March 8, 2018 – Today is International Woman’s Day around the world. I do not remember it being celebrated in the States when we lived there, but it is celebrated here.
The History of the Day:
International Women's Day(IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It commemorates the movement for women's rights. While the first observance of a Women's Day was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Woman's Conference to become an "International Woman's Day." After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations. (Wikipedia)
So it was all about the struggle to gain for women the rights that men have. I get that and I am for that but that is not how it is celebrated in Bulgaria. Here it is a combination of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. It is all about giving nice things to the women around you. We have all kinds of folks selling flowers on every street corner – You see people carrying plants and bouquets all day long to people. Candy and sweets are also given. I hear no one talking about equality and rights but rather it’s all about giving something nice to the ladies in your life.
And that is a GOOD THING!
In Bulgaria where they do not officially have Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day it is good. (And Diane gets stuff for all three days - She is the lucky one!)
Being part of a church that values woman and who see woman as being equal to lead and serve is amazing. It is good to know that we appreciate woman all the time not just one day a year!
So to all the Ladies reading this – I hope you have a great International Woman’s Day!
This week pray for…
…the details for this year’s first every Family Camp with our churches in Bulgaria
…the up-coming annual meetings of the churches in early April.
…the Sweets and their language classes – Pray that they will pick up the language quickly!