April 9: World Antiques Day, Muslims end the holy month of Ramadan

Today, on April 9, collectors of antiques and connoisseurs of rarities can join the celebration of World Antiques Day, UNN writes.

The culture of collecting originated in ancient Egypt.

The modern concept of antiques was acquired in the Renaissance, in the XV-XVI centuries. The most desirable artifacts for collectors were relics of antiquity, so even then, fakes "in the style of antiquity" were sometimes found.

In addition, it became common for wealthy people to commission paintings or sculptures from the best masters. The Medici in Florence, the Habsburgs in Austria, and other noble families of the time laid the foundation for impressive collections of art. Some of the Renaissance collections later became the basis for major museums, while others remained private and were passed down from generation to generation.

In the eighteenth century, the world's first auction houses, Sotheby's and Christie's, were founded in the UK, and they still exist today. They are the largest antiques trading platform, and together they account for 90% of the world's trade in the rarest and most valuable relics.

At the same time, many fake artifacts appeared, including manuscripts. Therefore, antique items began to be examined for their origin and age with the help of special expertise.

After the Second World War, international agreements were adopted to regulate the legal circulation of antiques and restrict trade in them on the black market.

Also today, on the second Tuesday of April, you can join the celebration of the Day of Kindness to Lawyers.

The event was founded, among other things, to remind people of the importance of the rule of law and the role lawyers play in upholding it. Lawyers are essential to the functioning of society as they help to ensure that laws are upheld and justice is done.

On April 9, we can celebrate a somewhat unusual holiday - the International ASMR Day.  

ASMR is an autonomous sensory meridian response, which is expressed in the pleasant tingling sensation that some people experience in response to certain sounds or visual stimuli.

ASMR videos, which typically feature soft whispers, gentle tapping, and other soothing sounds, have become incredibly popular on platforms like YouTube, with millions of viewers looking to them to relax and de-stress.

According to this year's lunar calendar, the end of the holy month of Ramadan falls on April 9 for Muslims around the world. On the night of April 9 to 10, the first day of the month of Shawwal, Muslims begin to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the end of the 30-day fast.

Four days before the holiday, housewives begin to thoroughly clean the house, clean the cattle, and clean the yard. All family members take part in these preparations. On the same days, people visit cemeteries and clean up the graves of their loved ones. Children are sewn or bought new clothes and shoes in advance. They cook national dishes and bake sweets.

Before the holiday, all family members must bathe and put on clean underwear.

The children take all the food they have prepared at home to their neighbors, and they exchange holiday dishes.

According to the New Julian Orthodox calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of the Martyr Eupsychius, who lived in Caesarea during the time of Emperor Julian the Apostate.

Euphrasius fought decisively against the pagans and, together with other Christians, destroyed their temples.

For this, he was captured and tortured for a long time. However, the man did not renounce his faith in the Lord and died in agony.

Vadym, Yevhen, Tamara, and Mariia celebrate their name days on April 9.