Holidays – 13th of May

This holiday celebrates the extraordinary work of the Furaha Centre in Kenya, established in 2016 by Polish expatriate Marek Krakus and his Kenyan wife Jadlyne Makena. After more than two decades living and working in Kenya, this remarkable couple founded a center dedicated to providing occupational therapy for children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental challenges.

World Furaha Day serves as a global awareness campaign, shining light on the often-overlooked needs of children with disabilities while celebrating their potential and resilience. The word "furaha" means "joy" in Swahili, perfectly capturing the center's mission to bring happiness and hope to families facing these challenges.

The celebration spans continents, with synchronized events in both Kenya and Europe. Concerts fill the air with music, exhibitions showcase the children's remarkable abilities, and adaptive sports competitions demonstrate that limitations exist only in our minds. These activities aren't just fundraisers—they're powerful reminders that every child deserves opportunities to thrive.

Behind this global movement stands the Help Furaha Foundation in Krakow, which supports the center's vital work through various projects. This day transforms awareness into action, proving that compassion knows no borders and that small acts of kindness can create ripples of change across the world.

This day celebrates one of the world's most beloved chickpea-based dips, turning a diplomatic dispute into delicious unity. International Hummus Day emerged in 2012 when Ben Lang created the holiday as a peaceful response to the "Hummus War" of 2008, when Lebanon and Israel engaged in a culinary custody battle over who could claim ownership of this ancient Middle Eastern staple.

The holiday transforms what was once a contentious debate into a celebration of shared cultural heritage. Hummus, whose name derives from the Arabic word for chickpea, has been nourishing people across the Mediterranean and Middle East for centuries, with recipes appearing in 13th-century cookbooks.

Today, food enthusiasts worldwide mark the occasion by hosting hummus tastings, sharing family recipes, and experimenting with creative variations beyond the classic tahini blend. Restaurants offer special hummus platters, while home cooks attempt everything from beet-infused purple hummus to dessert versions made with chocolate.

The celebration extends across continents, from traditional Middle Eastern communities to trendy cafes in major cities. Social media buzzes with photos of homemade creations and debates over the perfect consistency. More than just a food holiday, this day promotes hummus as a healthy, protein-rich alternative that brings people together around tables, proving that sometimes the best diplomacy happens through food.

This holiday commemorates one of the most significant Marian apparitions in Catholic history, marking the first visitation of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, on May 13, 1917. Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto were tending sheep when they witnessed what would become the first of six monthly apparitions that transformed their small village into a major pilgrimage destination.

The apparitions carried profound messages about prayer, penance, and peace during the tumultuous period of World War I. Mary reportedly urged the children to pray the rosary daily and revealed what became known as the "Three Secrets of Fatima," including visions of hell, prophecies about future conflicts, and calls for the consecration of Russia. The Catholic Church officially recognized these apparitions in 1930 after extensive investigation.

Today, millions of pilgrims journey to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima annually, with the May 13th celebration drawing the largest crowds. The feast day features special masses, candlelight processions, and the recitation of the rosary. Pope Francis canonized Francisco and Jacinta in 2017, making them the youngest non-martyr saints in Church history. The devotion emphasizes Mary's role as an intercessor for world peace, making this feast particularly relevant during times of global tension.