Every year on May 4, fans of the famous film epic “Star Wars” celebrate an unofficial holiday, popularly called Star Wars Day. The film was shot by famous American director George Lucas. The date of the event was not chosen by chance. It came about as a result of a funny play on words. The English alphabet has many words with different spellings and meanings. Despite this, they are pronounced virtually identical. This is where the curiosity of the situation lies. Known all over the world and already becoming a cult phrase, uttered by the main characters, “May the force be with you” is written in English as: “May the force be with you.” One of the fans of the saga, apparently having an excellent sense of humor, once played on the parting words spoken in the film as “May the fourth of May be with you,” emphasizing the fact that the word from the English alphabet “May” can be translated as the month of spring, and “force” , which means strength, replace “fourth” (fourth). It is also worth noting that on May 4, 1979, when the premiere film of the epic celebrated its almost two-year anniversary, in the UK news column, party allies congratulated Margaret Thatcher, who had received the post of Prime Minister of England, with just this phrase: “May the 4th of May be with you, Maggie.” . The premiere film of the saga debuted on May 25. In Russia, the official screening took place in two cinemas in 1988 during the “American Cinema in the Soviet Union” program. In 2007, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the screening of the first film, which took place in Los Angeles, May 25 was designated as a holiday. However, May 4th is the most popular among fans. The first large-scale celebration of the solemn date took place in 2011 in the Canadian city of Toronto. The event was accompanied by a costume ball, a festive procession, video programs and various colorful shows. Since then, the holiday has been held every year, and social networks also contribute to its massive popularity. There are many interesting facts associated with this saga. In 2007, the monarch of Saudi Arabia, better known as Abdullah, considered in Western countries to be one of the cruelest dictators and enslaver of human rights and freedoms, arrived in England as part of an official visit. On this occasion, the British Guard Band, which usually accompanied state events with the participation of its queen, played the famous march from the cult saga “Star Wars” instead of the standard melody directly during the ceremony. The creator of Master Yoda, who appeared on screen in all three parts of the epic, is artist and makeup artist Stuart Freeborn. To model the character, he crossed two looks. He used his own face as a base and diluted it with the characteristic wrinkles of the scientist Einstein. Princess Leia's swimsuit, which turned every man's head, was invented and brought into reality by Edgy Gerard Rogers. In her interviews, the designer shared that the director gave her only general instructions about the actions in Jabba's castle, while he clearly wanted something special for the bikini. A total of two versions of the suit were modeled - the first made of metal, repurposed for stationary scenes, the second rubber for action scenes. On May 4, Star Wars fans rewatch their favorite film, organize costumed performances and all kinds of flash mobs, re-read comics and magazine reviews dedicated to the characters of the epic, and spend the whole day playing computer games. Because today “Star Wars” is not just a movie, including several separate series, but also animated films, comics, computer arcades, children’s toys, clothes with prints of heroes, etc.

An annual national holiday, which, thanks to legislative amendments adopted in 2002, became an official holiday. The independence of the Republic of Latvia from the Soviet Union was accepted by the Supreme Council on this day in 1990. Since 2011, the holiday has been renamed, which emphasizes that this is the second attempt for the country to gain long-awaited sovereignty over the last century. The official wording included the words: “Day of Restoration of Independence.” The name of the holiday is as unstable as the independence of the Republic of Latvia itself. The events of the First World War allowed Latvia to gain autonomy for the first time in 1918, which was recognized a few years later by the RSFSR and the countries of Atlanta. But the relatively short period of independence in a historical sense lasted until August 1939. The famous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (a secret agreement between the USSR and Germany) divided the spheres of influence of the two powers: some countries of Eastern Europe went to the Soviet Union. I had to forget again about the possibility of being an independent international entity, having become the Latvian SSR in 1940. Now this period of time until 1990 is considered by the Latvian side to be the period of Soviet occupation. The country's leadership greatly appreciates the times of Gorbachev's perestroika and the opportunity of the Supreme Council to give a second chance to Latvia as a self-sufficient state. In honor of the solemn date, special meetings of the Seimas, the modern parliament that replaced the Supreme Council, are held. On May 4, state awards are presented for various merits and the traditional laying of flowers takes place at the symbolic Freedom Monument on the main square of Riga. Ordinary citizens, about half of whom, according to opinion polls, do not even know the correct wording of the name of the holiday, take advantage of the opportunity to relax culturally. On May 4, concerts, family celebrations, marathons of Latvian films, various florist competitions are traditionally held, and in the evening residents and guests of the capital will be treated to fireworks.

In the late 80s and early 90s, the word “hacienda” appeared in the vocabulary of citizens of Russia and former Soviet republics. It was used to designate an area on the land of which the African slaves from the Brazilian TV series were not working. Gardeners and gardeners “plowed” every weekend and during vacations in their garden beds half-dressed, as a result of which they acquired a “country tan” - a black back and arms that contrasted sharply with the white legs and belly. American social activist and editor-in-chief of Nude & Nature magazine Mark Story and proponent of permaculutrism Jacob Gabriel (a method of farming taking into account natural ecosystems) went further. In order to popularize human life in harmony with nature, they invited gardeners and gardeners to work on the land in the nude, establishing an unusual holiday. From 2005 to 2007 World Naked Gardening Day was celebrated on September 10th. Today, World Naked Gardening Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of May. Spring is the time to begin active work on personal plots, which consists of cleaning the territory, weeding, pruning bushes and trees, and preparing the soil for planting. Therefore, moving the date of the funny holiday to May is quite justified. However, the New Zealand Naturist Federation in 2018 decided, taking into account the climate of the Southern Hemisphere, to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day on the last weekend of October. In Canada, due to cold spring weather, the holiday was moved to the first Saturday in June. Such a scatter of dates does not prevent the movement of naturalism - a way of life in unity with nature - from spreading throughout the world. In honor of World Naked Gardening Day, naked gardeners are not only planting plants in their own gardens, but also working naked in public gardens and parks. Information support for the holiday is provided by the Naturist Society, based in the USA in the state of Wisconsin. The organization, which encourages people to accept their bodies and practice nudity in society, was founded in 1980. A year later, the Naturist Society began publishing a magazine, Dressed by the Sun, promoting tanning and skinny dipping. The initiators of World Naked Gardening Day claim that gardening and skinny dipping are two activities that people are happy to do without clothes. Clothes Free International and other organizations are also promoting the celebration. The first country whose citizens began to celebrate World Naked Gardener Day was Australia. It was followed by New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Today, the greatest support for the holiday is provided by residents of the American cities of Atlanta, Austin, Portland and Seattle. Gardeners and vegetable gardeners in Russia are still keeping an eye on the funny celebration and are in no hurry to start working on the plots as they were born. Moreover, in city parks and gardens, appearing naked is regarded as a violation of public order. The future will tell whether this unusual holiday will take root in the vastness of Russia, where dachas with gardening and gardening are very popular in the summer.

As a person ages, not only do tissue regeneration processes slow down, bones become brittle and excess weight appears, but muscle elasticity also decreases. Pilates helps restore graceful posture, lightness and freedom of movement. The system of exercises for increasing joint mobility and developing spinal flexibility was named after its developer, German-American Joseph Hubertus Pilates. In the late 1920s, the athlete and physical education teacher, together with his wife Clara, opened an independent school for a healthy lifestyle in the United States. Part of it included training to improve posture, body strength and flexibility, and coordination of movements. The method is based on the concept of brain control of muscle function. To create dynamic loads and perform other exercises, a reformer was invented - sports equipment that uses the principle of spring resistance, as well as equipment - a barrel and a back corrector. The first studio was opened by Pilates in New York in 1960 and very quickly became popular among people of different professions and social status. Famous choreographers and dancers George Balanchine and Martha Graham recommended exercises to recover from injuries, improve endurance and flexibility to their students. Today, Pilates classes are included in the schedule of most fitness clubs. A holiday has been established in honor of the sports technique, which has proven its effectiveness for almost 100 years. The first Saturday in May is Pilates Day. Stretching exercises improve the elasticity of muscles and ligaments, allow you to increase the range of motion, removing muscle blocks, speed up metabolism, and help you relax emotionally and physically. Pilates is used to prevent salt deposits, scoliosis, circulatory disorders and headaches. Initially, the technique was called Controlology - controlology, because Joseph Pilates emphasized mental discipline when performing exercises. The classes were aimed at developing useful motor skills in a person, which over time should turn into a habit. The founder of the method proved by his own example that this is possible: at the age of 83, Pilates taught his system, trained ordinary people and celebrities - Katherine Hebren, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and other famous personalities. In honor of Pilates Day, free classes and master classes are held, where beginners are invited to master sports techniques and basic exercises: “Hundred”, “Bridge”, “Swimming”, etc. Pilates is suitable for men and women with different levels of physical fitness and any age . For classes you do not need to purchase expensive equipment, special clothes and shoes. You can train both in the studio and at home, the main thing is the desire to become flexible and resilient, fit and vigorous. Give yourself the gift of freedom of movement by taking a step towards health in honor of Pilates Day!

Designs with intricate passages in which it is easy to get lost are part of puzzles, computer games and landscape design. Green labyrinths of hedges have long been present in the gardens of kings and nobles. Today, when creating structures with paths, dead ends and intersections, bushes with pineapple fruits, stones, mirrors and other materials are used. The labyrinth on the playground is a favorite pastime for little visitors. Adults often use the structure for meditation and transcendental experiences. This idea is promoted by The Labyrinth Society, an organization from the United States that established World Labyrinth Day in 2009. Walking along its paths helps you concentrate, stop internal dialogue and calm the mind, taking a step towards enlightenment. The oldest building in the world with numerous corridors and dead ends is considered to be a building with an area of ​​70 thousand m2, located near Lake Birket Qarun in the suburbs of Cairo. According to legends, the Egyptian labyrinth, in which the tombs of pharaohs and crocodiles were found, consisted of 3 thousand above-ground and underground rooms. The complex served as a place for religious mysteries and ritual sacrifices. The Knossos labyrinth is one of the most famous in the world. The structure with many passages was designed for King Minos by the engineer Daedalus. In a labyrinth with an area of ​​22 thousand m2 lived the Minotaur, killed by the ancient Greek hero Theseus. According to the founders of World Labyrinth Day, the events, which bring together thousands of people from different parts of the globe, help create a wave of energy aimed at world peace. The American Maze Society invites everyone to walk through the labyrinthine structures at exactly 1:00 p.m. on the first Saturday in May. Participation in the action helps create waves of peace and tranquility that slowly move from one time zone to another. The ancient Scandinavians believed that a complex system of intricate corridors would not lead a purposeful person astray. They believed that going through the labyrinth would help solve the existing problem, protect themselves from adversity and find good luck. For believers, wandering along confusing paths symbolizes the path to God. The crawling of Christians on their knees through the labyrinth painted on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France was equated to a religious pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. The ancient Chinese were convinced that evil spirits could only move in a straight line; winding paths would confuse them. Therefore, in the Celestial Empire, labyrinths were built before entering the city and entering the house. The paths along the seashore, fenced with stones, were always passed by the ancient Germans who went fishing. Today, hedge mazes are found in Australia, France, Great Britain, Italy, Hungary and other countries. Every year they attract millions of tourists who enjoy wandering along the numerous green corridors, enjoying the ideas of landscape designers. In Russia, on the Solovetsky Islands, there are stone labyrinths of the pre-Christian era, called “Babylons” and considered places of power. On the first Saturday in May, thousands of people walk along these and other tangled paths, thereby accumulating energy for the sake of world peace.

The scientific and technological revolution of the twentieth century led to the emergence and development of such applied science as robotics. In 1933, British engineers developed the first unmanned aerial vehicle intended for repeated use. UAVs, which have firmly entered our lives, are used in aerial photography for cartography, when conducting geodetic surveys, in monitoring oil pipelines and for delivering purchases. Technical devices that move through the air without a crew or passengers on board perform tasks of varying importance. In honor of UAVs, a holiday has been established - International Drone Day, which since 2016 has been celebrated on the first Saturday of May. International Drone Day was first held in 2015. The holiday appeared on the calendar of special dates thanks to Sarah and David O'Neill, the organizers of events dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles. These two British drone operators are the brains behind That Drone Show, an annual festival that educates people about how drones are used in different areas of life. They are widely in demand in the film industry, when extinguishing fires, monitoring the operation of power plants, monitoring the environment, and searching for new mineral deposits. UAVs are the future of military technology. In 2015-1016 Sarah and David O'Neill, together with like-minded people, have organized more than 180 spectacular and educational events around the world. More than 50 thousand people took part in shows, lectures and meetings. The first International Drone Day took place on March 14th. Later, it was decided to celebrate the holiday annually on the first Saturday of May. 2016 was a turning point in the use of UAVs for commercial purposes - this year the US government granted the FAA permission to issue licenses for drone flights over the country's territories. By 2021, there were nearly millions of UAVs registered in America. Other countries are not lagging behind the United States. The Israeli army became the first in the world to equip its troops with drones. China, India and Japan are the leaders in the areas of application of UAVs. In these countries, drones are used to notify the population, deliver various goods, including medicines, monitor the movement of vehicles and crowded places. Experts predict that the drone market will be worth $42.8 billion by 2025 due to the growth of their commercial and industrial applications. The advantage of using UAVs is their efficiency - the devices inspect fairly large areas, many of which are difficult to access. Drones are used to inspect skyscrapers, bridges and pipelines - objects dangerous to human life and health in the event of an emergency. The demand for drones and modern technologies is growing every year. In Russia, UAVs are actively used in construction and agriculture. The largest manufacturers of drones are the Kronstadt group of enterprises, the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, ZALA Aero (part of the Kalashnikov concern), the Special Technology Center and the Enix company. Employees of these enterprises, UAV operators and everyone who uses the achievements of robotics in their professional activities celebrate International Drone Day on the first Saturday in May.

In pedestrian crossings, inside metro stations and on city streets, melodies are often heard performed by “free artists”, devoid of pathos and living for art. Musicians sing and play their own and other people’s works on instruments to receive pleasure and gratitude from passers-by. Fans leave some money in boxes and guitar cases of performers who perform in train cars, in squares, in city alleys and alleys. Every year, professionals and amateurs give concerts on the first Saturday of May, thus celebrating Street Musician's Day. The first festive events took place in 2007 in Lithuania. After 2 years, Street Musician Day acquired the status of an international celebration. The initiator of its establishment is the actor and frontman of the Vilnius rock band Foje Andrius Mamontovas. According to established tradition, on the first weekend of May, people in different countries of the world take to the streets to listen to musicians perform. Among them you can meet real celebrities, for example, violinist Joshua Bell, who played incognito in the New York subway in 2007. His speech was part of an experiment conducted by the Washington Post. Journalists wanted to find an answer to the question: are people ready to perceive classical art in everyday life? And to understand whether there is a place in it for an encounter with the beautiful and sublime, will talent be recognized in an environment that is not conducive to this? There is nothing surprising in D. Bell playing the Stradivarius violin in the subway. Many famous singers and composers began their careers performing on the street. So, in her youth, Zemfira, still unknown to anyone, performed for passers-by in Ufa, performing songs by the groups “Aquarium” and “Nautius”. Some foreign musicians also received their first applause from hurrying passers-by. At the beginning of his career, George Michael sang songs from Freddie Mercury's repertoire in London subway passages, and Justin Bieber played guitar on the streets of Ontario. Being a popular musician, U2 lead singer Bono once went to the square of his native Dublin and performed his favorite Christmas compositions. The winner of many music awards and competitions, Sting, out of curiosity, went down to the London underground in 1993 and earned 40 pounds for a solo concert. He later repeated his experiment in Manhattan. In 2014, Steven Tyler from Aerosmith was spotted on Arbat, singing along to a Russian musician with a song from the group’s repertoire, showing that he sees nothing wrong with street performances. Over the years, Igor Butman and Dmitry Malikov, Grigory Leps and Polina Gagarina performed at Moscow metro stations as part of a charity project. In honor of Street Musician Day, the sounds of violin and flute, accordion and guitar, drum and saxophone are heard in subway passages and city streets. Passers-by sing along and dance to folklore compositions, songs from the repertoire of The Beatles, Queen and Depeche Mode. This is how Street Musician's Day is celebrated in different countries of the world.

In season 3 of House of Cards, Claire, the wife of American President Frank Underwood, plays litreball with Catherine Durant. The First Lady, a Harvard graduate, fails in a competition with the Secretary of State, a Tulane University Beer Pong champion. And although according to classical rules the glasses standing at opposite ends of the table should be filled with beer, Claire and Catherine had whiskey poured into them. The game involves throwing a ping pong ball into a mug of foamy drink that belongs to your opponent. If the ball hits the target, you need to drink alcohol. It is no coincidence that the heroines of “House of Cards” mention the names of their alma maters before the game. It is believed that beer pong was invented in the 50-60s of the twentieth century. members of the Dartmouth College fraternity. The game is very popular among American students, football fans, and visitors to pubs and bars. To celebrate the fun, Beer Pong Day was created in 2006. The holiday is celebrated annually by student fraternities and fans of the foamy drink on the first Saturday in May. Initially, the game was called "Beirut" by analogy with beer (in English - "beer") and the capital of Lebanon, which was under mortar fire during the civil war in 1975-1990. Beer Pong balls were thrown over a net, similar to table tennis. The balls were thrown using rackets into plastic cups arranged in the form of equilateral triangles connected at the vertices. The situation when players get into all the “cups” of the opposing team without losing any of their own is called a short-out. The losing participants fulfill the wishes of the winners - they drink a few pints of beer, strip naked and walk through the streets, and do other ridiculous and funny things. In the 1980s, another version of the game appeared at Lehigh University - "Throw Pong". The net was abolished, as were the rackets, and the number of glasses was reduced to two, containing strong alcohol. In case of loss, the player was obliged to drink a shot, which did not improve accuracy: after 30 minutes of the competition, the participants could barely stand on their feet. It was this type of game that White House Secretary of State Catherine Durand excelled at in her youth. Beer Pong is played not only by characters from the films “21 and Over” and “Project X”, but also by real people. Beer Pong is a favorite pastime of college fraternities, despite the fight against alcohol consumption in many American higher education institutions. Since January 2006, not far from Las Vegas the World Series of Beer Pong is held, in which teams from the USA, Canada, France, Ireland, Japan and other countries take part.The World Series of Beer Pong prize pool often reaches up to 70 thousand dollars. Beer pong is also played in Russia. Thus, since 2018, Beer Pong Jam competitions have been held in St. Petersburg. Beer and other alcohol poured into classic red glasses with a capacity of 500 ml can be replaced with water if participants wish. Dozens of teams compete in tournaments organized by the St. Petersburg Beer Pong League. The game is no less popular among residents of Moscow and other Russian cities. Therefore, beer pong fans not only participate in competitions, but also celebrate Beer Pong Day on the first Saturday in May.

On May 4, Japan celebrates a wonderful holiday - Greenery Day. Its name alone puts everyone in a positive mood, and is associated with communication with Mother Nature. Today, most Japanese people do not focus on the origin of this event, as well as its exact date, but simply enjoy it. This is not surprising, because Green Day falls right in the middle of the “golden week” of holidays in Japan. But if you look deeper into history, it turns out that the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun owe this holiday to Emperor Hirohito. His birthday fell on April 29 and was considered a national event, and accordingly was a day off. The emperor was a true admirer of nature. Despite the lack of real power in his hands, Hirohito tried to travel a lot around the country to support the residents who suffered as a result of the Second World War. It is noteworthy that before his arrival, the Japanese always organized tree planting and various spring festivals, in which the ruler personally took part, with great pleasure. And when Hirohito had time, he tried to study marine biology, flora and fauna of Japan, and even published several scientific works on this topic. After his death, as a tribute to the wise emperor, they decided to leave his birthday as a national holiday, but, nevertheless, renamed it Greenery Day. And since 2007, it was decided to move this event to May 4 (April 29 became Seva Day). On this day, many Japanese prefer to spend time with their families and friends in numerous parks, at the sea, and in the mountains. At this time, everywhere is incredibly beautiful. The tradition of planting trees is also preserved; even the emperor himself is involved in this important matter. There are also exciting spring festivals. The Japanese are confident that Greenery Day is the best way to celebrate the splendor of their amazing country.

In May, China traditionally celebrates Youth Day. The date of the holiday is May 4. It has its own history and traditions. At the end of the 19th century, the Emperor of China, under pressure from Germany, was forced to lease land on the Shandong Peninsula to her. In 2012, the monarchy in China was abolished, and Emperor Pu Yi received guarantees of immunity. The new government tried to free the country from obligations under unequal treaties. At the beginning of World War II, China declared neutrality, asking warring parties not to fight on its territory. Ignoring the request, the Japanese captured Shandong, presenting demands to the Chinese government for special rights throughout the country. China, torn apart by political upheavals, recognized them. Under pressure from world powers, the Chinese broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. In 1919, after the end of World War II, representatives of the countries that defeated Germany gathered in Paris. The further structure of the world was being decided. The Chinese hoped that their territory would be returned to them and relieved of all obligations, but the victorious countries did not do this. This injustice caused a wave of indignation. A student demonstration took place in Beijing on May 4. Thousands of workers in Shanghai went on strike and were supported by traders. The government was looking for a way out of the political crisis: it fired several ministers associated with Japan and refused to sign a peace treaty. In 1922, Japan returned the captured lands to China, but retained its special rights in these territories. For the first time, Youth Day began to be celebrated on May 4 in the province of Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia. This was the decision of local youth organizations, which found support from the Kuomintang (the ruling party of China at that time). Then the holiday began to be celebrated: - May 4 (in the territory controlled by the Communists), - March 29 (where the Kuomintang was in charge). In 1949, after the unification of China, May 4 became the official date of the holiday. On this day, the Chinese work, but on a reduced schedule. The holiday is celebrated with rallies, thematic lectures, articles in periodicals, and performances by creative groups. This day is a reminder to the Chinese that only a strong country can protect its interests.

International holidays - International Firefighters Day

The folding umbrella was invented more than three centuries ago. The umbrella itself has a history of more than a thousand years. In Burma, China, and Siam, only representatives of the ruling classes could wear this accessory. The umbrella protected from the sun's rays. White skin without a tan was considered a sign of belonging to the aristocracy. Commoners were prohibited from carrying umbrellas. In addition, the accessory was considered a luxury item: it was decorated with embroidered patterns and decor made of precious stones. Today, an umbrella reliably protects people from precipitation at any time of the year. The birthplace of umbrellas is China. The first accessories appeared in XI BC. Somewhat later, the fashion for umbrellas spread to Tibet and India. Soon all their advantages were appreciated by the aristocracy of Ancient Greece and Rome. The first umbrellas were bulky, weighing about 2 kg, about 1.5 m long. It was inconvenient to carry such a structure, so it was entrusted to a servant who constantly followed the master. On May 4, 1715, the French entrepreneur Marius invented a new, compact model of an umbrella, with an awning made of thick fabric. Parisians liked the new umbrellas, but they didn't start using them as protection from the rain until 1750. In the 19th century, rubberized waterproof fabric was used to make awnings. The first telescopic models, which could easily fit into a handbag, appeared in the 20th century. Today's range of umbrellas is truly huge. These are asymmetrical, transparent models, as well as raincoat umbrellas, hat umbrellas, etc. On May 4, television and radio channels always mention this unusual holiday, tell you how to choose the right umbrella model, how to properly care for the accessory so that it retains its attractive appearance, color and shape longer. On this day, designers demonstrate collections of new umbrellas: from classic designs to the most fantastic models. There are many folk signs associated with the popular accessory. Some of them have a positive connotation, others – on the contrary: • finding an umbrella on the street - means illness; • putting an umbrella on the bed - means lack of money; • covering yourself with the same umbrella with another person - means big expenses; • receiving an accessory as a gift means bad luck. A few coins given to the donor will help you avoid trouble; • the umbrella is out of order - expect failures in business. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, the choice of color of the accessory is of great importance: • green - promotes happiness in the family and the speedy choice of a loved one; • red - enhances negative character traits; • orange – serves as a bait for dangerous people, scammers; • blue – helps strengthen the immune system. The risk of catching a seasonal cold is reduced; • white - attracts gossip and rumors; • multi-colored - improves mood in rainy weather. A few facts that will increase your knowledge about the everyday accessory. 1. The word “umbrella” is borrowed from the Dutch language. Zonnedek is a ship canopy that serves as protection from the sun. 2. There are 2 types of umbrella models: “cane” and products that fold 2-5 times. 3. In France, accessories that protect from the sun are called “parasols”, and “paraples” from rain. 4. Ancient Chinese umbrellas were so large that the awning was equipped with additional pockets for storing writing, smoking utensils and other necessary small items. 5. The diameter of the largest umbrella is 2.4 m. It was made in Sweden and allows 16 people to shelter from the rain at the same time. An interesting trick with umbrellas was invented in Portugal. Installations of colorful products suspended over the streets in the city center protected people from the scorching sun. Over time, “umbrella skies” appeared in other cities around the world. Several books for those who love to read. The cute “umbrella” selection is universal: these books appeal to adults and children. G.H. Andersen "Ole-Lukoje". A tale of amazing beauty and kindness about a wizard who appears to children in their dreams. If the child has behaved well, an exciting journey awaits him, during which he can attend the wedding of mice, correct annoying mistakes in the copybook, see the old nanny or visit the princess. And evil children are not allowed to dream, since the wizard opens a black umbrella over them. P. Travers "Mary Poppins". The story of an unusual nanny working in the most ordinary Banks family. Strict and kind at the same time, Mary reveals to children the world of miracles hidden in the most ordinary things. And Jane and Michael Banks' nanny can fly on an umbrella! G. Sapgir “My friend Umbrella”. The little pig decided to get an umbrella and couldn’t think of anything better than to use the ears of his friend the elephant for this. The baby elephant didn't seem to like it too much. Will the pig be able to realize his mistake and regain his friendship? V. Oseeva “The Magic Word”. The story of the boy Pavlik, who met a strange old man. The gray-haired sage drew mysterious signs on the sand with an umbrella, which attracted the boy’s attention. Just one word spoken by the old man helped Pavlik make peace with his grandmother, sister and brother.

Modern pharmaceuticals are gradually abandoning testing of medications on animals. You can increasingly see the words “Not tested on animals” on cosmetic products. The attitude of society towards our smaller brothers changes from year to year: people come out with petitions against the euthanization of stray animals, condemn dog fights and other bloody spectacles. In 2005, the United Poultry Industry of the United States decided to establish International Respect for Chickens Day. The celebrations, which take place annually on May 4, are aimed against the cruelty of chickens, the use of chickens in scientific experiments and cockfighting. Human neglect of these domestic birds, the number of which on the planet exceeds 25 billion individuals, is in no way justified. Scientists say that the expression “dumb as a chicken” is not true. In fact, the intelligence of these birds is very developed. Chickens can count, remember people’s faces, feel empathy for their relatives, think through the consequences of actions, choosing the most profitable option from several possible ones. In stressful situations, roosters and hens are able to use their mental potential to a much greater extent than humans. The birds were domesticated about 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia, and 2,000-3,000 years later they appeared in India and China. Initially, people used chickens for religious ceremonies and bird fights, later starting to eat meat and eggs. Commercial breeding of roosters and hens began in the 1920s. Today, the leaders in this area are the USA, China and Japan. Poultry farming, one of the most developed branches of agriculture, employs several million people who are responsible for providing the planet's population with products of animal origin. The idea for International Chicken Day came from the American actor, screenwriter and Le Show host Harry Shearer. He established the celebration in 2000, choosing May 14 as the date of celebration. According to Shearer, the coincidence of International Respect for Chickens Day with Mother's Day was to draw attention to chickens as the embodiment of the ideal of motherhood. The American organization United Poultry Concerns decided to draw attention to the unsatisfactory living conditions of laying hens on farms and in factory incubators by moving the holiday to May 4th. International Chicken Day is actively supported by animal activists who organize pickets and demonstrations, hand out leaflets and brochures with stories about the benefits of vegetarianism. The holiday encourages people to reconsider their relationship with poultry, which has the right to live without pain and suffering in narrow cages with trimmed beaks. Therefore, the motto of International Respect for Chickens Day is a statement full of humanism and love for birds: “Chickens are not food. Chickens are friends.”

Funny holidays - Dog Happiness Day

Funny holidays - Noodle Soup Lovers Day

Funny Holidays - World Give Day

Thailand Holidays - Coronation Day (Wan Chattra Mongkhon)

Proklov Day is celebrated on May 4 (April 21, old style) according to the folk calendar. The name of the day was received in honor of the holy martyr Proculus of Puteoli, revered among Orthodox Christians on this date. Proculus lived on the territory of modern Italy in the 3rd-4th century and preached Christianity. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Proculus was subjected to severe persecution from the pagans. Along with him, the clergyman Iannuarius, the deacons Faustus and Sossius, the church reader Disiderius, and the believers Akution and Eutyches suffered. For their Christian faith, the unfortunates were thrown to be torn to pieces in a cage with wild animals, but the animals did not touch them. Then the pagans cut off the heads of the martyrs, but secret Christians took the bodies of the saints to different cities in Italy and buried them with respect. For the Slavic people, the name Proculus (Proclus) was closest of all. And in terms of its consonance, it resembled the word “curse”, because the day itself was dedicated to the curse of evil spirits. The people believed that all troubles and misfortunes came from evil spirits and evil spirits. That is why they tried to protect themselves, family, land and livestock on this day with the help of such curses. It was believed that all evil spirits hide in the west, where the sun sets. Even in temples, the main entrance was made on the western side, so that believers entered the sanctuary from the darkness (west) into the light. That is why the curse ceremony was carried out looking to the west. Trying to drive away the evil spirits, the residents condemned her in every possible way, scolded and scolded her, and also wished her harm. On Proklov Day, peasants worked little. Most of the day was devoted to rituals against the evil eye and protective spells. In this way, residents protected their families from diseases, fields and gardens from poor harvests, and livestock from death. The day of Proclus was also called Lyalnik. It was associated with celebrating the wonderful spring season. The apples were just beginning to bloom, and around them the girls performed ritual round dances, games and chants. Then they chose the most beautiful girl, dressed her in a flower wreath and danced around her. Unmarried girls told their secrets to the blossoming apple tree, hoping that when the apple fruits ripened and the time for weddings came, grooms would come to woo them. Signs on Proklov Day indicated to the people about the future. If the bird cherry blossomed on this day, then they were preparing for the dry summer season. But the abundance of inflorescences on the bird cherry tree meant a rainy summer. Stormy weather on Prokla foreshadowed a bountiful harvest.

Varuthini Ekadashi in India

Orthodox holidays on May 4:

On May 4, the Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Maximian, Patriarch of Constantinople. Maximian lived in the 5th century in the luxurious Byzantine Empire, where the Christian religion became dominant for several centuries. But, despite the greatness of Orthodoxy, there was no unity in the Eastern Church, and many interpretations gave rise to false heretical movements. It was Patriarch Maximian who managed to unite the Christian churches of the Eastern Empire under a single patriarchate. The saint was born into a noble, wealthy family, which provided him with an excellent education and a comfortable existence. But for the future patriarch, luxury and wealth did not matter; he was content with a modest existence, and donated family funds to tombs for the burial of saints and pious Christians. The purity of Maximian’s thoughts was noticed by the rulers of the Church of Constantinople; he was invited to take the rank of presbyter, and soon he was offered to take the patriarchal throne. The rise of Maximian came at a time of troubles and coincided with the spread of the Nestorian heresy among Orthodox Christians. The culprit of desecration of the faith, Archbishop Nestorius, was excommunicated by a general meeting of the clergy at a council in the city of Ephesus. But some Eastern churches expressed disagreement over the anathema of Nestorius and did not accept Maximian as the new Patriarch of Constantinople. After several months of negotiations, thanks to prolonged diplomacy and God's help, all the Eastern churches were united, recognizing Maximian as their common head. The Patriarch of Constantinople introduced himself to the Lord on Maundy Thursday, having lived a long pious life full of godly deeds. In folk tradition, May 4 was a special day, nicknamed Lyalnik. In Russian villages, young girls gathered around a blossoming apple tree and, singing songs, danced around the tree. The ritual was intended to cherish and preserve good weather. At the same time, there was a belief that the night of May 4 was the time of witches. They could make the grass poisonous and harm pets. It was necessary to look after the cattle especially carefully. It was also recommended to look closely at natural phenomena that could predict the weather for the future: - blooming bird cherry indicated a hot, dry summer, but its too abundant flowering indicated heavy summer rains; - the first spring thunder promised a bountiful grain harvest; - ants could also predict a rich harvest of wheat if by May 4 they managed to clean up the anthill and cleanse themselves; - but the light rain that began that day threatened to drag on for several days.

On the eve of Easter, Orthodox believers face the last difficult test - Holy Week. The final week of Lent, a period of repentance, renunciation of gluttony, evil thoughts and deeds, is spent in memories of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ - his torment and suffering. Each day of the week is called Great, because... Divine services in cathedrals and temples at this time are particularly pomp and beauty. The rituals and reading of prayers on the sixth day of Holy Week are dedicated to the burial of the body of Christ. The Gospel tells that the dead body of the crucified Savior was washed and wrapped in a shroud by Joseph of Arimathea, after which he anointed it with incense and buried it in a cave. Jesus, according to the Holy Scriptures, after death descended into hell and freed the souls of the languishing righteous. Believers spend Holy Saturday meditating and reading the New Testament and making final preparations for Easter. On this day, a miracle occurs in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - the descent of the Holy Fire. The wait for divine light takes different times every year - from 10 minutes to several hours. To see this miracle, the first mention of which is found in written sources of the 4th century, thousands of pilgrims come to Jerusalem from all over the world. The first minutes after the phenomenon, the flame has a temperature of 40°C and does not burn - you can hold it in your hands and even symbolically wash your face. Clergy and believers deliver lamps with fire to different countries of the world, incl. and to Russia. Great Lent is a time of spiritual wandering and search for an Orthodox person who thinks not about his bodily shell, but about the salvation of the soul. Therefore, in addition to food restrictions, throughout Holy Week people refrain from swearing and foul language, do not attend entertainment events, do not hold weddings and do not celebrate birthdays. The date of celebration of Great Saturday, which is also often called Silent Saturday, is different every year, because... depends on the arrival of Easter. On this day it is forbidden to make noise and have fun, borrow money, clean the house and work. On Holy Saturday, Christians refuse any food in favor of water. If this abstinence is beyond the capabilities of an Orthodox person, the church allows the consumption of lean bread or food without oil. On the sixth day of Holy Week, priests dressed in white robes consecrate Easter cakes, Thursday salt and eggs, sprinkling them with holy water. After the liturgy, the New Testament "Acts of the Holy Apostles" is read. A religious procession takes place around the temples to the chant of “Holy God.” In the evening, the main service begins, and at midnight Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter.

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