April 6: World Table Tennis Day, International Fire Walking Day
Kyiv • UNN
Most experts believe that table tennis originated in England as a form of tennis. Soon, the game moved from the open air to the indoors - it was played on the floor. Later, the game was played on tables. Simple equipment, and most importantly, the small size of the court allowed you to play anywhere.
Today, on April 6, all table tennis fans can join an event dedicated to the sport - World Table Tennis Day, UNN reports.
Most experts believe that table tennis originated in England as a form of tennis.
Soon, the game moved from the open air to the indoors, where they played on the floor. Later, the game was played on tables. Simple equipment and, most importantly, the small size of the playground allowed you to play anywhere.
There were no defined rules back then. The balls were made of thread, the books on the table were the net, and pieces of thick cardboard were the rackets. For quite a long time, the game was not used as a sport, but only as a means of spending free time and active recreation.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the new game was noticed by the enterprising Parker brothers from the United States, who began to manufacture equipment for it. They even registered a trademark for the game of ping-pong.
Due to the attempts of the two brothers to monopolize their right to table tennis, its popularity fell for a while. However, in 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation was founded and began organizing various competitions. Other companies were able to produce and improve table tennis rackets and tables.
In 1988, this sport became an Olympic sport.
Another event today is related to the Olympic movement - the International Day of Sport for Peace and Development. The event was launched by the United Nations in 2014 with the noble goal of drawing the world's attention to the importance of sport and sports competitions for human development and peaceful relations.
Russia, which cynically uses the idea that sport should unite people, promotes the narrative that "sport is beyond politics," and thus demands that its athletes be allowed to participate in various international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Some representatives of the international sports community support the Russian Federation, but for some reason, they are shy about mentioning that during the war, Russia damaged or completely destroyed more than 350 sports facilities.
Traditionally, on the first Saturday of April, fans of extreme entertainment celebrate the International Day of Fire Walking.
The ancient practice of walking on the hot coals of a fire has existed for more than four thousand years. Its origins can be found in various cultures around the world. From the Savau tribes of the Fiji Islands to Orthodox Christians in Greece, firewalking has served various purposes, such as a rite of passage, a test of faith, or a healing ceremony.
Often shrouded in mysticism, firewalking combines elements of science and psychology. It is based on an understanding of heat conduction and the protective layer of ash over the coals. However, beyond physics, firewalking is a testament to human resilience. It requires a calm and steady mindset, and confidence is a crucial factor in safely crossing the fire path.
Also today, you can join the events on the occasion of Boring-Opitz Syndrome Day.
It is a rare genetic disease that manifests itself in the form of physical abnormalities: curvature of the spine, disorders of internal organs, and developmental delays.
Symptoms of the disease, which was first described in 199, appear in early childhood.
According to doctors, there are currently between 50 and 300 children suffering from this rare disease for which there is no cure. None of the children survive to adulthood.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of St. Eutyches, Patriarch of Constantinople.
The man was born in Asia Minor. He was raised by his Christian grandfather. Eutychius became a monk. In 552 he was elected to the patriarchal throne.
During the next Ecumenical Council, Eutyches discussed various heresies in the ranks of the church, but there were more opponents. Eutyches was deposed as patriarch and sent into exile. Eight years later he returned and became patriarch again.
Yevhen, Yarema, and Pavlo celebrate their name days on April 6.
