3 minute read
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
UPCOMING EVENTS
BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE
2-4 04
Easter Weekend
The Christian community will begin the Easter Weekend by observing Good Friday on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Easter falls under the Paschal season in the Christian Advent Calendar. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Easter Sunday celebrates His resurrection. Families are encouraged to spend quality time together, attend church services and carry on the tradition of giving loved ones (especially children) chocolate eggs, as a symbol of new life and Jesus’ emergence from the tomb. Family Day will also be observed on Easter Monday, and is a time for strengthening bonds among family members, and going on vacation together.
As per the General Assembly, on 8 December 2005, it was declared that the 4 April of each year would be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Initiated by the USA and the United Nations, this day creates awareness around nations in which mines and explosive remnants of war pose a serious threat to the health, safety and livelihood of all civilians, or an obstacle to positive social and economic development at the national and local levels.
Victim assistance, risk education campaigns and advocacy will be top of the agenda on this day.
23
World Book and Copyright Day
World Book and Copyright Day is a celebration to encourage the enjoyment of books and reading.
Each year, on 23 April, celebrations take place all over the world to recognise the magical power of books, exhibiting a connection between the past and the future - a bridge between generations and across cultures and creeds. On this occasion, UNESCO and the international organisations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries - come together to commemorate the power of the written word. Schools often host special reading sessions and character dress up days to get young children more excited about literature and literacy.
Freedom Month
24
World Veterinary Day
Initiated in 2000, by the World Veterinary Association, World Veterinary Day highlights the amazing work that veterinarians around the globe have committed their lives to. Every year, a unique theme is chosen, assisting pet owners to remember the importance of the many important aspects of animal care, and how vets can aid in caring for these animals.
One continual topic of discussion is ensuring pet vaccinations remain up to date to prevent unnecessary spread of highly contagious virus, like Parvo. In 2020, the theme of World Veterinary Day was ‘Environmental protection for improving animal and human health’. This year, there will be a focus on Veterinarian Response to the COVID-19 Crisis.
26 27
World Intellectual Property Day
World Intellectual Property Day is commemorated annually, and was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to promote the importance of patents, copyright, trademarks and designs, and the manner in which they impact on daily life. This is a celebration of creativity, and ‘the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe’. World Intellectual Property Day coexists with the 1970’s historical initiation of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s commencement.
This year, resources will be made available to help small businesses with their intellectual property needs, and focus will be put on educating people on intellectual property rights.
Freedom Day
Freedom Day is the celebration of our country’s first democratic elections, held on 27 April 1994. This was when Nelson Mandela was voted President of our nation. These were the first postapartheid national elections to be held in South African where anyone could vote regardless of race.
The first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 gave birth to our constitutional democracy. For the majority of South Africans who had never voted before their dignity was restored and the country transformed to a nonracial, non-sexist and democratic society. In 2020, Freedom Month was celebrated under the theme ‘Valuing Our Freedom in Difficult Times’ - a theme that undoubtedly still applies today.
