International Women’s Day
Filed under: Culture, History, Holidays, Translation Services, Travel
International Women’s Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
The first International Women’s Day occurred on March 19 in 1911. This event, which included rallies and organized meetings, was a huge success in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The March 19 date was chosen because it commemorated the day that the Prussian king promised to introduce votes for women in 1848. The promise gave hope for equality but it was a promise that he failed to keep. The International Women’s Day date was moved to March 8 in 1913.
In Russia, this holiday emerged as a political celebration to symbolize the fight of women from all over the world for their rights, full equality with men, democracy and peace. As the time passed, the political motives of the holiday moved to the background and March 8th simply became a women’s holiday in Russia and other republics of the former USSR.
Festa della Donna (Women’s Day Festival), is celebrated March 8 all over Italy. On this day, men bring flowers to the women in their lives. Many cafes and restaurants have special meals and there are often small local festivals or concerts. Some museums and sites offer free or reduced admission for women.
In the Ukraine, March 8 is celebrated as the holiday of women, spring and love. It is an official day off for both men and women, which was originally introduced by the Communists. Currently, Ukrainian men congratulate their women by giving them flowers, presents and doing the housework by themselves.
In France, in order to celebrate the holidays, Air France designated an all female crew to fly from Paris to Washington. With two pilots and 22 attendants, Air France says that this will be “the largest exclusively female crew in its history.”
In India, over 100 women marched in the capital, New Delhi, calling on the government to do more to protect them.
In South Africa, hundreds of drummers played with the message that violence against women should stop.
Many amazing things happened for women this year. Women in the U.S. won the right to serve on the front lines in combat, the number of women who die in childbirth declined by 50% and the President inched closer to demanding equal pay for men and women. However, according to a current study, 1 in 3 women in the world will be raped in her lifetime and violence against women is still the norm in many countries.
The Year of the Snake
Filed under: Culture, History, Holidays, Translation Services
In the Chinese calendar, 2013 is the Year of the Snake (蛇). This black Snake year will bring people unexpected changes, instability, and changeability. The year of the snake is also meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Focus and discipline will be necessary for people to achieve what they set out to create this year, according to Chinese legend.
Joining the snake in the 12 year cycle of animals is the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the horse, the sheep/goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. The snake is said to be the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of all the zodiac animals.
A person born during the year of the snake may possess a sixth sense but will be very practical and rational and not very verbal. They are also very attractive, mysterious and have quite the fashion sense, according to legend. The Chinese believe that finding a snake in one’s house is very lucky.
The Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10, 2013 as the date is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is the biggest holiday celebrated among Chinese people. It originally lasted for four weeks but now it usually lasts about 3-4 days.
Houses will be cleaned, windows will be painted red, dumplings will be eaten, flowers will be placed as a decoration, symbols of the snake will be everywhere and red envelopes with money will be given out to children for luck and prosperity in the new year.
新年快乐!
