Sailor’s Day in 2023: the history and traditions of the holiday
Sailor’s Day is a holiday for maritime transport workers involved in trade. This industry in 2023 is of great importance in the current global economy

When is it customary to celebrate a holiday

The holiday is celebrated all over the world every year. 25 June, but the day off is not specifically declared.

history of the holiday

Navigator’s Day (that’s how it is officially called) was established by the states that are members of the International Maritime Organization, which in turn are members of the United Nations. The resolution was signed at a conference in Manila in 2010.

The holiday emphasizes the importance of the profession of seafarers and is dedicated specifically to seafarers in the civil sphere, whose work is of great importance for the entire world economy. Military sailors have their own professional holiday, celebrated on July 28 – Navy Day.

Holiday traditions

On June 25, numerous festive events are held, during which the workers of water transport are honored: feasts are arranged, certificates, valuable gifts and badges are awarded.

Educational lectures are held that tell about the features of the work of a navigator, educational institutions organize open days to attract applicants and increase knowledge about this industry. Photo exhibitions are held, which exhibit photographs taken by sailors in different parts of the Earth.

Concert events are also held, where guest celebrities perform, documentaries and programs about this profession and the current state of affairs will be shown on television, and the main problems are discussed.

Today, the biggest problem for seafarers is piracy. Many ships suffer from it every year. The main areas of attack by pirates were considered to be the waters of the coast of Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, but now the biggest problems with piracy are found in the waters off the state of Somalia.

Signs and superstitions of sailors

Sailors have developed their own superstitions and signs over the centuries of water trips, many of them arose as a result of observing natural phenomena, others are similar to our usual superstitions, and still others are based on the coincidence of many factors that happened in history, so just in case they try to avoid.

For example, in England it is believed that going to sea on Friday (especially on the 13th) is a bad omen. And in Our Country, many sailors are convinced that when leaving on Monday, many problems will await them on the voyage.

There is also an opinion that you can’t whistle on deck – you can call a storm. And to call on the wind, you need to scrape the mast.

There was a tradition in the fleet when, when passing the southern Gogland lighthouse (a lighthouse in the Gulf of Finland on the island of Gogland), sailors threw a coin as a tribute for a successful voyage. In general, there are many beliefs associated with gifts to the gods of water – at all times they tried to appease them so that luck would not leave the ship and crew throughout the entire campaign.

On the deck usually get up with the right foot.

The ship’s logbook never indicates in advance the port to which the ship is on its way, it is noted only upon arrival.

On the upper deck you can not be without a hat.

There is also a belief that a sailor with multi-colored eyes is unfortunately on the water. Like the woman on the ship. But the child is fortunate.

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