National Culture Consciousness Week By Sharon Schweitzer “Culture is one of the two or three most complicated words in the English language,” (Raymond Williams, 1976, pg. 87). Culture does not consist of just one set description or definition. It is a concept that varies from one person to the next. Culture can be as [...]
International Day of Parliamentarism By Sharon Schweitzer Parliamentary diplomacy is a way to build relationships and promote cooperation between national parliaments. Many parliaments encourage their members to participate in inter-parliamentary organizations, bilateral exchanges, and other parliamentary diplomacy initiatives. In this way Parliamentarians can represent their countries' interests, foster dialogue and cooperation with counterparts [...]
Anthony Bourdain Day By Sharon Schweitzer “Southeast Asia has a real grip on me. From the very first time I went there, it was a fulfillment of my childhood fantasies of the way travel should be.” -Anthony Bourdain Anthony Bourdain-chef and writer, traveled the world with humility, humanity, curiosity, humor, and with [...]
International Olympic Day By Sharon Schweitzer In 1947, a member of the International Olympics Committee in Czechoslovakia, Dr. Josef Gruss, presented a report about World Olympic Day in Stockholm. Later in the 42nd I.O.C. Session at St Moritz in January 1948, the idea for Olympic Day was adopted. With mutual consultation, June 23rd [...]
World Day of Music By Sharon Schweitzer From the oldest musical instrument in the world — the Neanderthal flute, made by Neanderthals 60,000 years ago — to present-day electronic instruments, music has become a significant part of our daily lives. Other than being pleasant to listen to, music is a form of expression [...]
International Sushi Day By Sharon Schweitzer To find the origins of sushi we must look at a dish called narezushi. Narezushi is salted fish stored in fermented rice for months at a time. Southeast Asia and Japan both had their own version of the dish, the rice was discarded and the fish was [...]
Father’s Day By Sharon Schweitzer We hold an incredibly special place in our hearts for our fabulous fathers and we observe with intrigue as cultures worldwide celebrate father figures. U.S. Americans prepare to honor fathers, father-figures, and male role-models on Sunday, June 16th, 2024, and we share the unique traditions of ten countries [...]
Honoring Old Glory: Flag Protocol on National Flag Day By Sharon Schweitzer Annually, on June 14, the United States celebrates the Star Spangled Banner on National Flag Day. Celebrated on the anniversary of the Flag Resolution, signed by the Second Continental Congress in 1777, US citizens are called to hoist the stars and [...]
5 Tips for Sustainable Travel By Sharon Schweitzer The Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations emphasize numerous criteria for responsible travel. Many travelers have inquired about the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria. The GSTC provides a set of minimum requirements that a tourism business or destination must aspire to for approval: environmentally friendly [...]
Dragon Boat Festival By Sharon Schweitzer The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday with more than two thousand years of history. It begins on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Because the fifth month is considered an unlucky time of year, many traditions [...]