Several international days are marked on 1 February:
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed since 2010 at the initiative of the United Nations. Its aim is to highlight the importance of harmony and dialogue between faiths in today’s world.
Interesting facts
- the week is observed from 1 to 7 February
- during this period a variety of events devoted to interfaith dialogue take place, such as conferences, seminars, festivals and cultural events
- representatives of different faiths take part, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and others
International Dessert Day is an unofficial holiday, started in 2008 by the American pastry chef and blogger Angie Dudley, who presented her dessert called the cake pop (a sweet on a stick, similar to the famous Chupa Chups lollipop).
- desserts have been known to humankind for thousands of years, and the earliest mentions of them appear in Sumerian and Egyptian texts
- the word “dessert” first appeared in English in the 14th century and comes from the French “dessert”, meaning what is served after the meal
- desserts can be sweet, savoury or even spicy, and can be made from a huge variety of ingredients, such as fruit, berries, chocolate, nuts, sugar, honey, milk, eggs and so on
- desserts can be simple or elaborate, expensive or cheap, made at home or bought in a shop
World Hijab Day is an annual event of a global movement created to foster understanding, tolerance and respect for Muslim women. The day is dedicated to raising the profile of the hijab and awareness of what it means to Muslim women.
- it has been observed since 2013 at the initiative of the Muslim activist Nafisa Salim
- its aim is to highlight the importance of the hijab to Muslim women and to protect their right to wear it
- on this day a variety of events devoted to the hijab take place, such as conferences, seminars, festivals and cultural events
Ireland also celebrates St Brigid’s Day on this date. It is dedicated to the memory of St Brigid, a Catholic saint, founder of the monastery in Kildare and patron saint of Ireland.
- St Brigid’s Day is one of the most important feast days in Ireland and has been celebrated since the 5th century AD, when St Brigid died
- St Brigid was known for her kindness, mercy and love of people, as well as for her learning and wisdom
- on St Brigid’s Day it is customary in Ireland to make crosses from straw, which are considered a symbol of protection against evil and misfortune
- it is also customary to light bonfires on St Brigid’s Day, symbolising the coming of spring and a new beginning
What interesting facts do you know about these days?
