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April: Festivals & Observances
Welcome to our April newsletter, where we embark on a captivating exploration of essential values and cultural events that shape our world. This month, we delve into the profound significance of Respect (孝), highlighting its role in fostering harmonious relationships and nurturing empathy within our community. As we pay tribute to Earth Day (地球日), we underscore the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability, instilling in our young learners a sense of responsibility towards our planet. Additionally, we honor the traditions of the Qingming Festival (清明节), reflecting on remembrance and honoring ancestors to deepen our appreciation of cultural heritage and familial bonds. And let's not forget to extend our warmest wishes to those observing Ramadan (斋月), promoting inclusivity and understanding as we delve into the significance of fasting and spiritual reflection. Join us on this enlightening journey as we embrace diversity, cultivate empathy, and celebrate the values that unite us all.
| April Educational Assets | April Festival Overview | April Language List | April Value of the Month |
2nd April - International Children's Book Day - 2 April is Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday and since 1967 International Children’s Book Day has been celebrated on or around this day to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Each year the Day is sponsored by a different country member of the International Board on Books for Young People. It decides on a theme and invites an author from that country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster.
2nd April - World Autism Awareness Day - Every April Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. This year marks the 17th annual World Autism Awareness Day. Throughout the month, we focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism and fostering worldwide support. This year, we are committed to acting fearlessly for change. To help create a world in which autistic individuals are fully supported, championed and celebrated, we must all work together to achieve true acceptance.
4th April - International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action - This Day raises awareness of the threat caused by landmines to the safety, health and lives of civilian populations, and encourages state Governments to develop mine clearing programmes.
You can find out more about the Day from the UN’s International Day for Mine Awareness web pages.
9th - 10th April - Eid-al-Fitr - Eid-al-Fitr (also known simply as Eid or Id) is celebrated on the day of the first new moon after Ramadan, and marks the end of a month of fasting. As well as celebrating the end of fasting, Muslims also express thanks to Allah for giving them strength to practise self-restraint during the previous month. It is also a time for giving to charity, wearing your best clothes, eating a celebratory meal together (in daylight, for the first time in a month!). There are special prayer services held outdoors and in mosques.
12th April - International Day for Street Children - The International Day for Street Children: Louder Together was launched on 12th April 2011, to give a louder voice to the millions of street children all around the world so their rights cannot be ignored.
22nd April - International Mother Earth Day - International Mother Earth Day (also known simply as Earth Day) recognises that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance. It also aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations.
23rd April - St. George's Day - Saint George is the patron saint of England in a tradition established in the Tudor period, based in the saint's popularity during the times of the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War. Veneration of the saint in folk religion declined in the 18th century. Attempts to revive the celebration of Saint George's Day (23 April) as an expression of English culture and identity date from the foundation of Royal Society of St. George in 1894. Since the beginning of the 2010s, such efforts have resulted in St George's Day celebrations with aspects of a national holiday in England.
23rd April - World Book and Copyright Day - The idea for celebrating this day originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, St George’s Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold. The date of 23 April is also symbolic for world literature, for on this date and in the same year (1616), Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died.
25th April - World Malaria Day - The aim of World Malaria Day is to provide education and understanding of malaria as a global scourge that is preventable and a disease that is curable.
Further information is available on the World Malaria Day web page from the World Health Organisation.
