KATHMANDU: Six United Nations-declared international days are being observed worldwide today. These include World Poetry Day, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, International Day of Forests, World Day for Glaciers, World Down Syndrome Day, and International Day of Nowruz.
World Poetry Day is celebrated to recognize the importance of poetry in “our common humanity” and its “unique ability” to “capture the creative spirit of the human mind,” according to UNESCO.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination aims to promote the global fight against racial prejudice and discrimination.
The International Day of Forests raises awareness about the crucial role forests play in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, and food security.
Starting in 2025, March 21 will be observed as World Day for Glaciers, in line with the World Water Day campaign theme of “Glacier Preservation.”
World Down Syndrome Day is dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the lives of people with Down syndrome.
Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which typically falls on March 21. It marks the beginning of the new year for over 300 million people worldwide and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Nowruz is a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, symbolizing the renewal of nature.
The International Day of Nowruz promotes values of peace, solidarity between generations and within families, as well as reconciliation, neighborliness, and cultural diversity, fostering friendship among peoples and communities.
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