China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Kenya and Turkey are among the 40 countries that cultivate the evergreen plant Camellia sinensis. The leaves of this tea bush have been used by people since ancient times to prepare a tonic and tasty drink. It is popular, despite the climatic and weather conditions of a person’s place of residence, as it perfectly warms in the cold and refreshes in the heat, helps to calm down or, on the contrary, invigorate. On May 21, at the initiative of the UN, International Tea Day is celebrated. Leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis bushes and small trees are processed before reaching the table. They are dried in the sun, rolled and pressed, fried and oxidized under pressure or in the fresh air. There are six types of tea based on the degree of fermentation: green, black, white, yellow, oolong and red. The color of the leaf depends on the degree of oxidation, which is determined by temperature, air humidity and the duration of the procedure. The taste of tea and the presence of certain beneficial properties in it depend on fermentation. In some cases, such as pu-erh cakes, oxidation continues during storage. Regular consumption of the drink is very beneficial for health. Tea lovers observe various effects from its consumption - from weight loss and strengthening the immune system to saturating the body with antioxidants in the form of vitamin C and other beneficial substances. The traditions of some countries have made the drink part of the national culture. Thus, in Japan, the ceremony of drinking green matcha, the leaves of the plant crushed into powder, helps to detach from everyday worries and find inner harmony and balance. The first mention of the drink dates back to the 3rd century BC. China is considered the birthplace of tea. But over time, the cultivation and consumption of the drink became part of the culture of the countries of Southeast and Central Asia. For many of them, the tea industry is part of the income stream not only of the state budget, but also of millions of people. The growing areas of Camellia sinensis have specific agro-ecological conditions that are very vulnerable to climate change. It was decided to establish International Tea Day to draw attention to the tea industry, its traditions and modern problems. The initiative to create an international holiday was taken by FAO. There are four tea-growing sites in China, Korea and Japan that the organization has designated as Globally Significant Agricultural Heritage Systems. These territories are subject to high demands to support the diversity of biogeocenosis. Despite the fact that tea as a crop is very unpretentious, it requires special growing and processing conditions to preserve its beneficial properties. Therefore, International Tea Day is not only a celebration of an aromatic and tasty drink, but also a celebration of a reasonable and careful attitude towards natural resources.

Not only Russian cosmonauts work on board the Mir research complex, but also astronauts from the United States, as well as representatives of other countries. A friendly international team celebrates birthdays, New Year, Christmas and national holidays at the station. In 1998, an American astronaut from NASA, Andrew Thomas, came up with the idea to establish International Space Day. And now, every year on May 21, it is celebrated both by those who are directly related to the space industry and by ordinary people who are attracted by the secrets of distant stars and the mysteries of the Universe. In honor of International Space Day, it is customary to visit planetariums and observatories. During the sessions, adults and children will learn interesting facts about the Milky Way galaxy, distant planets, black holes and meteorites. Those who wish can listen to the sounds that the Earth makes, no matter how strange it may seem at first glance. Our planet makes noise due to fluctuations in magnetic fields and solar wind, which carry these signals into outer space. The administration of the planetariums is reducing the cost of entrance tickets so that as many as possible can join the international holiday. On May 21, competitions, seminars and popular science lectures are held on the secrets of the cosmic depths. Man dreamed of learning more about the boundless space of stars back in the 5th millennium AD. But only in the middle of the twentieth century. Thanks to the development of science and technology, it has become possible to fly into space. The airless space between the planets of the Solar and other systems is in constant motion. Space is not a vacuum and emptiness devoid of matter. Interplanetary space is filled with molecules of dust, oxygen, hydrogen and electromagnetic radiation; it also contains elementary particles and nuclear atoms moving at high speed. This seething is due to the anti-gravity energy of the atomic components. Therefore, space is in constant motion - stars are born and extinguished, meteorites fly, supernova explosions occur and black holes are formed. In honor of the international holiday, broadcasts are organized from the Mir orbital station. During the live broadcast, the astronauts talk about how their life works on board the ISS, what research is being carried out in space, and share their observations about its mysteries. The first broadcast went on May 21, 1998. It laid the foundation for the tradition of astronauts sending greetings to their relatives and friends on Earth. International Space Day is especially widely celebrated in Russia, the USA, Kazakhstan, China, Japan and India - countries that have made significant contributions to space exploration. The endless space that extends just beyond the boundaries of the earth’s atmosphere beckons with its inaccessibility. The holiday is celebrated by astronomers, astrologers and other lovers of observing galaxies and stars through a telescope. International Space Day is a great time to learn about scientific research, study satellite images of the Earth and Moon, and take a virtual trip to the constellation Lyra during a 3D planetarium show.

Everyday attention to the values ​​of culture, interracial contacts, the ability to conduct dialogue in order to maintain sustainable peace and comprehensive development is a priority task for all inhabitants of the planet. The importance of maintaining such foundations is emphasized by the UN. Spiritual values, as a fundamental instrument of progress, have always been given special attention. In order to highlight priority tasks, to honor and increase the richness and diversity of the spiritual aspect in the life of each individual nation, a holiday was created - World Cultural Development Day. Over time, the target load and range of tasks expanded significantly; the question of the need to unite all nations for the sake of peaceful and stable living, assistance in the development and preservation of all the moral wealth of nations living on Earth was acute. Therefore, in 2001, the UN recognized the phenomenon of cultural wealth and development of all nations. In 2002, namely on February 20, the UN General Assembly decided to reform and transform this special day into a broader and more ambitious one. It is now World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The event has attracted attention in many countries around the world and is celebrated every year on May 21. The foundations of the culture of the people are a powerful driving force for full-fledged economic growth, stability, as well as an effective tool for influencing the moral, intellectual, and emotional criteria of life. In the modern realities of the modern world, intangible wealth becomes the key to awareness, the formation and improvement of the norms of spirituality, the concept of the need to preserve the diverse heritage of all peoples of the world. The seven cultural conventions are interpreted as being of utmost importance in supporting and promoting global diversity. The concept itself is presented as a fundamental lever of influence in the work to overcome pressing problems of humanity. Through the cohesion of nations and sustainable fruitful dialogue in the modern world, it is necessary to control and reduce global poverty, as well as ensure a full, decent standard of living. Leading minds rely on the recognition of the very phenomenon of cultural diversity, strive, through the dissemination of information by modern media, with the help of the latest global communication technologies, to ensure an unbreakable connection between nations, to strengthen mutual understanding and respect between all peoples on the planet. The vital goal of such an important day is to help understand as deeply as possible the need for diversity of facets of world views to preserve peace on Earth, respect for all peoples and their heritage. The foundations, goals and traditions of the holiday are regulated by a special document - the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which was proclaimed on October 20, 2005. The document presents the main tasks and priorities in the work: In all conventions that address issues of moral values, the main emphasis is on the need for international cooperation. As part of the annual celebration of Cultural Diversity Day, a special program was launched. Her motto is “Do one thing.” The goal of the campaign is to encourage specific organizations and people around the world to take effective steps to support the diverse national heritage, increase full awareness and direct participation in intercultural dialogue, and form a large-scale global community that understands the importance and strives in every possible way to preserve the great spiritual heritage of all peoples.

Polar explorer. A beautiful, capacious word that personifies not just a profession, but the way of life of people who find themselves in extreme situations every day. But despite this, living is interesting, fulfilling, and meaningful. A polar explorer must be able to do many things, in addition to his profession, love harsh romance, and constantly be on the alert. Do not forget about honesty, decency, responsibility. It is to such people that the holiday is dedicated - Polar Explorer Day in Russia. The holiday is young, young at heart, just like the people to whom it is addressed. The initiator of annually honoring and celebrating the hard work of people living in permafrost was Arthur Chilingarov, who is the special representative of the president in the Arctic. Surely many polar explorers are grateful to A. Chilingarov for raising the issue in December 2012 about the well-deserved recognition of their significant work. And the President did not keep him waiting long for his decision and already on May 1, 2013, he signed decree number 502. Since then, May 21 has been an official holiday for all Russian polar explorers. It is worth noting that the date was chosen for a reason. Following historical facts, it was on May 21 that the first polar drifting station began its difficult journey. In 1937 it was called “North Pole”, then changed its name to “SP-1”. The purpose of the scientific survey expedition was to explore the territories of the Far North. O. Schmidt led the expedition, and Ivan Papanin was directly responsible for the base, which was located on an island plot of Franz Josef Land. The very first polar explorers carried out oceanographic, geophysical and meteorological measurements and research. The polar explorers completed the difficult journey in 274 days. The ice floe repeatedly cracked and broke. The expedition ended on May 19, and the data obtained by the first brave researchers was extremely important for the country. Nowadays, polar stations are equipped with modern equipment, and they are not so alone in the ocean. Russian polar explorers often coexist with researchers from other countries. And what is most important at the stations is mutual assistance, understanding, and support. How else? At the end of the world there is simply no other way! The essence and purpose of the work remained unchanged. So responsible, dangerous and historically important.

The profession of military translator existed long before it was given official status. For the first time, the title “military translator” appeared in the Soviet Union after the signing of the Decree of May 21, 1929. More than a decade passed before military translators had a professional holiday. It was first celebrated in 2000. This year, on May 21, the VIIIA Alumni Club met. Former students of the Military Institute of Languages ​​were the first to celebrate this holiday. All translators are career military officers. They obey the Charter, march and salute. At first glance, it is not a very dangerous profession, but the translator knows how to handle weapons and knows everything that a fighter should know. The history of professional translators began with the embassy order and interpreters. The order was responsible for the ability to communicate with foreign ambassadors. In war, opponents also could not do without communication, and prisoners must be interrogated by a person who knows the language. The historical and geographical position of Russia has determined the importance of accurate translation when communicating with foreign guests. Throughout the 16th-17th centuries, professional interpreters were used both in diplomatic relations and in military campaigns. Moreover, when teaching the nobility, foreign languages ​​were considered a compulsory subject. Only after access to the Black Sea and the beginning of the Crimean Wars does the need for officers who speak languages ​​arise. The Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began to train translators for the army and navy at the end of the nineteenth century. The first students were recruited only from guards units. Officers were trained in Oriental and French languages ​​and law. English was included in the program in 1907. At the turn of the 20th century, the Oriental Institute opened, where only officers could study. The main direction is oriental studies, English and French languages. The institute could not cope with the flow of applicants, so officer language courses began to open at district headquarters. A series of events that shook the empire disrupted the preparation process. Only in the year 20, the Eastern Department was created, which began to train translators for service in the East. Officers were taught Oriental and English languages ​​and special subjects. The Great Patriotic War accelerated the process of creating a specialized educational institution for the military. In 1942, the Military Institute of Foreign Languages ​​was created. The translators made an invisible, at first glance, but significant contribution to the overall Victory. More than two and a half thousand officers were awarded orders and medals. Currently, the Military University trains specialists in 26 foreign languages. Future translators are trained in ten departments and nine courses. The university trains professionals who are able not only to translate any text, but also to carry out simultaneous translation. Each translator is fluent in several languages ​​and understands military specifics. Officers are involved in solving various tasks: training foreign officers, assisting Russian advisers abroad, translating specialized literature into other languages, and so on. During combat operations, it is necessary not only to translate the exact meaning of the enemy’s words, but also to understand the general meaning, based on an analysis of the situation. Every military translator can understand the operational and tactical situation. Few people know about the existence of such a profession. The more valuable the congratulations are. On this day, we congratulate all active specialists and veterans on their professional holiday. Let your thought be sharp and your word precise!

Sailors of the Pacific Fleet celebrate their professional holiday every year on May 21. It began to be noted in the new history of the country in 1996 after the signing of the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The starting point was the Okhotsk flotilla, which was created in 1731 to protect the Far East. At the same time, a military port is being created, which became the first combat unit of the Russian fleet in this region. The basis of the flotilla were small-tonnage ships. In 1850, the base was relocated to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Within two years, Nikolaevsk-on-Amur became the main port, and the unit was renamed the Siberian Military Flotilla. Vladivostok became a base point in the second half of the 19th century. The flotilla's capabilities were small. Everything changed with the arrival of the Mediterranean squadron. Having become part of the unit, it significantly increased its combat power. The war with Japan showed the weakness of the Russian fleet in the Pacific Ocean. By the beginning of the First World War, the composition was reinforced with two cruisers, nine destroyers, ten destroyers and eight submarines. During the war, some of the ships fought in the North and in the Mediterranean. The remainder of the flotilla escorted transports with military supplies that were supplied from the United States. During the Civil War, the ships were captured, Soviet Russia lost almost its entire fleet. Sailors and officers fought the invaders on the land fronts. With the advent of peacetime, the Vladivostok detachment was formed from the remains of the ships, which later became part of the Naval Forces in the Far East. The period between the world wars passed in strengthening the composition and rearmament. The conflict with Japan tested the Pacific Fleet's combat readiness. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the fleet was in combat readiness to repel the Japanese attack. Personnel are partially transferred to other units and to ground theaters of combat. In the final month of World War II, the Pacific Fleet landed troops in enemy ports. Fleet aircraft attack Japanese military targets in North Korea. The feat of the sailors and officers was appreciated by the Motherland: 30,000 were awarded orders and medals, 43 sailors received the highest award - the Star of the Hero. The military merits of the Pacific Fleet units were also recognized - 19 of them were awarded the title of Guards, 16 received orders, 13 received honorary titles. The post-war years are spent in global reorganization, the Pacific Fleet has been replenished with missile ships, nuclear submarines, jet fighters and other weapons. In the early 70s, a powerful nuclear missile fleet operated in the Pacific region. The ships participate in long voyages and large-scale exercises. The modern Pacific Fleet ensures the security of the Russian Federation in the Asia-Pacific region. There is no other such fleet in the Navy - the bases and main formations are located in different climatic zones. APRK, nuclear and diesel submarines, and ships of various classes are on combat duty. Ground units and aviation are capable of repelling attacks from any potential enemy. The official tasks of the fleet, set by the command: • Constant readiness of nuclear forces; • Ensuring the protection of Russia's economic interests; • Protection of civil navigation in areas of responsibility; • Conducting foreign policy events (visits, exercises, peacekeeping missions and other activities). Pacific Fleet combat units make a great contribution to the anti-terrorist and anti-piracy activities of the Russian Federation. The ships are constantly on duty at the Strait of Malacca, protecting merchant ships. A special group of ships supports the operation against terrorists in Syria. The St. Andrew's flag over the ships of the Pacific Fleet makes it clear that our fleet is a serious force that can repel any threats to the country. Hard everyday life in combat finds support from society. On this day, we congratulate Pacific Islanders, both active duty and veterans, on their professional holiday!

Funny Holidays - World Rose Day

Every citizen of Russia has the right to paid work. Unemployment is a common occurrence in our country. Unfortunately, no state will be able to completely eradicate this problem. The task of a developed society is to minimize the percentage of the unemployed population. Unemployment Protection Day was first celebrated on May 21, 1992, after the existence of such a phenomenon was recognized at the state level a year earlier. The date was not established by any decrees, but in fact it exists. In ITAR-TASS, the day was first mentioned in the “Calendar of Dates and Events”. The purpose of the holiday is to direct public interest in such an important topic. In another way it is called the day to combat unemployment. State employment services are being created in Russia. On this day they hold various events: - job fairs, - advanced training courses, - testing for job seekers, - professional retraining. Tests make it possible to determine the field of activity that is most suitable. They are conducted for further training and employment. Personnel retraining is the main weapon in the fight against unemployment. It is precisely because of the low demand for a profession that a person can be left without a livelihood. Operational retraining is a way out of the situation. On May 21, factories and organizations hold an open day for those persons referred by employment services. The issue of lack of jobs can cause a loss of skills among the population, irritation of the masses and dissatisfaction with the authorities. Another problem is that our fellow citizens have a constant fear of losing their jobs. To resolve this, conferences are held with government officials. On this day, ways to resolve the issue are discussed, for example, increasing social guarantees. On this holiday, we congratulate all those who work in employment services and other bodies whose activities are related to the reduction of unemployment in the country.

Surely only a few people know that there is such a holiday as Inventory Day. BTI Worker's Day, or Inventory Inventory Day, is celebrated on May 21. There are three significant dates for this holiday. The first, from which it all began, is May 21, 1927, when the Economic Conference under the Labor and Defense Council of the RSFSR adopted the Resolution “On approval of the Regulations on the inventory of property of Local Councils.” The second was on January 10, 1930, when the Soviets organized special accounting and economic bureaus. And finally, 1999, when the holiday was officially approved. Most people have a very rough idea of ​​the activities of inventory takers, as well as how the abbreviation BTI stands for. So what kind of beast is this BTI, and what exactly do the employees of this mysterious organization do? Initially BTI, i.e. The Bureau of Technical Inventory was created in order to nationalize private property, which, as is known, was abolished in 1917. The responsibilities of the service included: creating information databases about residential and non-residential real estate objects that became state property, about their price and technical condition, so that in the future it would be possible to calculate the costs of its repair and maintenance, as well as the construction of new objects. During the era of perestroika, this well-coordinated system practically collapsed. The chaos in the country, the liquidation, closure and reformatting of state property, led to the fact that there was no longer such strict accounting of real estate as before, as a result of which financial injections into the state budget sharply decreased. Currently, BTI, as an accounting service, deals with all real estate transactions, be it the sale or purchase of an apartment, registration of redevelopment, measurements of the area and volume of premises, transfer of real estate as collateral, receiving or leaving an inheritance... Employees working in this area must have extensive knowledge in the fields of legislation and construction. This work is very responsible, and mistakes in it can primarily affect our financial, legal - and even physical - security. After all, a lot depends on this service: it has to decide, for example, such problems as whether to give away old housing for demolition, or it can be repaired, and it will still be able to serve for some time. As in any professional organization, they begin to prepare for the holiday in advance. On the eve of Inventory Day, seminars are held on topical topics; employees regularly take advanced training courses, exchange experiences and discuss innovations in legislation. Recently, the media have increasingly begun to cover professional holidays. They do not ignore this event, which is important for BTI workers, albeit an inconspicuous one.

The Day of Workers of Culture and Art of Kazakhstan is celebrated annually in the spring - May 21. This tradition appeared in 2013, when the Decree of the President of the Republic Nursultan Nazarbayev was published. Before this time, the holiday already existed, but was celebrated in the fall - in the last days of September. These days fell on Labor Day. In order not to combine the two events, it was decided to postpone the holiday of cultural and art workers to the spring. Representatives of the profession do not sit idle on this holiday: they share their successes and plans for the future, demonstrate their achievements and talented students. Cultural workers are people of a special type who work according to their calling. Giving others a holiday is their main task. More than 4,000 cultural workers are involved in this area in the Republic. They work in completely different places: in libraries, art houses, philharmonic societies, theaters, cultural centers. They hold events at the local level and participate in international competitions. Kazakhstan is famous for its creative people, folk ensembles, and groups. Art and culture are important areas of activity for Kazakhstanis. Representatives of the profession are called upon to preserve the identity of their people and pass on the traditions, rituals, songs and dances of their ancestors from generation to generation. Honoring one's roots and history is important for any nation. Without the past there is no future. In addition to the indigenous population, the Kazakhs (more than half of the total population), Udmurts, Russians, Uzbeks, Aigurs and other nationalities live on the territory of Kazakhstan. Activists in the field of art and culture help preserve the uniqueness of each nationality. Thanks to cultural workers, the younger generations begin to understand the true meaning of culture, receive information about events taking place in rural areas and cities, and become closer to creativity. Every year, on May 21, the best representatives of creative professions are honored in the main cultural center of Astana “Kazakhstan”. Famous artists and singing groups are invited to create a great mood for workers of culture and art. The awards are presented by the Minister of Industry. Workers of culture and art, striving for excellence, become an example for others, a reflection of the spiritual development of the entire society.

Holidays in Bulgaria - Predoj

Holidays of Montenegro - Independence Day

Holidays of Greece - Pirovassia (fire walking) (Anastenaria)

Holidays of Bulgaria - Day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Constantine and his mother Queen Helena

Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Caucasian War in Abkhazia (Circassian Day of Mourning)

According to the folk calendar, Ivan the Long is celebrated on May 21 (May 8, old style). On this date, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. John the Theologian, an apostle of the 12, a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was in honor of him that the national holiday got its name. John studied with Christ together with his brother James, followed the Savior, and witnessed his miracles and martyrdom. Afterwards, John took care of Saint Mary and carried the word of God to the people, spreading the faith. During the period of persecution of Christians, the apostle was tortured, but they could not kill the saint and were exiled to distant islands. When John returned, he wrote several books of the New Testament and lived to a ripe old age. The people called John (Ivan) the Long One, because on a given day the peasants had to work from dawn until late at night. Everyone was in a hurry to cultivate the fields and sow grain so that it could use all the spring moisture. Late-sown grains took longer to germinate, and accordingly the yield level fell. On Ivan the Long, residents sowed wheat. Although they tried to sow the seeds early, they were in no hurry to sow wheat until the bird cherry blossoms and the first oak leaves. This was associated with the warming of the soil, and before it the cold weather could destroy the wheat seedlings. Wheat was not as popular among the people as rye. Wealthy peasants could afford wheat flour. More often it was grown and sold, and the money received was used for purchases at the fair or to pay taxes. Therefore, when sowing wheat, the peasants prayed over the field and hoped for a rich harvest. In wealthy families, it was a common tradition to bake wheat bread or pies for Ivan the Long. A share of the grain was taken to the field as a tribute to the land so that it would produce a good harvest. The old people should have taken the other part outside and asked the Lord to send a good traveler to give him the bread. It was considered lucky to give bread to a traveler or a beggar; then a rich harvest was foreshadowed. It was forbidden to take the remaining bread home and eat it yourself, otherwise a crop failure could occur. Then it was fed to the birds. A rainy day on Ivan the Long foreshadowed a lot of mushrooms in the summer, a sunny day - on the contrary, few. If the bird cherry blossomed in full color, then summer was expected with frequent precipitation. A month of light haze was observed before the weather worsened. A red sky before sunset promised fine days, but a red sky at dawn predicted precipitation throughout the day.

Orthodox holidays on May 21:

Memorial Day of St. John the Evangelist (patron saint of authors, editors and publishers)

Memorial Day of St. Arseny the Great