a father's special day

This official historical date that pays tribute to fatherhood, inaugurated in the early 20th century, is celebrated worldwide on different dates. Today, march 19th, we can say Happy Fathers' Day! to all fathers from: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Macau, Liechtenstein, Honduras, Bolivia, Andorra and Antwerp (Belgium).

Although this day typically involves giving gifts, family activities and having special dinners, i have to say the only thing i did with my father was having a relaxed everyday dinner at home. Of course i also wished him a good day and a happy father's day, through a text message, when he was at work and gave him a special kiss when he got home!

We should keep things simple nowadays, fighting the materialism and give more importance to the symbolic aspect.
To be honest mothers' day and fathers' day are celebrated differently in our house, the main reason being that both of my grandfathers are no longer with us... so on mothers' day we try to bring all the mothers in the family together, but on fathers' day to avoid the pain and the tears that come from memories we keep it very light and plain.

The most important thing is to tell your father, not only on this day but on every day of your life, that you will always love him.

i love you dad!

defining you

«It's not about who you are. It’s about who you hate.»

a peculiar quote i found on the web (more precisely on twitter) and that got me thinking about life... what really define us? what makes us different from the others?

being a woman

March 8 represents a global celebration of women as the world commemorates the International Women's Day.

We have to see this day as a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements, and demonstrate respect, appreciation and love towards women all around us - mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, girlfriends, fiancés, wives, colleagues, friends...

I'm very proud to be a woman, especially when i live in a society where women have the same rights as men: the right to vote & the right to work. And we have to realize that this was only possible because strong women from our past fought for justice and equality, and struggled for our rights, despite facing many cultural and religious restrictions.

interesting historical facts:
_ 19 September 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the right to vote;
_ 19 March 1911, the very first International Women's Day was instigated by Clara Zetkin, a german jewish socialist - meetings were organized everywhere and while men stayed at home with their children for a change, their wives (the typical housewives) went to the meetings;
_ 1913, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since;
_ 1975, International Women's Day was given official recognition by the United Nations;
_ International Women's Day is marked by a national holiday in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Bulgaria, Armenia, Macedonia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China and Vietnam.

But one thing we have to be aware is that all around the world there are still women that aren't respected. They suffer domestic violence, discrimination and intimidation, and many of them face poverty and social exclusion as well.
Everywhere women are brutalized, kidnapped and trafficked for the sexual commerce!

STOP the TRAFFIK Start freedom!
«...people shouldn't be bought & sold.»

"Women Without Men"
an independent film (2009) by Shirin Neshat;
official selection at the Venice Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival

more information @ http://www.internationalwomensday.com/