Celebrating Fatherhood: Belarus' Father's Day In February

Father's Day in Belarus is celebrated on 21 October. The holiday was established by President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who signed Decree No. 198 on 9 June 2022. The initiative to establish Father's Day was first put forward during the president's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The date was chosen as it follows Mother's Day on 14 October, and the period from 14 to 21 October is referred to as a parents' week, highlighting traditional family values.

Father's Day in Belarus is on 21 October

The idea for a Father's Day celebration was first proposed during President Lukashenko's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The president supported the idea and instructed the government to develop the necessary documents.

By establishing Father's Day on 21 October, Belarus now has a week dedicated to celebrating parents, with Mother's Day being observed on 14 October. This week is intended to highlight traditional family values and the importance of family-oriented policies pursued by the government.

In addition to Belarus, several other countries celebrate Father's Day on different dates, including Lithuania, Switzerland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and many others. While the day is often observed on the third Sunday of June in many countries, some nations, like Belarus, have chosen specific dates that hold cultural or historical significance.

It was established in 2022

Father's Day in Belarus is celebrated on 21 October. This holiday was established in 2022 when the initiative to celebrate it was put forward during the president's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The head of state, President Aleksandr Lukashenko, supported the idea and instructed the government to develop an appropriate document.

The date of 21 October was chosen because Belarus has a long-standing tradition of celebrating Mother's Day on 14 October. Thus, the period from 14 to 21 October is referred to as a parents' week, with events that highlight traditional family values and the importance of family policy pursued by the government. The establishment of Father's Day in Belarus amended Decree No. 157 "On national holidays, public holidays, commemorative dates in the Republic of Belarus" as of 26 March 1998.

The addition of Father's Day to the Belarusian calendar brings it in line with many other countries that celebrate this holiday. While the date varies across the world, with different regions maintaining their traditions, it is a recognised public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain and was a national holiday in Italy until 1977. Estonia, Samoa, and South Korea also celebrate a national Parents' Day.

In Catholic countries of Europe, Saint Joseph's Day on 19 March has been celebrated as Father's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United States, the holiday was founded in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd in the state of Washington. In the Coptic Orthodox Church, Father's Day is observed on 20 July, while in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Sunday before Nativity is dedicated to commemorating Christ's ancestors, including Abraham.

It is a week after Mother's Day

Father's Day in Belarus is celebrated on 21 October. This date was chosen because Belarus has a long history of celebrating Mother's Day on 14 October, and so the period from 14 to 21 October is referred to as a parents' week. This week is meant to highlight traditional family values and the importance of family policy.

The establishment of Father's Day as a holiday in Belarus was proposed during President Aleksandr Lukashenko's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The president supported the idea and instructed the government to develop a document to make it official. On 9 June 2022, President Lukashenko signed Decree No. 198, establishing Father's Day as a holiday in Belarus.

The week between Mother's Day and Father's Day is a special time for families in Belarus. It is an opportunity to honour and celebrate the important role that parents play in their children's lives and in society. During this week, families come together to express their love and gratitude for their parents and to reinforce their bonds. It is a time to reflect on the values that are passed down from one generation to the next and to appreciate the significance of family in shaping individuals and communities.

Traditionally, families in Belarus engage in various activities during this week to honour their parents. Children may prepare handmade gifts, cards, or special meals for their fathers, just as they do for their mothers the week before. Families may also gather for meals, picnics, or outdoor activities to celebrate their fathers and create lasting memories. It is a time for storytelling, sharing family histories, and passing down traditions from one generation to the next.

In addition to family gatherings, communities across Belarus organise events that promote and celebrate traditional family values. These events can include cultural performances, exhibitions, or educational programmes that highlight the importance of family and the role of parents in shaping society. It is a time when people from all walks of life come together to recognise the significance of family and to strengthen the bonds that unite them.

It is a national holiday

Father's Day in Belarus is a national holiday. It was established in 2022 by President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who signed Decree No. 198 to mark the occasion annually on 21 October. The decree amended the document "On national holidays, public holidays, commemorative dates in the Republic of Belarus", which was established on 26 March 1998.

The idea for a Father's Day celebration was first proposed during President Lukashenko's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The president supported the initiative and instructed the government to develop the necessary documents. The choice of date for Father's Day was intentional, as Belarus has traditionally celebrated Mother's Day on 14 October, and the week from 14 to 21 October will now be known as Parents' Week. This dedicated week aims to emphasise traditional family values and the importance of family-oriented policies pursued by the government.

Father's Day in Belarus is part of a broader global tradition of honouring fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. The day is celebrated on various dates around the world, with different regions adopting their own unique traditions. In Catholic countries of Europe, for example, it has been customary to celebrate Father's Day on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United States, the holiday was founded in the state of Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. While it is not a national holiday in the US, it is recognised as a public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain. Estonia, Samoa, and South Korea (where it is celebrated as Parents' Day) also observe Father's Day as a national holiday.

In Belarus, Father's Day is one of several nationally recognised holidays. Other holidays include Constitution Day on 15 March, Union Day with Russia on 2 April, Victory Day commemorating World War II, Independence Day on 3 July, and People's Unity Day on 17 September.

It is a day to honour fathers and fatherhood

Father's Day in Belarus is celebrated on 21 October. It is a day to honour fathers and fatherhood, as well as paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. The holiday is a complement to Mother's Day, which is celebrated on 14 October in Belarus, and the period from 14 to 21 October is referred to as Parents' Week. This week is meant to highlight traditional family values and the importance of family policy.

Father's Day is a holiday that is celebrated worldwide, although the date varies across different countries and regions. In some countries, it is a public holiday, while in others it is not. For example, in Lithuania, Estonia, Samoa, and South Korea, Father's Day is a recognised public holiday. In the United States, Father's Day was founded in the state of Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910 and is typically celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In the United Kingdom, it is celebrated on the same day but is not a public holiday.

The idea of Father's Day is to honour fathers and celebrate their role in our lives. It is a day to express gratitude and love towards fathers and to recognise the importance of fatherhood. Traditionally, children give gifts, cards, or handmade items to their fathers, and families gather for meals or special outings. In some countries, schools organise activities for students to make gifts for their fathers or father figures.

In Belarus, the establishment of Father's Day as a holiday was proposed during President Aleksandr Lukashenko's address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 28 January 2022. The proposal was supported by the head of state, and a decree was signed to establish the holiday. The choice of date, 21 October, is significant as it follows Mother's Day and creates a week dedicated to honouring parents and family values.

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