On January 13, Ukrainians celebrate the Old New Year together with Shchedry vecher or the Malanka holiday and the Day of Public Radio Broadcasting. The world celebrates Poetry Break Day and Clean Desk Day.
On January 13, 1990, mass pogroms of the Armenian population began in Baku after a rally of Azerbaijani nationalists.
On January 13, 2022, the national security adviser to the US president, Jake Sullivan, made an alarming statement, stressing that “the probability of a military invasion of Ukraine remains high.”
Old New Year, Generous evening or Malanka holiday
On January 13, Ukrainians celebrate one of the most colorful holidays of the winter cycle – the Old New Year, which symbolically turns into the night from January 13 to 14. This holiday has a unique history, because it arose as a result of the calendar reform: the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars is 13 days. After the introduction of the new calendar, the tradition of celebrating the New Year in the old style was preserved, and this day became an additional reason for celebrations.
January 13 is also called Generous Evening or the holiday of Malanka. It is the eve of the day of St. Basil the Great, who was considered the patron saint of agriculture and prosperity. The holiday of Malanka is accompanied by cheerful folk rites that originate in pagan tradition. The main tradition of this day is giving – theatrical events, during which participants go from house to house, greet the owners with songs, and wish them health and well-being.
During the giving, the rite of “driving the Malanka” must be performed. Usually the young man changes into a woman’s costume, playing the role of Malanka, and his companions are “goat”, “grandfather”, “gypsy”, “soldier” and other colorful characters. Such dressing adds holy humor and vivacity, creating an atmosphere of general joy. “Goats” are a part of the celebration of Malanka Vodinnia, which symbolizes the pre-Christian rite of worshiping animals as a symbol of harvest and fertility.
Another tradition of the Generous Evening is the setting of a rich table. Housewives prepare festive dishes, among which there must be kutya – the main dish of the winter holidays, which symbolizes family unity and honoring ancestors. The dishes of this evening are often called “generous”, because they should be hearty and varied.
The Old New Year is not only a reason to celebrate the beginning of the year again, but also an opportunity to join the deep folk traditions, full of humor, joy and light, which are passed down from generation to generation, adding color to the winter celebrations. This holiday is a great opportunity to get together with relatives, give warmth and good wishes to each other, and touch the rich cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people.
Day of public broadcasting
This holiday emphasizes the importance of radio as a means of mass information and a tool for the formation of a democratic society. It is a symbol of an independent, objective and transparent media that serves the interests of the community, helping to unite people and spread important knowledge.
Public broadcasting plays a unique role in today’s world. It provides access to information, supports cultural exchange and promotes understanding of diversity of opinion. Unlike commercial stations, public radio is not focused on profit, but on meeting the informational, cultural and educational needs of citizens.
January 13 is not only an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of radio to the development of society, but also a time to remind about the importance of preserving the independence of radio broadcasting and its adaptation to the modern challenges of the digital age.
Interesting facts
Public radio first emerged in the 1920s as an alternative means of communication free from commercial or government control.
One of the most famous examples of public broadcasting is the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922.
In today’s world, public radio operates in many countries and serves as a defender of public interests, providing a wide range of programs – from news to educational and cultural programs.
Radio remains one of the most widespread means of communication: according to UNESCO, it reaches 95% of the world’s population.
Thanks to digital technology, public radio is increasingly integrated with the Internet, offering listeners access to programming online and through podcasts.
Day of poetry break
This is a special celebration dedicated to the power of poetry as a source of inspiration, emotional connection and creative expression. This day reminds us of the importance of stopping in the everyday rhythm of life to enjoy the beauty of words and rhymes, to create something of our own or to immerse ourselves in the magic of already written poetic works.
The day of poetry break encourages to break away from everyday affairs for at least a short time and find peace in the lines of poems. It can be reading your favorite poetry, writing a few lines from the heart, or even participating in thematic events, such as poetry evenings, writers’ meetings, or open mics for creativity.
Interesting facts
Poetry is considered one of the oldest types of literary art: the first examples of poetic texts appeared in ancient cultures more than 4 thousand years ago.
Reading poetry has a therapeutic effect: studies have shown that it reduces stress levels and improves mood.
Many famous writers began their careers precisely by writing poems, which helped them develop a talent for creating vivid images and rhythmic language.
In school curricula in various countries, poetry is studied as a means of developing empathy, creativity and speech.
Thanks to social networks, poetry today has received a new lease of life: short, insightful poems are gaining millions of readers around the world.
Clean desktop day
The second Monday of January is celebrated worldwide as Clean Desktop Day. This holiday became an important reminder that an organized workplace affects our productivity, mood and even physical health. At the beginning of the new year, this day motivates you to organize your space, get rid of unnecessary things and set yourself up for efficient work.
A clean desk promotes concentration and helps you complete tasks faster. An orderly workplace creates an impression of organization and professionalism, which can positively affect relationships with colleagues and clients. Also, cleaning the table can become a kind of “reboot”, which adds energy and helps to cope with stress.
To celebrate this day, it is enough to allocate time to clean your workspace. Sorting documents, organizing small items and removing unnecessary things are the first steps to creating a comfortable work environment. You can also add something pleasant to the table, for example, a small plant or a photo of loved ones, to make the space more cozy and inspiring.
Interesting facts
Clean Desk Day was introduced to remind employees at the beginning of the year about the importance of organizing space.
On average, people spend about 4.5 hours every week searching for the right things in the clutter.
An organized workplace can increase productivity by 20-30%.
Physically cleaning the table has a positive effect on the psyche, helping to reduce stress levels and improve concentration.
Some companies even have a “clean desk” policy, requiring employees to leave the workplace tidy after each work day.
Memorable events on this day
1610 – Galileo Galilei made a significant contribution to astronomy by discovering the fourth moon of Jupiter, which was later named Callisto. This discovery became part of his revolutionary research on celestial bodies.
1681 – The Bakhchisarai Peace Treaty was signed between the Ottoman Empire, the Crimean Khanate and the Muscovite Kingdom. He summarized the war of 1676–1681, during which the Ottoman Empire recognized Ukraine as Muscovy.
1854 – Faas Anthony from Philadelphia patented the accordion, a new musical instrument that later gained popularity in various cultures around the world.
1919 – In Kyiv, the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic approved the law on the call of the military to active service, which became an important step in strengthening the army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
1934 – In the Soviet Union, the scientific degree “candidate of sciences” was introduced, which became a new system of attestation of scientists.
1936 – The trial of members of the OUN ended in Warsaw. Stepan Bandera, Mykola Lebid and Yaroslav Karpynets were sentenced to death, which was later replaced by life imprisonment.
1942 – Forced deportation of the population to Germany as ostarbeiters began in Ukraine. This page of history left a deep mark in the memory of the Ukrainian people.
1943 – Adolf Hitler issued a directive on the total mobilization of material and human resources of Germany for the continuation of the Second World War.
1949 – Soviet propaganda spread fake information about the alleged existence in the USA of a plan to attack the USSR under the code name “Operation Dropshot”.
1950 – The USSR began a boycott of the UN Security Council after the rejection of the proposal to replace the Republic of China with the communist government of the People’s Republic of China.
1965 – In the USA, Governor of Minnesota Carl Rolvag and Mayor of Minneapolis Artur Naftalin signed proclamations declaring January 22 as “Ukrainian Independence Day”.
1991 – In Vilnius, the KGB unit “Alfa” stormed the city’s TV center and TV tower, resulting in the death of 15 Lithuanians and one special agent. This day in Lithuania is celebrated as the day of defense of freedom.
1992 – Ukraine established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Sweden, and also received recognition of independence from the Republic of Cyprus.
2000 – Bill Gates, co-founder and long-time head of Microsoft, announced his resignation from the position of the company’s head.
2010 – The Court of Appeal of Kyiv found Stalin, Molotov, Kaganovich and others guilty of organizing the genocide of Ukrainians, but closed the case due to their deaths.
2015 – The terrorist attack near Volnovakha during the Russian aggression against Ukraine became one of the tragic symbols of the ongoing war.
Mass pogroms of the Armenian population
On January 13, 1990, mass pogroms of the Armenian population began in Baku after a rally of Azerbaijani nationalists. These tragic events left a deep mark in the history of the region and became one of the symbols of inter-ethnic tensions that erupted against the background of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
According to various estimates, from 48 to 90 people became victims of the pogroms, although some sources call the figure up to 300 dead. Human rights organizations note that these violent acts were not completely spontaneous: the attackers had lists of Armenians and their addresses, which indicates a certain organization of these attacks.
The pogroms became a harbinger of the events that later went down in history as “Black January.” Already on January 20, Soviet troops entered Baku, which became an unprecedented event for the USSR: for the first time in peacetime, the army stormed a Soviet city. The result of this military operation was the death, according to various sources, of 131 to 170 civilians. Also, thousands were wounded, and about 220,000 Armenians were forced to leave their homes, becoming refugees.
These events were not only a tragedy for individual people, but also a reflection of the systemic inter-ethnic tension that arose due to the short-sighted policy of the Soviet authorities in the field of national relations. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to this day, periodically turning into heated phases, leaving open wounds in the region and forcing the international community to look for ways to a peaceful settlement.
The tragedy of January 13 is a reminder of the dangers of nationalism, intolerance, and the importance of dialogue and conflict prevention efforts. It remains an important lesson for history, emphasizing the need to protect human rights and respect ethnic diversity.
Funny situation with George Bush
On January 13, 2002, while watching the National Football League game between Baltimore and Miami, US President George W. Bush got into a funny situation. He choked on a pretzel – a salty pretzel, passed out for a few seconds and injured his face when he fell. This event caused a wide resonance and became an occasion for numerous jokes.
Dr. Harry Heimlich, known for his method of assisting strangulation, said the president’s fall may have saved his life. According to the doctor, the damage to the face indicated that the president fell face down, which helped to clear the airway of a stuck piece of food.
Bush himself humorously commented on the incident, addressing his mother: “Mom, you were always right. When eating salty pretzels, always chew well before swallowing”.
The story became the subject of jokes in the media and entertainment shows. NBC anchor «Tonight Show» Jay Leno noted: “In recent days, all the attention of the president’s team was focused on Osama bin Laden, and he was almost killed by Mr. Salty.” When the president passed out, everyone started looking for the vice president, but realized that no one knew in which secret hideout he was hiding.”.
The French also joined the ironic discussion, leaving a message on the FBI website: “Salty pretzels are wanted for the attempted assassination of the US president while he was peacefully watching a football match. It’s a killing machine that knows no mercy.”.
Ukrainian humor was also not left behind, recalling the words of Ostap Bender: “Thoroughly chewing your food, you help society”.
Despite the funnyness of the situation, this incident unexpectedly contributed to the popularization of pretzels – a traditional Bavarian snack – in America. He was even given a humorous nickname “Mr. Salty”. This little pretzel, through which it is said you can see the sun three times, has become a symbol of curiosity, discussed with a smile around the world.
This story is a reminder that even random adventures can turn into fun conversations and unexpected popularity. And of course, confirms the old truth: chew carefully!
Jake Sullivan’s disturbing statement
January 13, 2022 became an important date in the context of international politics and the security situation around Ukraine. On this day, the national security advisor to the US president, Jake Sullivan, made an alarming statement, stressing that “the probability of a military invasion of Ukraine remains high.” These words became another warning about increasing tension due to the accumulation of Russian troops near the Ukrainian borders.
On the same day, the representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrell, made an important statement following the informal meeting of the defense ministers of the EU countries. He resolutely rejected Russia’s proposals for further non-expansion of NATO and the withdrawal of Alliance forces from countries bordering Russia. Borrell emphasized that this position of the Russian Federation is unacceptable, and all EU member states unanimously support this opinion.
The statements were part of a wider diplomatic response to the escalation by Russia, which has caused concern around the world. The governments of the USA, EU countries and other partners of Ukraine emphasized the importance of unity in the face of challenges related to the aggressive policy of the Kremlin. January 13, 2022 was another reminder of the need for consolidated efforts to maintain international peace and stability.
