Universal Children’s Day:
20th November is celebrated as the Universal Children’s Day around the world. This date was decided by the General Assembly of United Nations. The sole reason to start a Day for children was to promote communal exchange and understanding among children, as well as to bring about beneficiary action to promote the welfare of children, all over the globe.
Childrens Day in China
The People’s Republic of China celebrated Children’s Day on 1st June every year. There is a rule on this Day that no homework is given to children and schools remain off on this Day.
This Day is seen as a day of opportunities for children as Government of China encourages children to take active part in a variety of activities to strengthen their allegiance to their country.
The Day brings all age groups together to celebrate the cause of “Development for children “and encourage kids to celebrate.
Childrens Day in Japan
National Children s Day in Japan is known as Kodomo no Hi. It is celebrated on May 5. Every family
celebrates the festival with Kashiwamochi (rice cakes filled with red beans and wrapped with oak leaves) and Chimaki (rice cakes wrapped with bamboo leaves).On May 5, Chinese people hang medical herbs from the eaves of the roof in order to repel disease. When the custom came to Japan, people used Shobu (irises) instead since irises were believed to repel evil spirits.
During twelfth century, the custom was influenced by the warrior class. Since another meaning of Shobu is victory or defeat, the practice of giving little boys kites with pictures of warriors on them were spread in Japan. In the Edo period (1600-1868), streamers with pictures of carp were presented to boys. Recently, many families live in apartments not houses. They display small carp streamers or Kabuto at their homes because of limited space.
Childrens Day in Turkey
Children s Day is celebrated on April 23rd every year in Turkey. It is also the day when the Grand Assembly of Turkey was formed in 1920. To commemorate the day, April 23rd is observed as a national holiday. From 1927, the day is also observed as Children s Day by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as he was very fond of children. Along with several domestic events, Turkey also celebrates TRT International April 23 Children s Festival where children from other countries also participate.