages. In fact, it doesn't exist. More precisely, it cannot be obtained naturally. Today, many unscrupulous businessmen tint whiskey with caramel. The oak from which the barrels were made contains active substances. When interacting with alcohol, they give it a characteristic taste and take away “unnecessary” extraneous elements. No matter how carefully the monks guard their secrets, everything secret sooner or later becomes clear. The recipe for making whiskey left the walls of monasteries and quickly became public knowledge. Today there are many different recipes for making whiskey. Ahead of the rest of the world in the production of amber drink are, of course, Ireland and Scotland. In these countries there are small family companies that export whiskey to different parts of the world. The drink is produced in small batches, so the price for one bottle of this pleasure is quite high. As William Faulkner wrote: “There is no such thing as bad whiskey. Some whiskeys are just better than others.”

International holidays - Nephrologist Day

International holidays - International Medical Science Liaison Day

On March 27 (March 14 is the date according to the old style), according to the folk calendar, Venedikt’s Day is celebrated, also called Skotnik. The name of the day is borrowed from the name of St. Benedict of Nursia, whose memory is honored by Orthodox Christians on this date. Saint Benedict was born in the 5th century in Nursia, Italy, and was educated in Rome. The immoral life of society burdened him, so Benedict became a monk and retired to the mountains. Dozens of monks reached out to him, wanting to become his disciples. Then Benedict built the Monte Cassin monastery and created a charter with strict rules. The monk knew how to heal the sick with prayers addressed to God. People often called the day Skotnik. Since large livestock were beginning their coat change period, the owners took care of them on this day. The cattle were taken out into the yard, cleaned of dirt and old hair, and allowed to graze the first grass. The barns were put in complete order: they ventilated, collected and transported manure to the fields, and laid a clean bedding of hay. Horses, cows and goats were considered the first helpers and breadwinners on the farm. During the famine period, when flour supplies ran out in the barns, dairy products came in very handy for the peasants. Therefore, people performed various rituals to protect livestock, read conspiracies against diseases, the evil eye and the influence of evil spirits. The stables and yard were sprinkled with holy water to protect the animals from harm. There were various prohibitions on Venedikt's Day. They avoided eating meat products so as not to offend livestock. It was forbidden to use sharp tools and chop trees for firewood, otherwise household members could quarrel. We refrained from looking in the mirror on this day so that our vitality would not leave us. But they made sure to pray to Saint Benedict for prosperity and peace. The signs on Skotnik were associated with animals. If a cow gave less milk than usual, they prepared for worse weather. Butting sheep predicted strong winds. If the cattle ate with appetite but refused to drink, rainy weather was expected. A tripping horse foreshadowed trouble on the journey, but sleeping standing up meant the approach of frost, sleeping lying down meant warming.

Funny holidays, often devoid of deep meaning, paint everyday life with bright colors and understand the mood. Comic celebrations in honor of rubber galoshes, cut glass, stray doors, orange fairy tales and cloud elephants bring a smile to the most notorious pessimists. Such unusual and fun holidays include Gooseflesh Day, which is celebrated on March 27th. Goosebumps, small pimples at the base of the hair on the human body, arise involuntarily from hypothermia, with strong emotional arousal - admiration, fear or awe. The frequent appearance of goose bumps, called polyerection, may indicate a lack of vitamins A, B and E. Sometimes raising body hairs and goosebumps are one of the symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy, keratosis pilaris, autonomic dysreflexia and other diseases. This feature of the human body, similar to the appearance of raised hair in animals, has been studied only recently. Scientists from Harvard University and National Taiwan University devoted their research to the phenomenon. After observing the skin of mice and human hair follicles in 2020, they concluded that the autonomic nervous system is involved in the process of goosebumps. Through an effort of will, a person cannot influence its work, which causes breathing, heartbeat, maintaining blood pressure and other processes. Therefore, the stimulation of hair follicles, called goose bumps, occurs automatically. The sympathetic nervous system, the center of regulation of which is the hypothalamus, is responsible for transmitting signals to a specific part of the body, for example, when the body cools down or when there is anxiety. In ancient people, raised hairs retained warm air at the surface of the body and prevented them from freezing. Raised fur visually increased the animal's size, making it more massive and more terrifying in the eyes of the enemy. Goose bumps in Homo Sapiens are not always a response of the nervous system to stress or cold. Neurons activate the hair follicles and cause muscle contraction, causing goosebumps. Pimples on the body appear from the pleasure that a person receives when listening to music, reading poems or viewing paintings. Polyerection is the body's emotional response to a pleasant touch, a feeling of beauty, or admiration for someone's heroism. Women, as more sensitive creatures, experience goosebumps more often than men. An unusual holiday is dedicated to this amazing property of the body - Gooseflesh Day.

Orthodox holidays on March 27:

Celebration in honor of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

Feast of the Sebezh-Opochetsk Icon of the Mother of God “Uileniye”

On March 27, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Venerable Benedict of Nursia, better known as Saint Benedict, founder of the Benedictine monastic order, the first in Europe. Benedict lived in Italy at the turn of the 5th-6th centuries and came from a noble family in the city of Nursia. The well-born young man was sent to Rome to receive an education, but there he began to communicate with pious Christians, after which he left the Eternal City for a solitary life. Soon, Venedikt chooses complete hermitage and spends three years in a cave, from where he emerges spiritually tempered and physically stronger. The fame of the young hermit spread far beyond the boundaries of his cave, and the monks of the nearby monastery turned to the monk with a request to become their mentor. But Benedict’s ideas about monasticism turned out to be too harsh for the monastic brethren, and the failed abbot, faced with misunderstanding and envy, returned to his cave, having learned a bitter lesson from what happened. After much deliberation, Benedict, together with many followers, founded a monastery on Mount Cassino on the site of a former pagan temple. Here the saint introduces a clear structure, rules and regulations, in which humility before the Lord is exalted above the ascetic lifestyle. The glory of the new Christian monastery grew, as did the number of people wishing to join the monastery brethren. The charter and rules developed by the monk became the basis for all monasteries in Western Europe. Benedict also founded a women's monastery, the abbess of which was the sister of the Monk Scholastic. Saint Benedict is considered the patron saint of all Europe. Traditionally, he is depicted in dark or white vestments, in his hands an open monastic charter and a bunch of rods, symbolizing the saint’s ability to cast out demons. As abbot, Benedict became famous for his ability to defeat demons and his ability to bring the dead back to life through the power of prayer. Often next to the monk there is an image of a raven with a piece of bread. This bird recalls the foresight of the saint, whom envious people planned to poison by presenting him with poisoned bread, but Benedict asked the raven to throw a piece where no one would pick it up. In Rus', according to folk traditions, on March 27 one should take care of livestock. Animals were taken out of their stalls, cleaned, and prayers were said over them to protect them from disease and the evil eye. There were also special weather signs on Venedict: a frosty day promised to prolong the cold for at least another week, and early spring thunder predicted a fruitful year.

Memorial Day of St. Theognostus, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus'

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “Prisoned Vertograd”