Backgrounder: Children's holidays around the world

Besides International Children's Day on June 1 and Universal Children's Day on Nov. 20, many countries have local children's holidays celebrated on other dates.

In Japan, children are very lucky to have three children's holidays. On Mar. 3, the "Girl's Day", families with daughters will decorate their houses with fine traditional dolls to bless their daughters. The "Boy's Day" falls on May 5, when families with sons will hang colorful carp streamers outside their houses. Nov. 15 is also a holiday for Japanese children aged three, five or seven, as children at these ages are traditionally considered to be particularly lucky in Japan.

"Boy's Day" and "Girl's Day" can also be found in Sweden. "Boy's Day," on Aug. 7, is also known as the "Lobster Festival", which means the boys are expected to learn the courageous spirit from the lobster. "Girl's Day" falls on Dec. 13, also "Saint Lucia's Day". During the day, girls will dress up like Saint Lucia, who is revered for her love and kindness to girls.

July 4 is a children's holiday in Colombia, with a tradition of children wearing clown masks.

Brazil's Children's Day falls on Aug. 15, which is also the "National Immunization Day". In addition, Brazil's "Our Lady of Aparecida Day" on Oct. 12 is also celebrated as a children's holiday.

Africa's Children's Day falls on Jun. 16, when children in many African countries put on various performances like singing and dancing.

Children's Day is also celebrated on Jan. 15 in Spain, April 23 in Turkey, July 14 in Britain, Oct. 1 in Singapore, and Nov. 14 in India.

Even though celebrated in different days, Children's Day wherever and whenever it is held aims to show love for children worldwide.

Source:Xinhua