It is difficult to overestimate the negative impact of alcohol on the human body. In our country, there are many public and charitable organizations involved in helping alcoholics and promoting a healthy lifestyle. And twice a year, the Day of Sobriety is celebrated – throughout Our Country in 2022, thematic events will be held these days, aimed at educating the population about the dangers of alcohol.
When is the holiday celebrated
Sobriety Day in Our Country is celebrated at two levels – all- (on September 11) and international (3 October). In 2022, the celebration will take place in many cities.
history of the holiday
All- Day of Sobriety is celebrated in our country annually on September 11. The history of this holiday dates back to the 1913th century, namely in XNUMX. At that time, the attitude towards alcohol in Our Country was ambiguous. Under Nicholas II, the exclusive right to produce alcoholic beverages belonged to the state. Our Country was considered one of the most sober countries in the world – it was impossible to produce alcohol on your own, and it was very difficult to buy wine from the royal wineries. But by the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the amount of alcohol sold and consumed in the country had reached the highest levels in the entire history of the state. This was facilitated by technological progress, which made it possible to establish a stream production of cheap alcohol – mainly vodka. Underground producers bypassed the royal decree, providing fiery water to everyone who was ready to pay a few kopecks for it.
In the same period, an active temperance movement arose, initiated by the Orthodox Church. Members of sobriety societies promoted a life without alcohol: they held educational talks, distributed leaflets and periodicals. One of the significant results of such educational work was the holiday – the Day of Sobriety, which was held annually from 1913 until the revolution. September 11 was chosen as the date of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. According to the Gospel, it was on this day that John the Baptist, on the orders of King Herod, was beheaded during a drunken feast. On September 11, believers must observe a strict fast, including not drinking alcohol. On this day, the sale of intoxicants was stopped, religious processions were held. Those suffering from alcohol addiction asked for healing from the Inexhaustible Chalice icon, many took vows of sobriety.
In the post-revolutionary years, the Day of Sobriety was abolished due to its church origin, and the Soviet government began to pursue an anti-alcohol policy at the state level. The holiday returned to modern Our Country in 2005 – again at the suggestion of the Orthodox Church.
Simultaneously with Our Country, the struggle for sobriety was carried out in the United States. In the late XIX – early XX centuries, before the introduction of Prohibition in 1920, America had its own holiday of sobriety. He is associated with the name of John Finch, a public figure and an active fighter against drunkenness – Finch’s parents suffered from this disease. During his short life, he managed to organize several dozen teetotaling organizations, conduct hundreds of educational lectures and seminars, at which he spoke about the dangers of alcohol. John Finch died on October 3, 1887, and numerous followers continued his work, promoting a healthy lifestyle in their own country and abroad. Since then, October 3 is annually celebrated as World Sobriety Day, the idea of this holiday is supported by dozens of countries, including Our Country. Therefore, today in our country the Day of sobriety is celebrated twice a year – both on September 11 and on October 3.
Holiday traditions
On both dates, on which it is customary in our country to celebrate Sobriety Day, charities and public organizations hold city events that promote a healthy lifestyle and call for limiting alcohol consumption.
Often these are sporting events – bike rides, marathons, passing TRP standards. On the basis of schools and universities open lectures, discussions and round tables devoted to the problems of alcoholism are held. Thematic exhibitions are organized in museums – among the exhibits are the famous cast-iron Peter’s medals “For drunkenness” (their weight is about 7 kg), historical documents, pre-revolutionary leaflets and brochures of sobriety societies.
NUMBERS
5 place Our Country ranks in the ranking of countries in terms of the amount of alcohol consumed per capita (for 2017). The stereotype that Our Country is the most drinking country is not confirmed: Lithuania took the first place in this top.
41 country at the state level banned the sale of strong alcohol in stores (as of 2019). These countries include India, Iceland, Egypt and Sweden.
2,5 млн A person dies every year due to excessive alcohol consumption.
5 facts about alcohol
- Saratov was recognized as the most drinking city in Our Country in 2018. In second place – Khanty-Mansiysk, in third – Perm. St. Petersburg in this anti-rating took 11th place, Moscow – 16th.
- Vodka is the most widely used alcoholic drink in the world. More than 5 billion liters are drunk annually. And on January 31, the birthday of vodka is celebrated – it was on this day in 1865 that Dmitry Mendeleev defended his doctoral dissertation “On the combination of alcohol with water.”
- Alcohol has a negative effect on the intellect by inhibiting the brain. If you use strong drinks on a regular basis, the intellect will constantly be underestimated.
- The life expectancy of a person who regularly consumes alcohol is greatly reduced. Drinking people live an average of 10-15 years less.
- Alcohol is highly addictive. Even using it in small, “moderate” doses threatens to cause a strong dependence.