How Other Countries Celebrate Father's Day
Father's Day, a celebration of fathers and father figures in the lives of their children, is typically seen as a worldwide celebration, a day of gratitude and appreciation for paternal bonds. On this day, many shops run out of a good pair of socks and ties, and opting for breakfast in bed for your old man may seem like the perfect way to go, right? Well, you'd be surprised at how this day is celebrated in some parts of the world. This is how other countries celebrate Father's Day across the globe:
1. Germany
Father's Day celebrations in Germany can take up to four days! This public holiday is a day off work for everybody. Known as Vatertag (also Maennertag), it involves drinking beer and riding a beer bike. For Germans, this day is traditionally a public holiday Thursday, followed by a day off the next day Friday, and then the weekend Saturday and Sunday. This is to allow fathers who took part in the beer festivities to recover and prepare themselves for the next week.
2. Thailand
In Thailand, Father's Day is celebrated on December 5, the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is considered the Father of the Nation. In the past, a great number of Thais would pour onto the streets to honor the King on his birthday, often staying up all night to get a place that's close enough to see the King up close when he would give a speech to the people. Many locals at these events wore yellow shirts, yellow symbolizing the color considered by many Thais to represent Monday, the day of the King's birth in 1927. On this day, the King gives a speech, and fathers throughout the country receive canna flowers, which are believed to be the masculine version of lilies.
3. Nepal
On this day, Nepali people pay homage to their father with their favorite food, clothing, and other dad's favorite stuff. The Nepalese celebration of Father's Day is known as Gokarna Aunsi and is celebrated in late summer each year. Locals celebrate this festival with prayer offerings to the Shiva shrine at Gokarna Temple. People gather at the Gokarna Temple to pray for fathers who have passed away. In celebration of their fathers and as a sign of gratitude, sons place their foreheads on their fathers' feet while daughters place their foreheads on their fathers' hands, and this is why many may say Nepal celebrates it through a forehead ritual.
4. Mexico
The race is on! Father's Day in Mexico consists of fathers partaking in an annual 21km race known as the Carrera Dia del Padre, which takes place at the Bosque de Tlalpan in Mexico City. The day is also celebrated with gifts and celebratory meals. Some families pay tribute to their deceased fathers, grandfathers, and brothers through prayers and observing a moment of silence.
5. France
Father's Day in France is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. It is an observance and not an official public holiday. The French Father's Day originated from cigarette lighters. Flaminaire, a light manufacturer, created Father's Day in France in 1949. The company suggested cigarette lighters as the ideal gift. However, lighters have become less popular and insignificant Father's Day gifts. Modern fathers are given presents such as chocolates and homemade gifts including paintings and handwritten poems. Some families celebrate the day by eating out while others stay at home to prepare special meals.
6. Russia
Father's Day is known as Defender of the Fatherland Day and was traditionally a military commemoration reserved for soldiers who were honored in parades throughout Russia. Russians call it Defender of the Fatherland Day. However, it has now evolved into a day that celebrates all men. On this day, women give gifts to all the important men in their lives.
7. Uruguay
Fathers are honored by hanging skeletons outside their doors as this represents Padre Esqueleto, or Father Skeleton, in folklore. In a nutshell, Uruguay has a Father's Day skeleton tradition. Happy Father's Day to you and yours!