The unsurpassed Faina Ranevskaya argued: “To remain thin, a woman needs to eat in front of a mirror and naked.” The actress cannot be denied wisdom: no diet will solve the problem of excess weight without willpower and a critical approach to assessing one’s own appearance. Ballerina Maya Plisetskaya danced on stage until she was 70 years old. This was facilitated, in addition to talent and hard work, by good physical shape: with a height of 167 cm, she weighed no more than 58 kg. To questions about the diet she follows, Plisetskaya answered: “Don’t eat! A more effective way has not yet been invented.” However, strict dietary restrictions do not always lead to the desired result. In order to be slim, it is enough to lead a healthy lifestyle - do not overeat, move a lot and play sports. If a woman has extra pounds, this should not become a reason for despondency and restricting herself in food. This is the opinion of the Englishwoman Mary Evans Young, who defeated anorexia and founded International Day Against Diet in 1992. On her initiative, the holiday is celebrated annually on May 6. M.E. Young is convinced that an eating disorder is too high a price to pay for the desire to meet the beauty standards imposed by the fashion industry. For the first time, the celebration was held in Hyde Park with the participation of 12 women aged from 21 to 76 years. A year later, the celebrations became widespread: Young’s initiative was supported by feminist organizations from the USA, Great Britain, India, Canada, Israel, Denmark, Brazil, Sweden and other countries. The idea of ​​self-acceptance and loving your body has resonated with millions of women around the world who are participating in International No Diet Day. In 1992, the events took place on May 5, but due to the coincidence with the Mexican celebration Cinco de Mayo, it was decided to postpone the celebration. It began to be celebrated a day later - May 6. The emblem of the celebration is a light blue ribbon. The color of sky blue is considered a symbol of nobility, honor and commitment to high ideals. This is in tune with the idea of ​​the holiday, conceived as a movement against discrimination against people who are overweight and have a non-standard figure. Therefore, the National Organization of Women, one of the popularizers of No Diet Day, calls on representatives of the fashion world to feature women with different hip and waist measurements in glossy magazines and in fashion shows. An example of the illusory nature of imposed standards is the Barbie doll. Her shape and figure have long been considered the ideal of female beauty. However, according to scientists, the anatomical structure of Barbie has nothing to do with reality. In life, a girl with the proportions of a doll’s body would have to walk on all fours and use the help of strangers due to the inability to lift and hold in her hands any thing, even not a very heavy one. International No Diet Day, on the one hand, is a celebration of body positivity, on the other, a sad occasion for remembering the victims of weight loss surgery and eating disorders. In a number of countries, such as Australia, the holiday has become part of a campaign promoting healthy eating. International Anti-Diet Day has great social significance because... encourages women to change their lifestyle and accept themselves with any weight and body type.

The Slavic holiday Dazhdbog Day or the Meeting of Spring is usually celebrated on May 6th. Another name for the ancient pagan celebration is Great Ovsen. The cult figure of the celebration is the supreme deity in Slavic “myth-making”. Dazhdbog literally translates as “giver of blessings.” In the divine pantheon, he is “responsible” for fertility, the vital energy of the sun and the forces of nature. The ancestor of the Slavs and Zhiva was destined for the noblest mission of restoring the earth and vegetation after the global flood. Together they accomplished this good cause. The goddess Lada gave the beautiful young man her daughter Zhiva as his wife. In their marriage they had a son, Arius. A sacred ritual for a young family was the annual awakening of the earth from severe cold and its transformation, filled with life, long-awaited warmth and joy. There is a legend that it was on May 6 that Veles “stole” cloud-cows from Perun, which he hid in a safe “shelter” - in a gorge in the Caucasus Mountains. To save life on earth, Dazhdbog rushed to rescue the clouds from captivity. He managed to win and return the source of life. It’s not for nothing that they say, Dazhdbog brought spring to the threshold. Dazhdbog is portrayed as a stately and unusually handsome man. He has long hair of a sunny golden color and bottomless clear blue eyes, an open look and an elegant demeanor. In ancient times, he was represented as a skilled horseman who drove a luxurious chariot. She is carried across the sky of unprecedented beauty by snow-white horses with fiery manes and iridescent golden wings. Every morning Dazhdbog goes out on a boat into the sea and crosses it. The boat is harnessed to ducks, geese and swans. In the evening, the “watercraft” under the control of Dazhdbog returns back. Therefore, in ancient times, talismanic amulets in the form of a duck with a horse’s head were popular. The supreme deity is associated with the onset of happy and prosperous moments. He administers natural justice, regulates the balance of power, appeals to morality and truthfulness. Dazhdbog patronizes wedding rituals: he personally meets the groom at dawn on the day of marriage. The omnipresent Dazhbog also announces the “start” of summer agricultural work. The main symbol of the holiday is the nightingale. It is generally accepted that Dazhdbog releases the nightingale into the world so that he can proclaim the beginning of the summer period with his wonderful singing. Allegedly, with one wing the nightingale covers the cold and winter, and with the other it reveals blooming spring and warmth. The cuckoo is no less revered. There is a belief that Zhiva’s wife transforms into a cuckoo and flies to visit the lucky few. May 6 is also a day of remembrance of a fateful event, when Dazhdbog abandoned the love of Marena, who personifies death, in favor of the beautiful Zhiva, who bestows joy and fertility. The doors of Vedic temples are warmly open to guests. Traditional festivities - cheerful round dances around fires, melodious chants in honor of the divine married couple. Early in the morning, it is customary to drive livestock out to pasture so that they can eat the grass that still has dew on it. It has miraculous powers and helps protect animals from dangers, robbers and terrible diseases. According to signs, good weather on this day indicates that summer will be early. A cloudy day “speaks” that cloudy weather will last for a long time.

The holiday of Yarila Veshny falls on the 23rd bloom (April) according to the old style, according to the new style - on May 6. Yarilo Veshny is the patron saint of fields and animals. On this day he fertilized the Earth, after which the grass began to grow vigorously. According to Slavic beliefs, Yarilo rode around his lands on a white horse, met wolves in the forests, and gave them instructions for the coming year. On this day, priests and witches performed rituals for a good harvest, healthy livestock, and healing from diseases. They took water from several sources, poured it into a mortar with a sieve, and began to pound it. After this, the witch drew mysterious signs on the water with a pitchfork. The enchanted water was distributed to everyone and was considered healing. After the adoption of Christianity, the image of Yarila was transformed into the image of Yegor the Brave, Yuri Veshny. And this pagan holiday became the day of remembrance of St. George the Victorious. In the morning, the men went to the field and rolled in the morning dew, acquiring all the strength and power of Yarila. They went into the forest and fed the wolves, because they are assistants to the god of fertility. Sick children were lightly struck with willow branches for healing. Women could also go to meet the sun in the grove to make wishes and get rid of diseases. They were also allowed to perform the ritual of bathing in dew, but separately from men. It is important that during these actions the purity of thoughts is maintained, only then will everything that was dreamed come true. It was customary to clean the house, getting rid of everything unnecessary. They cleansed not only the home, but also thoughts and desires. If women were given flowers on Lelnik, then on Yarila Veshniy men were presented with weapons as a sign that they were protectors of the family and the Slavic clan. On this day, the cattle were taken out to pasture for the first time. At the same time, they tapped her back with willow branches so that she would be healthy and find her way home. They chose a shepherd, treated him to scrambled eggs and cajoled him in every possible way so that he would take good care of the cattle. Plowing began on Yarila Veshniy, and in the evening games were held on the same field.

Holidays of Russia - Day of the coat of arms and flag of Moscow

Syria Martyrs' Day

Holidays of Turkey - Spring Festival "Hederlez" (Hidrellez)

Martyrs' Day in Lebanon

On May 6 (April 23 according to the old calendar style), people celebrate Yuri Veshny, also called Yegoryev's Day. The name of the day is taken from the church date of the veneration of St. George the Victorious, who lived in the 3rd-4th century and died for Christianity. George grew up in a family of righteous Christians in the Lebanese city of Beirut and received a good education. Having a strong physique, courage and strength, the young man entered military service, and soon became the favorite of the ruler Diocletian. Having learned about the cruel persecution of Christians, George distributed his property to the poor and declared his faith to the ruler. Forcing the saint to renounce Christianity, on the orders of Diocletian he was subjected to terrible torture, and subsequently his head was cut off. People called George Yuri or Yegor Veshny. Veshny means spring. A fertile period was approaching for cultivating the land and sowing grain. After sowing the fields, a clergyman was invited to read prayers for successful seedlings and a bountiful harvest. Then the soil was sprinkled with blessed water. It was believed that Yuri Veshny comes with the keys, releasing healing dew. Therefore, residents went out into the street in the morning, took off their bast shoes and stood with their bare feet on the grass with dew. Children were allowed to lie in the grass. The people believed that such a ritual improved health. On Yuri Veshny, the peasants took their livestock out to dew, but kept a close eye on them so that ill-wishers would not cause damage through the dew. For livestock, the day was considered a holiday. He was fed well, cleaned and handed over to the shepherd for his first grazing. Shepherds also received congratulations and were given gifts (money or food) so that they would take good care of the livestock. On this day it was forbidden to deal with wool. The spinners didn't even look in her direction. Residents believed that touching it on Yegoryev's day foreshadowed the death of sheep from the attack of wild animals. That is why they prayed to Saint George for the safety of the livestock. If the days were fine on Yuri Veshny, then summer was expected to arrive soon. Rainy weather promised an abundance of grass in the fields. The appearance of mosquitoes meant the onset of warm weather. A sunny morning without wind was observed to indicate an early harvest; a cloudy morning, but changing to a sunny day, predicted a late harvest.

Zham en-Nessim is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful and long-awaited holidays in Egypt. Translated into Russian, this unpronounceable word means “the aroma of the west wind” or “the aroma of flowers.” This day symbolizes the beginning of work in agriculture and the arrival of spring. It is celebrated by residents throughout the country on the first Monday after the end of Coptic Easter. This holiday is one of the oldest on the planet and has a rather interesting history. Around 2700 BC. e. During the reign of the pharaohs, Jam en-Nessim was celebrated in honor of the sun god named Amun. The event coincided with the peak season of the Nile River, before work on agricultural land. At that time, people made sacrifices to the spirits, giving them fish and vegetables, and appeased the gods in the hope of a rich harvest. The Egyptians were able to carry this custom with minimal amendments through the centuries. Even in the notes of Plutarch, there is evidence confirming that at the arrival of spring, the ancestors gave various dishes as gifts to the spirits, including fish, green onions, etc. The day coincided with the beginning of the spring equinox. During the Christian period, Jam en-Nessim was combined with Easter. And with the beginning of Islam, it was moved to the Monday following Easter. Officially, “Floral Aroma” is a day off. This date has nothing to do with one religion or another. Regardless of religion, residents of the state always celebrate it, observing ancient traditions. For example, it is best to spend this day in nature. Egyptians are confident that clean air can cure any disease and give strength for the whole year. That is why adults and children go to country picnics, to the zoo, beaches and parks. Tourists from all over the world join them with interest. At the time of the celebration of Jam en-Nessim, people seem to join nature awakening after a long winter, welcoming the arrival of the new season with it. But still, the most important moment in the holiday is, of course, the table. As a rule, the feast ends very quickly and obeys certain principles. First of all, Egyptians are not used to having long meals: they eat quite quickly, without paying much attention to the rules of etiquette and the use of cutlery. Also, during the feast they do not drink alcoholic beverages, much less make toasts. If you are really thirsty, you can pour a glass of water. Preparatory activities for the celebration begin long ago, because it takes several months to properly prepare a traditional dish (fesikh). This culinary masterpiece consists of salted mullet with herbs and beans, which begin to be marinated just a few months in advance. As you know, in Egypt, fish symbolizes a rich harvest and family wealth. The ancient recipe is quite complex. Local residents highly respect ancient traditions, without revealing their secrets to strangers. Any mistake can cause severe food poisoning, which often happens on holidays. Nowadays, fesikh is often replaced with salted tuna, sardine or mackerel. In addition, if you stick to the traditional recipe, the finished dish has a rather specific aroma that not everyone will like. A mandatory attribute of the table is green onions. Residents of Egypt are convinced that it will help drive out evil spirits. According to an ancient legend, this vegetable crop was able to cure one of the pharaohs, dearly revered in the country. There are also decorated eggs on the table. In earlier times, they were used to decorate not only meals, but also local temples. The Egyptians considered eggs to be a symbol of rebirth and the beginning of a new life path. In addition, a lot of plant foods are served on the table.

Orthodox holidays on May 6:

St. George the Victorious is considered the patron saint of the military. They pray to him with a request to help in the work begun, to protect him from enemies or to support him in battle for victory. On icons, George is often depicted as a young man on a white horse, holding a spear in his hands and killing a snake. The production is related to the life of a wrestler. Today the image is interpreted as a victory over Satan.

Memorial Day of the Holy Martyr Alexandra of Rome

The Holy Orthodox Church celebrates several holiday dates in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. On April 22, they celebrate the second discovery of the ancient Moscow list, which occurred in 2012 when the Russian Museum donated the icon to the Orthodox Church. There is no exact information about the origin of the Iveron image; according to one of the legends, the author was the Evangelist Luke, who painted the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus from life. Another legend mentions the times of iconoclasm in the Byzantine Empire, when many holy relics were mercilessly destroyed. The owner of the miraculous icon was a pious widow from the city of Nicaea. One day, warriors burst into her place demanding that she give them the shrine. For a long time the widow begged her husbands not to take the wonderful image, but no one listened to her words. One of the warriors jabbed a spear into the icon, causing blood to appear on the boards. In memory of this phenomenon, two types of painting of the image of the Virgin Mary were subsequently established, with a bleeding wound on the right cheek and without traces of injury. The inexplicable phenomenon frightened the husbands, and they left, leaving the image to its owner. The woman immediately hastened to hide the shrine and placed it in the waters of the sea. The icon, having stood on the water, floated like a ship, and many years later the monks of Athos saw it, placed in a pillar of fire walking on the sea. The monks did not know how to deal with the miraculous phenomenon until the Mother of God appeared to Elder Gabriel in a dream with a request to deliver her image to the monastery. The monk stepped into the waters of the sea and realized that he was not drowning, when he walked across land to a pillar of fire, took an icon from it and returned to the shore without even getting his clothes wet. The monastic brethren, happy with the discovery of the holy image, intended to place it in the most honorable place in the church, but the icon itself chose its place. Every night she moved to the gates of the monastery, and none of the monks could explain how this happened. The monks returned it back, believing that the relic should have a proper place, but soon the Mother of God again appeared to the sleeping Gabriel and reassured the monks, saying that she herself wanted to be their protector. And today, a small chapel at the gates of the Iverskaya monastery preserves the miraculous image of the “Goalkeeper,” which has protected the monastery for many centuries. The glory of the holy image was also known in Rus'; during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, a copy of the Iveron Mother of God was made. The priest Iamblichus Romanov was blessed for the great work, the work was accompanied by the prayers of the monks, the new cypress boards were soaked in water, imbued with the holiness of the Iveron image of the “Goalkeeper”. During the patriarchate of Nikon, other copies of the Iveron Icon were brought to Russia, made by the monks of the Athos monastery, who later became famous for their miraculous deeds.

The Easter holiday among Orthodox believers lasts a whole week, which is called Bright Week. Each year it falls on different dates in April and May, starting immediately after the Resurrection of Christ and ending on Krasnaya Gorka. Divine services in churches in honor of the holiday are held with the Royal Doors open, joyful church chants and bells are constantly heard. All believers are allowed to call them at any time of the day for seven days. Baptisms, weddings and funeral services are not held on Bright Week. After the liturgy, a procession of the cross takes place around the temple. Bright Week is dedicated to doing good deeds - helping others, which includes giving alms to the poor and needy. It was believed that these days the Lord and the apostles wander the earth under the guise of beggars, so donations take on a special meaning. Orthodox Christians try to give up hard work, which is not associated with celebration and fun, and, if possible, perform simple household chores. Throughout Bright Week, also called Easter, the greeting “Christ is Risen!” is heard. The origins of such a long celebration lie in the Bible and religious canons. So, according to the Old Testament, God needed 7 days to create the world and man. Bright Week passes “as one day,” which symbolizes eternal salvation. Each day of Easter week is unique and, according to folk traditions, has a name and rules of celebration. In honor of the holiday, our ancestors went on this day to visit relatives and friends with cottage cheese Easter cakes, Easter cakes on dough with candied fruits and raisins, as well as colored eggs. This promised the owners of the house good luck and prosperity throughout the year until next Easter. On this day, girls gave colored eggs to the boys, and they doused them with water to make their lovers even more beautiful and healthy. Each religious procession around the temple after the service ends with the sprinkling of the believers. On Wet Monday, young and old alike poured themselves at wells and springs to improve their health and wash away illness. In honor of the holiday, latecomers were doused with cold water during morning prayer, as it was believed that absence from church for the liturgy could bring trouble to the family. Women went to visit with Easter cakes and eggs, while men and children stayed at home to farm. On Tuesday, like other days, it is forbidden to swear, overeat and drink a lot of alcohol. Throughout Bright Week, it is customary to read the troparion, kontakion and ipaka of the Hours of Easter. Visiting cemeteries and commemorating the dead is not encouraged. On this day, various fun activities were arranged, swinging on a swing, which, according to popular belief, was supposed to remove all negativity from a person. The girls danced in circles and sang songs. Wednesday was also called "Gradova". It was believed that hard work done on this day could cause hail and destroy the harvest. On Bright Wednesday, candles were placed in churches to protect crops from this natural phenomenon. On this day, the ban on remembering the dead was lifted, but this had to be done without grief, with light sadness. To visit the souls of the dead, doors were opened wide and towels hung on the windows. According to tradition, they went to cemeteries and left Easter eggs and colored eggs there on the graves. The ancient Slavs called Thursday “Navsky” because of the symbolic arrival of the departed from the world of Navi. Bridal viewings were held in the villages. The girls dressed up in their best clothes, the guys put on beautiful shirts. In addition to the shows, spring calls were traditionally held. The girls climbed the hills and hills and invited the warm sun, which would give a good harvest. On this day, it is customary to make peace and forgive offenders. On Bright Friday, the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” is venerated, so the church illuminates the believers with water and sprinkles the gardens and orchards with it. Relatives come to the homes of recently married couples. The young hostess sets the table and generously treats the guests. On Bright Friday, girls wash their faces with ice water to preserve their beauty. On this day, after the service, believers are given special bread with the image of a cross - artos. Pieces of it are kept at home near the icons until next Easter. Artos is given little by little to a sick person for healing. On the evening of Bright Saturday, the Royal Doors in the temple are closed. On this joyful and festive day, any work is postponed, people take to the streets and take part in noisy festivities. The ancient Slavs completed all rituals dedicated to the arrival of spring. On the first Sunday after Easter, Thomas met with the resurrected Jesus, hence the name of this day according to Christian traditions.