UN Holidays - International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (International Day of Living Together in Peace)

The sun's rays play an important role in the functioning of all life on Earth. They affect crop yields, climate and the change of seasons, the occurrence of natural phenomena, the production of vitamin D necessary to maintain immunity, and a person’s mental balance. The study of light and its capabilities led to the creation and use of the laser beam on May 16, 1960. Long before this invention, engineer Theodore Maiman began using UV lamps in medicine. The principle of their action is also based on the ability of light, which is a natural antiseptic, to destroy pathogenic bacteria. The discovery of spectral analysis helped astronomers understand what chemical elements a star consists of and at what distance from the Earth it is located. The invention of high-speed Internet is also directly related to the study of the properties of light. The electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun forms the most important properties of the atmosphere of our planet and its ecology. Therefore, on May 16, the day of the invention of the laser, according to a UNESCO resolution, the International Day of Light is celebrated. For the first time, public organizations, research institutes, societies and unions, educational institutions of different countries celebrated the International Day of Light in 2017. Somewhat earlier, in 2015, the International Year of Light was held at the initiative of UNESCO. The opening ceremony took place at the organization's headquarters in Paris. The festival was attended by 147 countries around the world, which throughout the year held thousands of events dedicated to light and its role in the development of culture, science, medicine and other branches of human activity. The Sustainable Development Program, approved by the UN in 2015, is aimed at reducing the consumption of natural resources and actively using renewable energy sources. These include light that powers solar panels - suppliers of electricity that do not harm the environment. That is why the holiday of May 16 is given such great importance. In honor of him, various events are held to raise people's awareness about the role of sunlight in our lives, the development of science, agriculture and other areas of human activity. The postulates of Christianity and religious figures are in solidarity with scientists on this issue. It is known that on the first day of the creation of the world, not only the heavens and the Earth were created. “And God said, Let there be light. And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good, and God separated the light from the darkness,” the Bible says. Religious cosmogony does not contradict modern science - the history of the creation of the world fits into existing scientific theories. One of them says that light is the source of life on Earth. Holding events on May 16 is important for creating contacts and cooperation between leaders of the lighting industry, economists, scientists, artists, public organizations and ordinary citizens from all over the world. Therefore, every year the number of participants in celebrations dedicated to the International Day of Light increases.

Toadies are flattering and obsequious people who try to achieve the favor of a superior person through their behavior. They, as a rule, fawn not just like that, but for the sake of obtaining benefits. Henchmen show obsequiousness to their superiors for the sake of a high salary or promotion on the career ladder. Ladies' men flatter and sing praises to women in order to gain their trust and win their favor. In honor of sycophants of all stripes, a funny Feast of Slickers was invented, which is celebrated on May 16th. The celebration appeared in the 2000s. in USA. People use it as a reason to show attention to each other in a humorous manner, playing on the meaning of the word “suck up.” According to established tradition, Americans give sweets in the form of “lizuns” - lollipops. In honor of the holiday, cards, decorations and household items are exchanged, with the image or shape similar to Chupa Chups. Frank sycophancy and lack of self-respect for the sake of obtaining approval from superiors was ridiculed by V. Mayakovsky in his 1928 poem “Slicker.” The poet describes the main character, a certain Pyotr Ivanovich Boldashkin, who tirelessly praises the management, trying to please everyone. Mayakovsky reveals the secret of the success of sucking up: The poet castigates vices, indignant at the lack of moral principles of behavior among sycophants. It’s hard to disagree with him, but the founders of the funny celebration decided to approach the topic of sycophancy and outright flattery for selfish reasons with humor. The holiday of sneaking is a good reason to joke with friends and relatives who are characterized by self-irony. So, in honor of an unusual celebration, you can give your boss a “Best Boss in the World” cup, or a colleague at work - a medal from a souvenir shop with an engraving “To a wonderful person - wonderful moments!” The sneak-up holiday is an ideal time to build relationships with relatives and lovers. So, the father can be presented with a certificate of commendation, in which he is awarded the title “The Best Dad,” and the wife can be presented with a gold cup with the inscription “Mistress of my heart.” Similar compliments accompany the presentation of symbolic gifts to friends and acquaintances. On May 16, they watch films, most often comedies, the characters of which are sycophants and flatterers. Being a suck-up is a manifestation of hypocrisy and prudence, a constant desire to please those on whom your well-being and success in society depend. However, not all people who from the outside look like ladies' men and henchmen of the authorities are actually such. Diplomacy with respect for the boundaries of others and taking into account their needs and outright sycophancy are two different things. Therefore, in honor of the holiday, it is appropriate to share the secrets of building relationships with older family members, the opposite sex or management that led to success.

Esotericists are convinced that the essences of the infernal world are invisibly present in people's lives. The appearance of some of them, for example ghosts in ancient castles and estates, strikes terror into the inhabitants and guests of the estates. A young ghost named Casper and other friendly creatures who have become cartoon characters, on the contrary, evoke sympathy and gratitude, because... sometimes they help people. Carlson from the book by Astrid Lindgren, due to his resourcefulness and wit, drives away the thieves who climbed into the attic of the house. A fairy-tale hero with a motor on his back pretends to be a ghost, causing panic and horror among robbers. The adventures of a ghost from a 16th-century castle located in Tennessee formed the basis of the plot of a grotesque comic fairy tale written by Oscar Wilde in 1887. Several films and musicals were made based on the English writer’s work “The Canterville Ghost”. In them, the ghost of Sir Simon and other inhabitants of the castle dance and sing merrily. In the 1990 film Ghost, Demi Moore's character dances with her dead lover, played by Wig Swayze. According to one version, a scene from a mystical melodrama with elements of comedy became the reason for the appearance of an unusual holiday. May 16th is the romantic and mysterious Ghost Dance Day. In honor of the holiday, they turn on any slow music and begin to move to the beat with an imaginary partner. It is believed that at this moment the soul of a person to whom you are very dear may be nearby. May 16 is dedicated to watching mystical TV series and melodramas with love stories whose characters are ghosts: “Between Heaven and Earth” with Reese Witherspoon, “Camilla’s Honeymoon” with Senna Miller and James Franco, “The Bride from Beyond” with the charming Eva Longoria and "Meet Joe Black" with young Brad Pitt. The day of "Dancing with Ghosts" is a reason to plunge not only into the world of art, but also science. Associations with the rhythmic movements of infernal entities prompted researchers to give an unusual name to one astronomical object. In 2021, scientists used the ultra-powerful ASKAP telescope to see radio galaxies located approximately a billion light years from Earth. At the center of each of them there is a black hole that shoots beams of electrons into space. The intergalactic wind gives these particles a bizarre cloud shape, reminiscent of two dancing ghosts. Thanks to EMU, a project for space exploration through radio continuum imaging, it is planned to create a "Map of the Evolution of the Universe." One of its objects has already become galaxies called Dancing Ghosts. Spinning in the rhythm of a waltz, not with a flow of electrons in space, but with an invisible partner in earthly conditions, is offered by Ghost Dance Day.

An unofficial holiday, the history of which originated in London back in 1763. It was on this day that an acquaintance took place, and not just anywhere, but in a bookstore, between Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. The friendship of these prominent men of their time enabled the latter to write one of the most famous biographies of all time, The Life of Samuel Johnson. This work is considered the standard of biographical art, and for good reason. After all, the main character of the work himself, they began to call him Doctor Johnson after receiving an academic degree, a brilliant lexicographer, poet, critic, author of the English “Explanatory Dictionary”. It is impossible to list all of S. Johnson’s merits, because it is not without reason that his name became synonymous with the Age of Enlightenment, as his works influenced the minds of his contemporaries. Johnson's talent is not forgotten thanks to the biography of D. Boswell, who worked on the biography every day for almost 30 years, and was able to present it to the public in 1791. The word “biography” consists of two ancient Greek words that literally translate: “life” and “I write.” It is not for nothing that Plutarch, a Greek philosopher from the very beginning of our era, is considered the first biographer. He is the author of Comparative Lives, a unique work on prominent historical figures of the time. What is even more interesting is that many life histories are written in pairs, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Sometimes a biography looks like a historical and philosophical study, sometimes like a fiction novel, but in any case it is a painstaking work that gives a thoroughly detailed description of the life of an outstanding personality, the morals and customs of his era. Having information about the circumstances of the existence of a writer, artist, or historical figure, you can take a fresh look at his work and actions. It is an established tradition to congratulate unique specialists so important to literature on May 16th. Devotees of creative research organize meetings, lectures, and discussion evenings for literary scholars on this day. All over the world, the main places of celebration are libraries and large bookstores: exhibitions of works by recognized professionals, meetings and presentations of modern biographers. The best way to celebrate Biographer's Day is to choose and read the biography of a person who is interesting, and in a genre that is close to you; fortunately, the choice is simply huge. Everyone will find their own author: lovers of detective stories – Jared Cade’s “11 Days Absent” about Agatha Christie; fashion fans - A. Guidel "Coco Chanel"; creative personalities - I. Stone about Van Gogh; history buffs – Zweig’s dramas, for example “Mary Stuart”. You can turn to the work of brilliant Russian biographers, for example, P. Annenkov, the most famous Pushkin scholar. Each of the biographies is a valuable literary heritage that allows the modern reader to discover new things.

On May 16 (May 3 according to the old calendar style) people celebrate Mavra Rasadnitsa, also called Thrush or Green cabbage soup. Part of the name of the day comes from the name of the holy martyr Maura, whose memory is celebrated in churches on this date. Mavra lived in the 3rd century, and before her marriage she believed in false gods. During the period of persecution of Christians, her husband Timothy, a Christian reader, was seized by pagans and accused of possessing books of an incorrect religion. He was tortured, after which Mavra declared that she was a Christian. The girl's hair was pulled out and she was put in a vat of boiling water. Seeing that torture was powerless against the faith of Christians, the spouses were crucified on the cross. After 10 days they died. Among the people, Mavra was sometimes called by a more consonant name - Martha. It was called a nursery for the tradition of planting grown cabbage and pepper seedlings in open ground on a given day. In order for it to take root and produce a good harvest, and to avoid evil spirits and pests, it was sprinkled with water blessed in the church before planting. If Mavra Rassadnitsa fell on Thursday, then planting was postponed, believing that this day of the week would provoke in the future invasions of worms on cabbage heads. Women have always been involved in planting seedlings. During this period, men plowed the fields and sowed grain crops: rye, barley, oats, wheat. To prevent chickens from pecking at the young shoots, women were forbidden to eat bread at Mavra Rassadnitsa. Mavra the thrush was called for her increased milk yield by this date. The weather was good outside, the grass grew tall and lush. By eating it, cows and goats produced tasty thick milk. Peasants cooked and ate milk porridge from it, believing that it would give them health. Mavra was also given the nickname Green Shchi. Sorrel, nettle and quinoa were growing in full swing in the gardens. Green borscht, cabbage soup, and salads were prepared from them. They were of particular benefit to residents because they contained enough vitamins, so necessary in the spring. In some regions there was a ritual of whipping nettles. To give strength to work in the fields and gardens, the youth cheerfully lashed each other with nettle branches. In order to ward off an unfaithful husband from his mistress, wives put nettle insoles in their husband's shoes. It was also used to drive away evil spirits, treat diseases in livestock, weave ropes and make brooms for the bathhouse. If at Mavra Rassadnitsa an oak blossom was observed before an ash tree, the summer season was expected with rare rains. Bird cherry blossoms signaled the approach of cold weather. If poultry flapped its wings frequently, residents were preparing for inclement weather. A sunny day and abundant morning dew foreshadowed a bountiful harvest of cucumbers.

Embroidery Day in Ukraine

Orthodox holidays on May 16:

Memorial Day of St. Theodosius of Pechersk

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Pechersk-Not Made by Hands

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Svenskaya (Pecherskaya)

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “Assumption” Kiev-Pecherskaya

Memorial Day of the Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura

Memorial Day of Saints Juliana and Eupraxia of Moscow