How and why is the celebration of International Friendship Day in each country in different months?
The aim of International Friendship Day is “Sharing the human spirit through friendship.” This highlights the importance of building genuine relationships and a sense of companionship among people. International Friendship Day is a meaningful event that celebrates the valuable and enduring relationships that bring joy and fulfilment to our lives. This year, on July 30, people all over the world will unite to express gratitude for the importance of these cherished connections. In India, Friendship Day is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of August.
History of International Friendship Day
It is important to note that Friendship Day originated in Paraguay in 1958, proposed by Joyce Hall. This global holiday is celebrated to honour friendship and was initially observed on 2 August. However, the date was later changed in the United States due to de-synchronisation. It is worth mentioning that in 1998, Winnie the Pooh was appointed as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations by Nane Annan to commemorate Friendship Day. This prestigious event was co-hosted by Kathy Lee Gifford and co-sponsored by the U.N. Department of Public Information and Disney Enterprises.
On 20th July 1958, Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho proposed the idea of a Global Friendship Day during a dinner with friends in Puerto Pinasco, a town located approximately 200 miles (320 km) north of Asuncion, Paraguay. The meeting led to the establishment of the World Friendship Crusade, a foundation that advocates friendship and camaraderie among individuals regardless of their race, colour, or religion. As a result, 30th July has been celebrated with great enthusiasm as Friendship Day in Paraguay every year and has also been embraced by several other nations.
For numerous years, the World Friendship Crusade has been advocating for the United Nations to acknowledge 30 July as World Friendship Day. In 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations finally agreed to recognize 30 July as the International Day of Friendship. The Member States were then encouraged to celebrate the day based on the traditions and customs of their local, national, and regional communities. This can be achieved through various activities such as education and raising public awareness.
Significance of International Friendship Day
Friendship is essential in achieving lasting stability and creating a safety net that benefits everyone. Strong bonds of camaraderie and trust are the foundation of friendship. It inspires a passion for a better world where individuals unite for the greater good. Despite facing challenges and divisions, friendship is a vital tool in addressing root causes and building a shared spirit of human solidarity.
The significance of Friendship Day lies in its reminder of the incredible impact that friendships can have on our lives. Our friends are the ones who truly understand us, forming an unbreakable bond that touches us at a soul level. They bring happiness, support, and love, making our lives more enjoyable and meaningful.
On this special day, the aim is to encourage dialogue among diverse cultures, organizations, and communities. Governments, international groups, and civil society organizations are encouraged to organize events and activities that encourage mutual understanding and celebrate diversity. Young people are especially encouraged to participate, as they are the next generation of leaders who can bring about positive change and international cooperation. This day is in line with UNESCO’s Culture of Peace initiative, which aims to prevent conflicts and address underlying issues to find peaceful solutions.
Celebration of Friendship Day in each country in different months.
Friendship Day is celebrated on different dates in many countries. For instance, February 14th is the day for celebrating friendship in Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Finland, Estonia, and the Dominican Republic. South Africa marks the day on April 16th, while Singapore celebrates during the third week of April. In Ukraine, Friendship Day is observed on June 9th, while in Ecuador and Venezuela, it is on July 14th. In Pakistan, the event is celebrated on July 19th every year. Bolivia marks Friendship Day on July 23rd, and Nepal celebrates on July 30th.
In Paraguay, July 29th is a special day for giving gifts to loved ones. Many celebrations occur in bars and nightclubs. The Invisible Friend game, also known as Amigo Invisible, is a popular tradition. Participants receive small sheets of paper with names written on them, and each person secretly selects another person. On July 30th, they give a present to the person whose name was written on the paper. This custom is common in schools and workplaces in Asunción and other cities in Paraguay.
In 2009, Peru began to celebrate “El dia del Amigo” on the first Saturday of July. This date was suggested by the beer company Pilsen Callao to distinguish true friendship from romantic love and Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Uruguay, Friendship Day (or Friend’s Day) is commemorated on July 20th. This day is a perfect opportunity to gather with friends, both old and new, and exchange warm greetings.
The celebration of International Friendship became popular thanks to Enrique Ernesto Febbraro. He was an Argentinian dentist and Rotarian who had the idea to commemorate this day as a unifying gesture of friendship among nations. The inspiration for this celebration came from the day Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon. During the Apollo 11 mission, while the spacecraft was still in space, Febbraro sent 1,000 letters to contacts from the Rotary Club around the world. He received 700 responses, which kickstarted the celebration.
The Rotary Club has a global presence and garnered 700 responses for its recent celebration. Friend’s Day in Argentina has become a widely popular event, with an overwhelming number of messages and calls causing mobile network outages in major cities like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, and Rosario. The high demand for reservations in restaurants and bars is comparable to that of Christmas and New Year’s Day in 2004.
In India, Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August. The celebration gained popularity among teenagers and young people in the early 1990s, largely due to the influence of Bollywood movies. As a symbol of celebrating their friendship, friends tie a ribbon band known as a Friendship band to each other. On this day, college students usually wear white T-shirts and write each other’s names or friendship quotes on them.
International Friendship Day is a great chance to show appreciation and love to our friends. We can celebrate in many ways, such as spending time together, giving meaningful gifts, writing sincere letters, cooking something special, dedicating heartfelt songs, or just expressing our gratitude. The gestures and sentiments are what make this day truly special.
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